The 18-year-old, who was selected by the Kraken with the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, has two points (one goal, one assist) in eight NHL games this season. He also scored four goals in five games for Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League during a conditioning assignment.
The Kraken announced on Dec. 8 that they were loaning Wright to Canada for the WJC, which is being held from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick.
Defenseman Ethan Del Mastro (Chicago Blackhawks), and forwards Nathan Gaucher (Anaheim Ducks), Dylan Guenther (Arizona Coyotes) and Logan Stankovan (Dallas Stars) were named alternate captains.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada on home ice at the World Juniors, and it is a true honor to be named captain on a team with so many great players and leaders," Wright said. "Ethan, Nathan, Dylan and Logan are deserving of this recognition, and I look forward to contributing to the team's success with them as part of the leadership group. We are excited to play in front of Canadian fans in Halifax and Moncton as we look to defend gold."
Seattle's decision behind the loan was to afford Wright the opportunity to represent his country in a tournament played on home ice and to play meaningful minutes in pressure situations.
"Shane has played well during his professional debut," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said on Dec. 8. "We are happy for him and his family in achieving an NHL milestone, scoring his first NHL goal. Now he will represent Canada at the World Juniors in one of the most competitive tournaments, and we will watch him closely as he competes with his teammates for gold."
Canada, which is trying to win its second straight WJC gold medal, and 20th overall, will open its tournament against Czechia on Dec. 26. It will also play Germany on Dec. 28, Austria on Dec. 29 and Sweden on Dec. 31 in Group A of the preliminary round.
The tournament quarterfinals will be held Jan. 2, the semifinals Jan. 4, and the gold-medal game and bronze-medal game Jan. 5.
Luke Hughes, a defenseman prospect for the New Jersey Devils, was named United States captain Saturday. The 19-year-old had six points (one goal, five assists) in five games at the 2022 WJC in August, when the United States finished fifth. He was selected by the Devils with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Hughes has 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 20 games as a sophomore at the University of Michigan this season. He's the younger brother of Devils forward Jack Hughes and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes.
