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Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid Named Captain For Team Canada

By Warsame A

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 19: Connor McDavid #97 celebrates after Auston Matthews #34 of Team North America (not pictured) scores a first period goal on Team Russia during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 at Air Canada Centre on September 19, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 19: Connor McDavid #97 celebrates after Auston Matthews #34 of Team North America (not pictured) scores a first period goal on Team Russia during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 at Air Canada Centre on September 19, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images) /
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Team Canada announced yesterday that Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid would be named Team Captain for the IIHF World Championship.

In a few days, the IIHF World Championship tournament will be commencing in Herning, Denmark with three players from the Edmonton Oilers leading the charge. It was announced in the past month that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Connor McDavid would all be suiting up in the red and white to try to win gold for Team Canada.

This team has been herald as the perennial favorite to win it all even though the Team Canada fell short last year losing to Sweden in a thrilling overtime game. Some of the players on that silver medal team will be on this year’s roster, but the difference is that the best player in the world will be leading the charge.

Announcement

It was announced yesterday that Connor McDavid would be the Captain of Team Canada while Ryan O’Reilly (Buffalo Sabres, NHL) and Brayden Schenn (St. Louis Blues, NHL) will be the alternate captains. That move was a no-brainer as listing McDavid to steer Team Canada for gold is the only end goal this squad needs at the moment. The last time Team Canada won gold was back in McDavid’s rookie season, and he was also on that gold medal team.

Connor McDavid was aware of the magnitude of being the captain of Team Canada as he alluded to recently via Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer.

"“It’s so special to represent my country and to wear the C. It definitely means a lot to me but I don’t take it for granted.”"

And also understanding that with him leading the squad, every team in the tournament will be gunning for Team Canada since they are the team to beat in the next few weeks.

"“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. No matter the pressure is on the outside, we expect great things on the inside. We understand that we can be a target sometimes and we try to do our best to bring it each night.”"

With Connor McDavid leading the charge, it’s hard to envision any team winning gold in Denmark. Team Canada kicks off their road to gold against the United States on Friday.

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