Buffalo Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens has been announced as one of Team Canada's leaders for the upcoming 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alberta.
Along with Colorado Avalanche defensive prospect Bowen Byram, Cozens will serve as an alternate captain for Canada's squad when the tournament gets underway next Friday. Meanwhile, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Kirby Dach will serve as team captain for the Canadians.
This decision from head coach André Tourigny came as no real surprise as Cozens is one of six players, including Byram, returning from the 2020 Canadian roster that won the gold medal over the Russians in last year's tournament in the Czech Republic.
The 19-year-old was excellent in the 2020 tournament for Canada, picking up two goals and seven assists for nine points in seven games. The seventh overall pick of the Sabres in the 2019 NHL Draft served in a top-six role for the Canadians, playing down the middle and on the wing, playing on the power play and being a key net-front presence.
As for the 2021 World Juniors tournament, Cozens will be serving in a similar role for Team Canada as he has been practicing as the team's top line center with Dach on his right wing and fellow Sabres prospect Jack Quinn on his left wing.
Canada is expected to open its pre-tournament play on Monday, Dec. 21 against Sweden. However, with Sweden having two staff members testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, it is unclear whether that game will go on as scheduled.
The Canadians will also play Russia during pre-tournament action on Wednesday, Dec. 23 before opening the 2021 World Juniors on Saturday, Dec. 26 against Germany.