All-Star sensation Scott to captain USA in the Wayne Gretzky Ice Hockey Classic

TEG and TLA, in association with not-for-profit organisation STOPCONCUSSIONS, are delighted to announce that ice hockey’s biggest cult heroes will be heading to Australia to captain the USA team in the 2016 Wayne Gretzky Ice Hockey Classic presented by Scotia Bank and supported by Hungry Jacks and Destination NSW.

Captain John Scott and assistant captain Bryce Salvador will lead team USA, with ice hockey veteran Nolan Yonkman announced as assistant captain for Canada as one of world sport’s most famous rivalries is contested on the ice across the country
The announcement caps a fairy-tale six months for John Scott who earlier this year captained the Pacific Division team to victory in the NHL All-Stars Game. Scott made the team after winning a fan vote and went on to score two goals and pick up the All-Stars MVP award for his performance.

Fan favourite Scott, who has nearly 300 appearances in the NHL for Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Arizona Coyotes, plays as an enforcer and is well known for his physical style of play. His inclusion in the All-Stars Game has been called one of the feel good sport stories of recent times and is now being made into a movie with some pundits giving it the title of a “Hockey Rocky”.  

“It’s been an incredible season for me and coming to Australia to captain the USA team in the Wayne Gretzky Ice Hockey Classic will be yet another highlight,” Scott said.

“Leading the Pacific team to victory in the All-Stars game was the greatest moment of my career to date and I hope that I can repeat the feat with the USA. Any time the USA and Canada face off it’s a massive event and I can’t wait to come Down Under for the first time and play in front of Australian ice hockey fans.”

Announced alongside Scott is assistant captain Bryce Salvador, who brings a wealth of experience to the team. Salvador had a stellar 14-year career in the NHL including three as captain of the New Jersey Devils.

After a lengthy pro career spanning 15 years, journeyman Nolan Yonkman will take on the role as assistant captain for Canada and will play a key role in their defence. Standing 6ft 6in and weighing 111kg, Yonkman will be an imposing figure for the USA forwards to contend with.
STOPCONCUSSIONS director and former European star, Kerry Goulet said the foundation is excited about securing some of the NHL’s biggest stars for the tour of Australia.

“I am very pleased to be able to present, arguably the biggest story from the NHL season so far,” Goulet said. “It has taken several months working on this opportunity but today I am pleased to say John Scott, 2016 MVP of the NHL All Star game will lead the USA.”
TEG CEO Geoff Jones said that this announcement was just the beginning with more big names to follow. 

“John Scott is one of the biggest personalities in the sport so it will certainly be exciting both on and off the ice with him involved,” Jones said. “With more big name players to be announced soon ice hockey fans across Australia should be very excited about what is to come.”
TLA Worldwide Chairman Bart Campbell was thrilled to have John Scott as one of the headline signing.
“Having John Scott signed up to captain the USA is fantastic news for the event,” Campbell said. “His performance in the All-Stars game is one of the most amazing sporting stories of the year. John is a fierce competitor on the ice and will be desperate to perform in front of the Australian fans.”

With ‘The Great One’ Wayne Gretzky hosting the series and attending the game in Sydney, the 2016 Wayne Gretzky Ice Hockey Classic is set to be bigger and better than ever.