The esteemed position of captain for the upcoming World Hockey Championship has been bestowed upon John Tavares, the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. This proclamation was announced on Saturday, much to the delight of hockey enthusiasts nationwide.
Tavares’ appointment as captain comes swiftly after his recent inclusion in the championship roster, following his team’s elimination from the NHL playoffs just a week ago. This will mark Tavares’ fourth appearance at the event, with his last participation dating back to 2012. Assisting him in leading the team as assistant captains are Andrew Mangiapane from the Flames, Colton Parayko from the Blues, and Damon Severson from the Blue Jackets.
The 33-year-old Tavares boasts an impressive track record in international competitions, with previous contributions to Canada’s gold medal triumphs at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, as well as at the 2008 and 2009 world junior hockey championships. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Canada’s championship victory at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
Canada commenced their journey in the 2024 championship with a strong start, securing a 4-2 victory over Great Britain in Prague. However, Tavares did not participate in this particular game. The team is now preparing to confront Denmark, Austria, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, and the host country Czechia in the preliminary round, leading up to the highly anticipated medal games on May 26.
It is evident that hockey enthusiasts will closely monitor not only Tavares’ performance, but also the overall progress of the Canadian team in the championship. Stay tuned for all the thrilling updates and highlights from this electrifying event.