Montreal center Tomas Plekanec will captain his native Czech Republic at the upcoming World Hockey Championships, the club announced on Tuesday.
Plekanec, 33, has a wealth of international experience, and previously captained the Czechs at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The Worlds are a chance for Plekanec to end his year on a high note, after what was -- by all accounts -- a difficult season in Montreal.
Despite the team’s struggles, Plekanec did manage to produce well this season. His 40 assists were the second-most of his career, and his highest total since racking up 45 during the ’09-10 campaign.
As for the Worlds, Plekanec has enjoyed past success with the Czechs at this tournament. He won a silver medal in 2006, and back-to-back bronzes in 2011 and 2012.