San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski has been named the team captain of Team USA for the World Cup of Hockey. Team USA also named Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter as alternates.
Additionally, Boston Bruins forward David Backes, New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh, Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise and Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Kesler have been included as members of Team USA’s leadership group.
“The great news for us is that we have plenty of leaders in our room,” head coach of Team USA John Tortorella said. “In the end, in addition to our captain and alternate captains, we also selected four other players and those seven guys will form an overall leadership group for our team. Our goal is simple and that’s to win the World Cup.”
Pavelski, who also captains the Sharks, was fifth in the NHL in goals scored last season with 38. Pavelski also recorded 23 points in 24 playoff games this season, third-most in the league. He and his Sharks lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to two.
Pavelski has played in 17 games for Team USA, most recently in the 2014 Winter Olympics, where Pavelski recorded a goal and four assists in six games.
Kane and Suter are both well experienced in international hockey. Kane, since turning professional in 2007, has played in 19 games for Team USA, recording six goals and 13 assists. Extending to Kane’s junior career, the 26-year-old has participated in 33 total games for Team USA, recording 18 goals and 22 assists.
Suter, the most experienced international player on Team USA with 70 career international games, served as an alternate during the 2014 Olympics. He was seventh among NHL defensemen last season with 43 assists.
Team USA’s first pre-tournament game is in Washington on Sept. 13. The World Cup of Hockey is scheduled to begin Sept. 17, with Team USA taking on Team Europe.
• Tommy Chalk can be reached at tchalk@washingtontimes.com.
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