Shane Wright named Canada’s world junior captain

Seattle Kraken forward Shane Wright has officially been named captain for the 2023 World Junior Championship, taking place Dec. 26 – Jan. 5 in Halifax and Moncton, Canada.

Wright, 18, has previously served as captain of Canada’s U-17 and U-18 teams, leading Canada to a convincing gold medal victory at the 2021 U-18s. Selected fourth overall by the Kraken in July, Wright’s season has been a bit of a mixed bag. He failed to become a full-time NHLer, scoring his first goal of the season against Montreal on Dec. 6, the last game before he joined Canada for camp. Wright had four goals in five AHL contests with Coachella Valley on a conditioning stint, but NHL/CHL rules prevent him from going back on a full-time basis.

This will be Wright’s first full WJC after taking part in last year’s cancelled event. Wright will help lead a Canadian roster that looks destined to challenge for gold once again. The tournament hosts won the summer tournament in Edmonton, and now head to Halifax boasting three NHLers – Wright, former Don Mills Flyers teammate Brandt Clarke and Arizona Coyotes forward Dylan Guenther. Add in top 2023 prospects Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, and star NHL prospects Logan Stankoven and Olen Zellweger, and Canada will be one of the teams to beat out East.

Hockey Canada also announced that Guenther, Stankoven, Ethan Del Mastro and Nathan Gaucher will serve as alternates.

Canada opens the tournament against Czechia at 6:30 PM ET on Dec. 26. Before that, they’ll face Switzerland (Dec. 19), Slovakia (Dec. 21) and Finland (Dec. 23) in pre-tournament contests.