On Friday, Blackhawks center Kirby Dach was named captain of Team Canada for the World Juniors.
Dach, 19, turned around his rookie season in the 2020 playoffs after playing in all nine of the Hawks' postseason games, picking up six points, as Chicago made it through the qualifying round against the Edmonton Oilers and lost in Round One to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The rookie had an underwhelming first NHL regular season, picking up 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 64 games, but after putting on size and elevating his game for the bubble, it's appears he's definitely on his way to becoming a dangerous center the Hawks will be able to throw on their first or second line for years to come.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Dach, selected by the Blackhawks at No. 3 overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, is ready to embrace the role of captain for Canada on a big stage. “I’m going to lead by example and I’m not going to be afraid to speak up when things need to be said in the dressing room... I’m going to have that pro mentality here," he said according to The Athletic's Scott Wheeler.
The International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Championships will begin on Dec. 25 in Edmonton.