Team Canada has announced that Claude Giroux (Philadelphia) will captain the red-and-white as the team looks to defend its back-to-back gold medals.
Serving as alternate captains are Matt Duchene (Colorado) and Ryan O’Reilly (Buffalo) who were on the 2015 and 2016 gold medal-winning teams at Worlds, as well as Marc-à‰douard Vlasic (San Jose) who captured the World Cup of Hockey in September alongside Giroux, Duchene, and O’Reilly.
“Our team is oozing with leadership, and a number of players could have worn a letter,… said head coach Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay). “However, this group will be led by our captain Claude Giroux, who has helped put Team Canada on the podium at several international tournaments.…
Giroux has won gold for Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, 2015 IIHF World Championship, and 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
The Northern Ontario native has served as captain of the Philadelphia Flyers for the last five seasons, following one season as an alternate captain for the NHL franchise.
In addition to his two IIHF World Championship gold-medals in 2015 and 2016, Duchene has won gold for Canada at the 2008 IIHF U18 World Championship, 2014 Olympic Winter Games, and 2016 World Cup of Hockey. A 2012 Spengler Cup champion, Duchene is an alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche and served as an alternate captain for Team Canada at the 2016 worlds.
O’Reilly reprises his role as alternate captain for Team Canada at Worlds, having worn the ‘A’ at the 2016 IIHF World Championship. A two-time gold-medallist at Worlds (2015, 2016), O’Reilly Is. candidate to succeed Brian Gionta as captain of the Buffalo Sabres. O'Reilly won gold for team Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. O'Reilly was added to the Team Canada roster as an injury replacement and bumped Giroux out of the lineup and up to the press box. Head coach Mike Babcock skated O'Reilly skated with Duchene and Joe Thornton at the World Cup.
Canada opens 2017 IIHF World Championship Friday
Canada opens the 2017 IIHF World Championship against the Czech Republic on Friday, May 5, with preliminary-round games scheduled through Tuesday, May 16. The bronze- and gold-medal games will take place on Sunday, May 21.
“This team has bonded quickly, so the guys are having a lot of fun together, now it’s time to turn it up a notch against the Czechs,… said Cooper following the team’s Thursday skate. “That’s a tough one right out of the gate for us. We’ve had three of four practices and a game, not a lot of time to prepare, but we’re looking forward to playing for real. The guys are excited.…
When asked about the key to playing the Czechs following Thursday’s skate, Giroux said: “They’re a good team; they have a lot of skills, they have a big team. For us, it’s about focusing on our game, our systems, and how we want to play as a team.…
Team Canada has won gold at the last two IIHF World Championships, going undefeated during the 2015 tournament, and blanking Finland 2-0 in the gold-medal game in 2016.
Thanks, Team Canada
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O'Reilly and Duchene reunited. Again.
I wonder if new the new Buffalo Sabres GM would consider trading Duchene and Tyson Barrie to Buffalo in exchange for Evander Kane and the 8th overall pick in the NHL Draft?
Duchene's days are numbered in Denver. The 26 year old sniper will earn $6M AAV the next two seasons.
You might say the same for Kane in Buffalo considering his biggest supporter, Tim Murray, was fired two weeks ago.
Save you "OReilly and Duchene have issues" crap. It's not true. I know for a fact that O'Reilly and Duchene are very close friends on and off the ice. Playing together in Denver for six seasons caused peaks and valleys in their relationship. Bygones.
The trade would be:
Kane for Duchene 8th overall pick for Barrie.
Such a trade would accelerate the Colorado rebuild by giving Joe Sakic two picks in the top ten of the June NHL Draft. The Avs won the 4th overall pick at the NHL Draft Lottery last a Saturday night. The Avalanche were hoping to win it all or finish second in the lottery.
Why would the Avs want to trade a 30 goal scorer in Duchene? Divorce is unavoidable between Duchene and the Avs. He needs to move on. The team needs to trade Duchene in exchange for assets in the form of more 5v5 goal scoring.
@krt88nc Avs 30th goals for, 165
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) May 4, 2017
Avs 30th 5v5 goals for, 114
Avs 30th GPG, 2.01
Avs 30th PPG scored, 30
Kane has scored 48Gs past 2 years, 42 5v5
Evander Kane has scored 48 goals the past two seasons in Buffalo. Remarkable, 42 of the 48 goals have come at even strength, a statistical category where the Avs finished dead last in the NHL this season.
The NHL Draft scouting combine is May 28-June 3 in Buffalo.
“We’re having all of our meetings in the next two weeks with our amateur (scouts) and finalizing our lists,… Avs GM Joe Sakic said Saturday night.
“We’re going to pick the best player available to us.…
Imagine having not one but two picks in the top ten, Joe.
What are your thoughts?