HELSINKI, Finland – Team Canada has tapped into three returning players from last year’s IIHF World Junior Championship-winning team in the selection of its team captains.
Forward Brayden Point (Calgary/Moose Jaw, WHL) was named team captain following Canada’s National Junior Team’s autograph session at the team hotel on Christmas Eve. Point, captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL, will be joined by alternate captains Lawson Crouse (Mt. Brydges, Ont./Kingston, OHL) and Joe Hicketts (Kamloops, B.C./Victoria, WHL).
"These three players have set a tremendous example for the rest of our team from the start of our camp,” said head coach Dave Lowry. “The leadership, work ethic and attention to detail shown by Brayden, Lawson and Joe are the standard for their teammates."Canada won gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship on home ice in January. The team has not won in Europe since 2008 – the fourth of five consecutive gold medals for Canada’s National Junior Team from 2005-09.
Canada opens the tournament against the United States on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. ET. Hockey Canada’s official broadcasters, TSN and RDS, are scheduled to broadcast all tournament games; check local listings for details.
For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team, please visit hockeycanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter. The hashtags #WorldJuniors, #allheartcanada, and #HereWeGo will be used on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to help fans follow and connect with the team.