Stunning captaincy situation unfolds inside Team Canada’s dressing room at World Championship

When Sidney Crosby officially joined Team Canada for the IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, many assumed one thing would immediately follow: the captaincy changing hands. It did not happen.

According to insider Chris Johnston, Macklin Celebrini will remain captain for Canada despite Crosby’s arrival, with Crosby instead wearing an “A” as alternate captain. The decision reportedly came following a player-led discussion inside the locker room, where teammates wanted Celebrini to keep the “C.”

It is a stunning vote of confidence in the 19-year-old superstar.

Celebrini is already making history as the youngest captain Team Canada has ever named at the men’s world championship, and he is also the youngest player on the roster. But after the season he just had, it is not difficult to understand why the room backed him.

In just his second NHL season with the San Jose Sharks, Celebrini exploded for 115 points in 82 games, setting a franchise record while finishing fourth in NHL scoring. He also became a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award alongside Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov.

Still, seeing Crosby willingly step aside from the captaincy remains remarkable. Around the hockey world, Crosby has long been viewed as “Captain Canada,” making this feel like another example of the veteran superstar’s humility and leadership style.

“There’s no way Sid was ever going to take the C in this situation,” commented Penguins insider Josh Yohe.

Joining Celebrini and Crosby in the leadership group are John Tavares and Ryan O’Reilly as alternate captains.

Now, Canada will attempt to rebound from last year’s disappointing fifth-place finish and chase its first world championship gold medal since 2023.