MINSK, BELARUS – Canada opened the 2004 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship with a 5-0 win over Sweden on Thursday in Minsk, Belarus. Canada is the defending World Under-18 Champion, having captured gold in 2004 in Russia.

Jean-Michael Rizk and Liam Reddox each scored twice and Devan Dubnyk (Calgary, AB/ Kamloops, WHL) made 16 saves as Canada opened the World Under-18 Hockey Championship with a victory. Andy Rogers also added a goal for Team Canada, while Aaron Gagnon and Frederik Cabana each added a pair of assists.

Canada’s next game will be Saturday, April 10th as they face Belarus.

Head Coach Dean Chynoweth also announced that John Lammers, a native of Langley, BC and a forward with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes has been named Team Canada’s captain.

Lammers played with Canada’s National Under-18 Summer Team in August, 2003 as Canada finished fourth at the Junior World Cup. The 18 year old forward has just completed his second season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League.

The four alternate captains also played with Canada’s Under-18 Summer Team at the 2003 Junior World Cup. Garlock and Rizk will be the alternate captains while wearing red jerseys and Cabana and Chipchura will be alternate captains when the team wears white jerseys.

“The entire coaching staff is very impressed with this particular group of leaders. We feel with leadership from all of our captains, it will have a very positive effect on the other players.” Said Head Coach Dean Chynoweth.

Canada’s 2004 World Championship Under-18 Team is comprised of players under 18 years old (born in 1986) and play for teams that are not competing in either the CHL, Junior A or collegiate playoffs.