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McDavid Named Captain Of Team North America |
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Team North America has named Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid their team captain for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey in Toronto.
The 19-year-old McDavid was the first pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and a finalist for the Calder Trophy last season, in spite of missing almost half of his rookie season to injury.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers and forward Sean Couturier of the Philadelphia Flyers have been named assistant captains for the 23-and-under squad, who play their first exhibition game against Team Europe in Quebec City on Thursday.
“On a team full of future NHL captains, we have a strong leadership group on Team North America,” head coach Todd McLellan said. “In particular, these three players...Connor, Sean and Aaron....have identified themselves in camp as key leaders for our team.”
Ekblad made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time last season after winning rookie of the year after being selected first overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old Couturier has the most experience on the squad and will likely draw the tough assignment of matching up against the opposition's top offensive center.
Stanley Cup winning goalie Matt Murray will get the start against Europe.
2016 top pick Auston Matthews is expected to play on a line made up of first overall selections, playing the left side with Edmonton center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon.
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