CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), announced Friday that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Burnaby, B.C./Oklahoma City, AHL) has been named captain of Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Head coach Steve Spott made the announcement prior to Canada’s departure for Helsinki, Finland.

Two players were also named as alternate captains by Spott: Scott Harrington (Kingston, Ont./London, OHL) and Jonathan Huberdeau (St-Jérôme, Que./Saint John, QMJHL).

Canada will play two pre-competition games prior to the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, on Dec. 20 against Finland in Vantaa, Finland and Dec. 22 against Sweden in Helsinki, Finland.

Canada will play its first game of the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, Dec. 26 against Germany, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN and RDS at 4:30 a.m. ET/1:30 a.m. PT.

Canada has medalled at 14 consecutive IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 20, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 20 and bronze medals in 2000, 20.

For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team and the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, and follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and www.twitter.com/hc_teamcanada.