TURKU, FINLAND –Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Smyth, a 2002 Winter Olympic gold medalist and representing Canada at his fifth consecutive Men’s World Hockey Championship, was named captain of Team Canada today by Head Coach Andy Murray and the Team Canada coaching staff.

The 2003 Men’s World Hockey Championship marks the third World Hockey Championship that Smyth has worn the ‘C’ for Canada. Smyth was captain of last year’s Men’s Worlds team in Sweden, and at the 2001 World Championships in Germany, he wore the captain's "C" after teammate Michael Peca was injured.

Smyth, a native of Banff, AB, will be representing Canada for seventh time in his career at the 2003 Men’s Worlds. He has previously participated in the 1999, 2000, 20 World Championships for Canada, and was a member of the gold medal winning World Junior team in 1995, as well as the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Two assistant captains were also named for the 2003 Men’s World Championship:

• Anson Carter New York Rangers

• Kris Draper Detroit Red Wings

Both assistant captains bring international experience and leadership to the 2003 Men’s World Championship team for Canada.

Carter was a member of Team Canada at the 1994 World Juniors and at the Men’s Worlds in 1997, the last time Canada won the gold medal. Draper, who has won 3 Stanley Cup championships with the Detroit Red Wings, has a long history of international hockey, where the 2003 Men’s World Championship marks the seventh time that he has represented Canada internationally. Draper played for Canada at the 20 World Championships, finishing 4th and 5th respectively and won gold medals with Canada’s National Junior Team at both the 19 World Junior Hockey Championship. He also played with Canada’s National Men’s Team from 1988-1990.

Canada also announced the addition of defenceman and former NHL-er Jamie Heward (TOR, NYI, NSH, CBJ) to their World Championship roster. Heward played this past season with Geneva in the Swiss Elite League. Canada’s roster now stands at 23 players.