COLUMBUS, Ohio – Joe Pavelski (Plover, Wis.) was named captain today of Team USA for the World Cup of Hockey 2016, with Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y.) and Ryan Suter (Madison, Wis.) tabbed as alternate captains.

In addition, David Backes (Blaine, Minn.), Ryan Kesler (Livonia, Mich.), Ryan McDonagh (St. Paul, Minn.) and Zach Parise (Minneapolis, Minn.) will serve as part of the team’s leadership group.

The World Cup of Hockey 2016 is set for Sept. 17 - Oct. 1 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Team USA is currently conducting training camp in Columbus and will play Canada at Nationwide Arena in the first of three pre-tournament games Friday (Sept. 9).

“The great news for us is that we have plenty of leaders in our room,” said John Tortorella, head coach of the 2016 U.S. World Cup of Hockey Team. “In the end, in addition to our captain and alternate captains, we also selected four other players and those seven guys will form an overall leadership group for our team. Our goal is simple and that’s to win the World Cup.”