Hockey Canada has named Macklin Celebrini captain for the IIHF world hockey championship, with John Tavares and Ryan O’Reilly as alternates.
Macklin Celebrini is set to take on the biggest leadership role of his young career, named captain of Canada for the IIHF world hockey championship.
Hockey Canada announced that the San Jose Sharks forward will serve as team captain for the tournament. John Tavares and Ryan O’Reilly have been named the alternates, a structure that balances fresh star power with experienced international leadership.
Celebrini arrives at the world championship on the back of a breakthrough international run.. He helped Canada win Olympic silver in Milan, producing five goals and 10 points across six games.. That performance added to what had already been a milestone year for him. as he became the youngest player to take part in the Olympics.
His rise hasn’t been limited to the Olympic stage. Celebrini also tied Jarome Iginla for the most goals scored by a Canadian at a tournament involving NHL players, a marker of how quickly he’s made an impact when facing top-tier pro competition.
The coaching and management decision to place the “C” on Celebrini suggests Canada’s belief that the next era of the team can be built around him.. With the world championship often decided by detail. discipline. and consistent execution. having a captain who can contribute offensively while setting the tone is a major statement of intent.
Tavares, named one of the alternates, brings a long track record in this specific tournament setting.. He has represented Canada four times at the world championship, recording 16 goals and 25 points in 22 games.. He was also captain in 2024. when Canada’s campaign ended with a fourth-place finish after losing the bronze-medal game to Sweden.
That 2024 experience matters because it reflects both the pressure of medal-round expectations and the fine margins that determine final placement.. Having Tavares in a supporting leadership role could help steady the dressing room as Canada looks to move beyond the disappointment of finishing just outside the medal positions.
O’Reilly, the other alternate, will add another layer of tournament knowledge. This will be his sixth appearance at the world championship. His international résumé with Canada is decorated, including back-to-back gold medals in 2015 and 2016, plus a silver medal in 2018.
With O’Reilly’s history of producing results across multiple cycles. Canada has placed a veteran presence alongside a captain of the next generation.. That blend is often crucial in a tournament format where momentum can swing quickly and teams need leaders who understand how to handle both pressure and adversity.
The IIHF world hockey championship will be played in Zürich and Fribourg, Switzerland, running from May 15 to 31. Canada will open the tournament under a new on-ice captaincy, with alternates chosen to provide continuity, guidance, and experience as the team aims for its next medal.
For Celebrini, the task now goes beyond personal production. As captain, he will be expected to be a rallying point in games where special teams, matchups, and game management often decide outcomes, especially against fellow contenders equally determined to control the pace.
Meanwhile. Canada’s choices for alternates point to a deliberate leadership strategy: honour the established tournament leaders who have already lived through both success and the sting of falling short. while giving Celebrini the platform to grow into the role ahead of this high-stakes international stage.
With the tournament approaching, all eyes will be on how the captain’s responsibilities translate on the ice, and whether Canada’s mix of youth and experience can turn previous lessons into a renewed medal push.
Macklin Celebrini captain Hockey Canada IIHF World Championship John Tavares Ryan O’Reilly San Jose Sharks Canada hockey