ZURICH-KLOTEN, SWITZERLAND – Team Canada head coach Lindy Ruff announced on Thursday that Shane Doan (Halkirk, Alta./Phoenix, NHL) will serve as team captain for a third consecutive IIHF World Championship. Dany Heatley (Calgary, Alta./Ottawa, NHL), Chris Phillips (Fort McMurray, Alta./Ottawa, NHL), Martin St. Louis (Laval, Que./Tampa Bay, NHL) and Shea Weber (Sicamous, B.C./Nashville, NHL) will serve as alternate captains.

Shane Doan, 32, is representing Canada for an eighth time in international competition, and this will mark his sixth IIHF World Championship. The native of Halkirk, Alta. also served as team captain at both the 20 IIHF World Championships, winning gold in 2007 and silver in 2008. Doan is a veteran of 13 NHL seasons, and has served as team captain with Phoenix since the 2003-04 season.

Dany Heatley, 28, is Canada’s all-time leading goal scorer in IIHF World Championship history, with 32 goals in 43 games. The native of Calgary, Alta. has won two gold medals and two silver medals with Canada while taking part in five world championships. He also played in two IIHF World Junior Championships for Canada.

Chris Phillips, 31, has played for Canada at two IIHF World Championships and two IIHF World Junior Championships, amassing two gold medals and a silver medal. The 2009 IIHF World Championship marks the sixth time he has represented Canada in international competition.

Martin St. Louis, 33, is taking part in his second consecutive IIHF World Championship and this year will mark his fourth time representing Canada in international competition. The native of Laval, Que. led Tampa Bay in scoring this season.

Shea Weber, 23, is representing Canada for a third time at the 2009 IIHF World Championship. The native of Sicamous, B.C. won gold medals at the 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship in Grand Forks, N.D., USA and at the 2007 IIHF World Championship in Moscow, Russia.

Canada faces Belarus in its first game at the 2009 IIHF World Championship, on Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT.

TSN/RDS will broadcast all of Canada’s games at the IIHF World Championship live across Canada. Check your local listings for game times in your area.