BANFF, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), announced Thursday that Jaden Schwartz (Wilcox, Sask./Colorado College, WCHA) has been named captain of Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Head coach Don Hay made the announcement prior to Canada’s last ice session in Banff, where the team has been based since Dec. 16.

Four players were also named as alternate captains by Hay, and will rotate from game to game at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship: Brett Connolly (Prince George, B.C./Tampa Bay, NHL), Brandon Gormley (Murray River, P.E.I./Moncton, QMJHL), Quinton Howden (Oak Bank, Man./ Moose Jaw, WHL) and Devante Smith-Pelly (Scarborough, Ont./Anaheim, NHL).

Canada will play two more pre-competition games prior to the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship: Dec. 22 vs. Switzerland in Red Deer, Alta., and Dec. 23 vs. Sweden in Edmonton, Alta. For ticket information, go to www.HockeyCanada.ca/2012juniors.

Canada will play its first game of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, Dec. 26 against Finland, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings). While the event is officially sold out, tickets are available through a ticket exchange program at www.HockeyCanada.ca/2012juniors.

Canada has medalled at thirteen 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 20.