Hockey Canada announced on Friday that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be the captain of the Canadian Junior team for the upcoming World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia.
Defenceman Scott Harrington of the London Knights and forward Jonathan Huberdeau of the Saint John Sea Dogs have been named the alternate captains.
Nugent-Hopkins, 19, is making his first appearance with the junior national team. The top pick from the 2011 NHL Draft is playing for the Oklahoma City Barons in the AHL during the lockout, and had 18 goals and 34 assists last season in his rookie year with the Edmonton Oilers.
Huberdeau was chosen by the Florida Panthers two spots after Nugent-Hopkins in 2011. Harrington, 19, was a second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the same draft.
The 23-man roster was finalized on Thursday by head coach Steve Spott and his staff. The team will train in Calgary before flying to Finland for two pre-tournament games.
Canada opens the 2013 World Junior tournament on Dec. 26 against Germany on TSN and TSN Mobile TV at 4am et/1am pt.
