Team Canada names captain for August World Juniors
After the 2022 World Junior Championship tournament was abruptly cancelled due to a rise in COVID cases, the tourney is scheduled to be played beginning August 9 in Alberta. With notable omissions like Shane Wright and Owen Power, due to NHL commitments, Team Canada will still have up-and-coming superstar Connor Bedard and soon-to-be full time NHLer Mason McTavish leading the team.
Today, McTavish was named captain of Team Canada in what will likely be his last appearance for Canada at the World Juniors. He is eligible for the 2023 tournament in December this year but will likely be on the Ducks' roster by then. McTavish had a whirlwind of 2021-22 season, playing for the Anaheim Ducks, San Diego Gulls, Peterborough Petes and Hamilton Bulldogs along with appearances for Canada at the cancelled World Juniors and the Olympic Games.
In 9 games with the Ducks, McTavish posted 3 points and in 3 games with San Diego put up another 2 points before being returned to his OHL club in Peterborough. Between the Petes and Hamilton Bulldogs, McTavish put up 47 points in 29 games in the regular season. He helped lead the Bulldogs to an OHL Championship and a birth in the Memorial Cup registering 29 points in 19 playoff games.
McTavish will be relied upon heavily along with Bedard to provide Canada with a plethora of offense. Something that should not be a problem for either of the budding young stars.
