Eric Staal named Canadian men’s hockey team captain for Olympic Games

DAVOS, Switzerland – Former Carolina Hurricanes centre Eric Staal has been named the captain of the Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team.

Staal, an Olympic gold medallist from the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., was drafted second overall by the Hurricanes in 2003.

He also played for the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens.

David Desharnais and Maxim Noreau will serve as the alternate captains.

Desharnais currently plays for HC Fribourg-Gottéron in Switzerland while Noreau plays for the ZSC Lions.

Canada will kick off the men’s hockey tournament on Feb. 10 against Germany, and will also play the United States on Feb. 12 and China on Feb. 13 to wrap up preliminary-round action.

“The opportunity to represent Canada at the Olympics is very special, and being named captain is an honour and something I take a lot of pride in,” Staal said in a statement. “David and Maxim are great leaders and players, and they are deserving of this recognition.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2022.