Gavin McKenna: Canada unveils world juniors 2025 roster
Gavin McKenna Leads Team Canada at World Junior Hockey Championship
Gavin McKenna, the standout forward from the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers, has been selected to represent Canada at the upcoming world junior hockey championship. McKenna, who will be celebrating his 17th birthday next week, is considered a top prospect for the 2026 NHL draft.
Joining McKenna on the 25-player roster are fellow young talents Porter Martone and Matthew Schaefer, both vying for the top selection spot in the upcoming draft. The team also features five returning players from last year’s squad, including Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager, and Carson Rehkopf.
Unfortunately, two players from last year’s team, Matthew Wood and Scott Ratzlaff, did not make the cut this year. The rest of the forward lineup includes Bradly Nadeau, Jett Luchanko, and Luca Pinelli, among others.
On the defensive end, Canada will rely on Oliver Bonk, Tanner Molendyk, and newcomers Andrew Gibson and Sam Dickinson. In the crease, the team will be backed by goaltenders Jack Ivankovic, Carter George, and Carson Bjarnason.
Coach Peter Anholt expressed confidence in the roster, stating, “We believe we have assembled a competitive and talented team that will give us the best chance to win gold on home ice.”
Following training camp in Petawawa, Ont., Canada will play pre-tournament games against Switzerland, Sweden, and Czechia. The tournament will kick off on Boxing Day at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, with Canada facing off against Finland.
Group B at TD Place includes teams like Sweden, Czechia, and Switzerland. Notably, Russia remains banned from the competition due to ongoing conflicts.
The last time Ottawa hosted the World Juniors was in 2009, where Canada secured a fifth consecutive gold medal. Coach Cameron, who led the team to victory in 2022, is excited for the players to represent their country and compete for another championship.
Overall, the team is determined to bring home the gold and make their country proud on home soil.
This article was rewritten for a WordPress platform, based on a report by The Canadian Press dated December 13, 2024.
