Returning forward Brayden Yager named Canada’s captain for world junior tournament

Brayden Yager Named Captain of Team Canada for World Junior Hockey Championship

Centre Brayden Yager has been appointed as the captain of Canada’s team for the upcoming world junior hockey championship, Hockey Canada revealed on Thursday. Alongside Yager, Tanner Molendyk and Calum Ritchie have been selected as alternate captains for the tournament scheduled to commence on December 26 in Ottawa.

Yager, a prospect of the Winnipeg Jets, has showcased his skills with a goal and four points in just two games since joining the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Western Hockey League following a trade on December 2. Prior to the trade, he accumulated an impressive 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 21 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Hailing from Saskatoon, Yager was part of Canada’s 2024 world junior team that secured a fifth-place finish in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Expressing his gratitude for the captaincy, Yager stated, “I am honored to be named the captain of Team Canada for the world juniors alongside such exceptional leaders. I am eagerly looking forward to hitting the ice in Ottawa with our team as we strive towards our ultimate goal of clinching a gold medal on home turf.”

“Tanner and Calum are exceptional players and teammates who truly deserve this honor. I am thrilled to be part of the leadership group with them and to proudly represent the Maple Leaf in front of our passionate Canadian supporters,” Yager added.

Molendyk, a defenseman from McBride, B.C., has showcased his prowess with 21 points (4 goals, 17 assists) in 21 games for the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades this season. On the other hand, Ritchie, hailing from Oakville, Ont., has accumulated an impressive 34 points (8 goals, 26 assists) in 18 games with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, following his return to major junior hockey post a seven-game stint with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.

Both Molendyk and Ritchie are set to make their debut appearances in the world junior championship. Molendyk was initially named in Canada’s 2024 team but had to withdraw due to a wrist injury sustained in a pre-tournament game.

Canada will kick off its world junior campaign on December 26 against Finland at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre.