With the Olympic men's hockey tournament set to begin in a matter of days, Canada has chosen Eric Staal as its captain. David Desharnais and Maxim Noreau will serve as the alternate captains.
Meet the captains for ’s Men’s Olympic Team!
C: Eric Staal (@HNOHockey)
A: David Desharnais (@HockeyQuebec)
A: Maxim Noreau (@HockeyQuebec)#Beijing2022— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 1, 2022
“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 release from Hockey Canada. “David and Maxim are great leaders and players, and they are deserving of this recognition. Our entire team is excited for the opportunity to be a part of Team Canada, and we look forward to competing for a gold medal in Beijing.”
Staal, who won gold with Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics and captained the World Championship team in 2013, enjoyed a 17-year career. He's registered five points in four games with the AHL's Iowa Wild this season. As the owner of an Olympic gold medal, a Stanley Cup title (Carolina Hurricanes, 2006) and a World Championship gold medal (2007), the 37-year-old is part of the exclusive Triple Gold Club.
Desharnais, who will represent Canada at the Olympic level for the first time, played more than 500 NHL games in a nine-year tenure. He has spent the past three seasons as an alternate captain for HC Fribourg-Gottéron of Switzerland's National League.
Noreau's NHL career spanned only two games, but he's played professional hockey in various domestic and foreign leagues since 2007. During the 2018 Winter Olympics, the defenceman tallied two goals and seven points in six games to help Canada win bronze.
