Regina, Sask. – Canada’s National Junior Team coaching staff announced on Saturday that Patrice Cormier (Cap-Pelé, N.B./ Rimouski, QMJHL) will serve as team captain at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.

It marks the first time in the history of the National Junior Team program, that a native of New Brunswick is named team captain.

Team Canada’s coaching staff also announced that five players will serve in rotation as alternate captains: Stefan Della Rovere (Maple, Ont./ Barrie, Ont.), Jordan Eberle (Regina, Sask./ Regina, WHL), Ryan Ellis (Freelton, Ont./ Windsor, Ont.), Alex Pietrangelo (King City, Ont./ St. Louis, NHL) and Colten Teubert (White Rock, B.C./ Regina, WHL).   

Canada will play three pre-competition games prior to the opening of the World Juniors: Sunday, December 20 (Canada vs. Sweden in Regina, Sask.), Tuesday, December 22 (Canada vs. Finland in Calgary, Alta.) and December 23 (Canada vs. Czech Republic in Regina, Sask.).  For game times and ticket information, go to  www.hockeycanada.ca/2010worldjuniors. The game on December 20 will be broadcast on TSN2, games on December 22-23 will be broadcast on TSN. 

Canada will play its first game of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26 versus Latvia, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).

Canada has medaled at eleven straight IIHF World Junior Championships including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 20, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 20 and bronze medals in 20.