CALGARY, Alta. – Mark Messier, Team Canada general manager for the 2010 IIHF World Championship, along with head coach Craig MacTavish, announced a captain and four alternate captains for Canada at the event, which runs from May 7-23 in Cologne and Mannheim, Germany.

Ryan Smyth (Banff, Alta./Los Angeles Kings, NHL) will serve as captain for Canada at the IIHF World Championship for a sixth time (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010). Smyth, 34, is also taking part in his eighth World Championship for Canada, an all-time record. He took over as Canada’s captain in the fourth game at the 2001 IIHF World Championship, when then-captain Michael Peca suffered an injury and could no longer play.  As team captain, Smyth went on to capture two gold medals (2003, 2004) and one silver medal (2005) at the world championship. Smyth also served as an alternate captain at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, where Canada captured gold, and at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, which Canada also won.  

Messier and MacTavish also announced four alternate captains: François Beauchemin (Sorel, Que./Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL), Corey Perry (Peterborough, Ont./Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Steven Stamkos (Unionville, Ont./Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL) and Ray Whitney (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta./Carolina Hurricanes, NHL).

Canada can still register up to 25 players on its final roster at the world championship, but only 22 players, including two goaltenders, can be dressed for each game.

Messier is joined on the management staff by Scott Salmond, director of men’s national teams for Hockey Canada, as well as Doug Risebrough, Michel Goulet and Doug Messier.

Canada’s coaching staff is comprised of head coach Craig MacTavish (London, Ont.), associate coach Peter DeBoer (Dunnville, Ont./Florida Panthers, NHL) and assistant coach Billy Moores (Edmonton, Alta./Edmonton Oilers, NHL).

The team arrived in Mannheim, Germany on May 6 and Canada’s first game at the 2010 IIHF World Championship is May 8 versus Italy in Mannheim. Hockey Canada’s official broadcaster TSN/RDS will air all of Canada’s games at the 2010 IIHF World Championship. Please check local listings for game times in your area.