(Edmonton) Hockey Canada has announced that defenseman Kaiden Guhle, a prospect for the Montreal Canadiens, will captain Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, which will take place in Edmonton and Red Deer from December 26 to 5 January.
Habs first round pick, 16e overall, in the 2020 Draft, Guhle started the season with the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Junior League before being traded to the Edmonton Oil Kings on 1er December.
In 20 games so far this season, the 19-year-old left-hander has registered three goals and 15 assists, with 30 penalty minutes and a plus-1 defensive ratio.
Guhle will be supported by left winger Jake Neighbors, a teammate with the Oil Kings, and Cole Perfetti, another forward.
PHOTO JEFF MCINTOSH, ARCHIVES THE CANADIAN PRESS
Jake Neighbors
The latter started the season with the Winnipeg Jets in the National Hockey League, before being ceded to the Manitoba Moose in the American League. Perfetti contributed to Canada’s gold medal at the 2021 World Championship.
Guhle, who will be making his second World Junior Championship appearance, said he was honored to be named captain, especially since he is originally from Edmonton.
“Being chosen as the captain for the World Juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer is something that makes me really proud, and I can’t wait to compete with my teammates to win a gold medal. ”
Canada unveiled its 25-man roster on December 12 following a four-day selection camp.
The Canadian team will open the 2022 World Junior Championship against the Czech Republic, before facing Austria on December 28, Germany on December 29 and Finland on December 31 to conclude the preliminary round.