On Sunday, Hockey Canada announced that Macklin Celebrini has been named captain of the Canadian Men’s National Team for the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship. Veteran forwards Ryan O’Reilly and John Tavares have been named the alternates for the annual tournament.
Meet the captains! / Voici nos capitaines! 🇨🇦
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 10, 2026
C: Macklin Celebrini (@BCHockey_Source)
A: Ryan O’Reilly (@OHFHockey)
A: John Tavares (@OHFHockey)#MensWorlds | #MondialMasculin pic.twitter.com/TOnBMotLy3
At just 18 years old, Celebrini makes history as the youngest player ever to captain Canada at a senior national team tournament. While Sidney Crosby famously wore an ‘A’ at the World Championship at the same age two decades ago, Celebrini stands alone in wearing the "C".
The San Jose Sharks star's appointment comes just months after a sensational showing at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite being the youngest player on the Olympic roster, Celebrini was a driving force behind Canada’s run to the gold medal game. He finished second in tournament scoring behind only Connor McDavid, racking up 10 points in six games. Furthermore, his five goals tied Jarome Iginla for the most ever scored by a Canadian in an NHL-participating Olympic tournament.
Ryan O’Reilly—who served as an alternate captain last year and was named one of the team’s top three players—returns with a resume that includes a 2016 World Cup title and back-to-back World Championship golds (2015, 2016). John Tavares, who captained the squad two years ago, brings his own heavily decorated history, highlighted by gold medals at the 2014 Olympics, the 2016 World Cup, and consecutive World Junior Championships (2008, 2009).
The Canadians are on a mission to return to the podium for the first time in three years. As the all-time record holder for both gold (28) and total medals (53) at the World Championship, the nation is looking to recapture the dominance that saw them win gold in 2021 and 2023, along with silver in 2019 and 2022. Canada will kick off its tournament this Friday against Sweden, navigating a Group B slate that also features Italy, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Czechia.