HANNOVER, GERMANY - Canada's Men's World Championship team will open the 2001 IIHF Men's World Championship in Germany on Saturday, April 28, when they take on Norway.

Canada is grouped in Pool D, along with Norway, Russia and Italy. Canada plays Italy on Monday, April 30th and Russia on Wednesday, May 2nd to round out its preliminary-round schedule in Pool D. The top three teams in each of the four preliminary-round groups advance to the round-robin qualification round that starts next Friday.

"The coaching staff is thrilled on how quickly our team has come together as a group, and feel that we have a great mix of chemistry entering into this year’s championship, " said Wayne Fleming, Head Coach of Team Canada.

Assistant Executive Director, Lanny McDonald and the coaching staff announced on Friday evening that Mike Peca was named captain of the 2001 Men’s Worlds Team.

"We are very happy to name Mike as the captain of our team, " said McDonald. "Mike’s leadership and character, both on and off the ice, will of great benefit for our players and staff…a well deserved honour." Peca will be joined by four assistant captains, defenseman Jason Smith and forward Ryan Smyth of the Edmonton Oilers, Joe Thornton of the Boston Bruins and Scott Walker of the Nashville Predators. The four assistant captains will rotate wearing letters through out the championship, with only two assistants wearing an ‘A’ per game.