TORONTO/NEW YORK (Aug. 25, 2016) – Hockey Canada announced today that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby will serve as Team Canada’s captain at the World Cup of Hockey 2016. Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber will support Crosby as Team Canada’s alternate captains.

Crosby, 29, has won two Stanley Cup® championships since becoming captain of the Penguins during the 2007-08 season. The 2016 Conn Smythe Trophy winner has registered 338 goals and 938 points in 707 career NHL games. Crosby captained Team Canada to gold at both the 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the 2015 IIHF World Championship.

Toews, 28, has been the Blackhawks’ captain since the 2008-09 season, leading the club to Stanley Cup® championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He has registered 251 goals and 564 points in 645 career NHL games.

Weber, 31, will serve as an alternate captain with the Canadiens this season and spent the previous six years as captain of the Nashville Predators. Weber has registered 166 goals and 443 points in 763 career NHL games.

Team Canada General Manager Doug Armstrong and Head Coach Mike Babcock will host a media conference call today at 12:30 p.m. ET to preview Team Canada’s preparations for the World Cup of Hockey 2016. Dial-In: (877) 385-4099; Passcode 74697#

Eight teams -- Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden and Team USA -- will compete in the two-week tournament, featuring more than 170 of the best players in the NHL. All tournament games will be played at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

For more information on the World Cup of Hockey 2016, visit www.wch2016.com. #WCH2016