HELSINKI, Finland – Hockey Canada announced Thursday evening that Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, Sask./Anaheim, NHL) will serve as Canada`s captain for the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, with Dion Phaneuf (Edmonton, Alta./Toronto, NHL) and Patrick Sharp (Thunder Bay, Ont./Chicago, NHL) named as alternate captains.

Getzlaf has represented Canada on the international stage on five previous occasions, winning gold at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship (2003), IIHF World Junior Championship (2005) and Olympic Winter Games (2010). Getzlaf also won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

Phaneuf won gold with Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Championship and 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship, while Sharp was a silver medalist with Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, and won a Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010.

The 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship runs from May 4-20, in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden, with Canada based out of Helsinki for the entire event. Canada opens up against Slovakia tomorrow, Friday, May 4. All of Canada’s games will be aired on TSN/RDS. Check your local listings for game times in your area.

For more information on Hockey Canada, its teams, events and programs, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca.

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