Canadian National Junior Team Selects Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as Captain -NHL Update
After a tough selection and recruitment process for the upcoming 2013 World Junior Championship to be held in Ufa, Russia, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers was named team captain by Canadian National Junior Team coach, Steve Spott.
The announcement was made official less than a day after the team was finalised as not much time remains in the series taking off, which has been deemed to be intense due to the amount of talent each side will be packing in the competition.
Nugent-Hopkins will have the honour of leading the Canadian National Junior Team and representing his country for the very first time, which is also the last year he is able to do so. After this competition, the Edmonton Oilers first overall draft pick of
the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft will not be eligible anymore.
"I think good leaders in situations like this, they find ways to bring the team together," Nugent-Hopkins told the media Thursday. "The best leaders always find a way to do that. Whoever is wearing the 'C' and the 'A's are going to have different responsibilities,
but so are all the other guys. That's the way a team should be."
The Canadian National Junior Team has also named two alternative captains, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman, Scott Harrington, and Florida Panthers forward, Jonathan Huberdeau.
The native of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, made his debut straight after being picked during the Entry Draft and played in 62 games and managed to register a well earned 52 points (18 goals, 34 assists), which definitely could have been much more had
it not been for a couple of minor injuries.
During the lockout, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played for the Oklahoma City Barons in the American Hockey League (AHL), and persisted at many times the will to represent his country in the World Junior Championships. His wish came true after reassessing his shoulder
injury in Edmonton, termed to be precautionary, and many call it good luck, captaincy also came around for the 19-year-old.
Canada plays its first matchup in the series against Finland in Vantaa on December 20, which will certainly be a contest worth seeing.
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