:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1301439/GYI0062015502.jpg)
The 2012 Canadian national team, poised to begin their first game on Friday for the 2012 IIHF World Hockey Championship tournament, have officially named their team captains with Chicago Blackhawks C Patrick Sharp earning alternate honors:
Ryan Getzlaf named captain of Canada at the world championship. Dion Phaneuf and Patrick Sharp will be alternates.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 3, 2012
Sharp played 74 games for the Blackhawks in the 2011-12 season, scoring 33 goals with 36 assists. The 30-year-old veteran was a late addition to the Team Canada roster following the Blackhawks' unceremonious defeat in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
C Ryan Getzlaf, from Regina, Saskatchewan, played all 82 games for the Anaheim Ducks in the 2011-12 season and scored 11 goals with 46 assists.
For more on the Chicago Blackhawks, head over to the Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey. And for more looks from around the league, check out SB Nation's NHL news hub.