Making the grade: Canada unveils world junior roster featuring plenty of youth
Gavin McKenna, the young star 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 is set to turn 17 next week, is considered a top prospect for the 2026 NHL draft. Joining him on the 25-player roster are fellow potential top picks Porter Martone, an 18-year-old winger, and 17-year-old defenceman Matthew Schaefer.
The team also includes five players who were part of last year’s squad, which finished fifth in Sweden. Forwards Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager, and Carson Rehkopf, along with defencemen Oliver Bonk and Tanner Molendyk, will provide experience and leadership to the team. Unfortunately, forward Matthew Wood and goaltender Scott Ratzlaff were unable to secure their spots for this year’s tournament.
The rest of the forward group consists of Bradly Nadeau, Jett Luchanko, Luca Pinelli, Berkly Catton, Ethan Gauthier, Calum Ritchie, Tanner Howe, Cole Beaudoin, and Mathieu Cataford. Nadeau, who did not attend the selection camp, was guaranteed a spot thanks to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.
On defense, Canada will be supported by Andrew Gibson, Sam Dickinson, Caden Price, Sawyer Mynio, and Beau Akey. The goaltending duties will be split between Jack Ivankovic, Carter George, and Carson Bjarnason.
Hockey Canada’s Peter Anholt expressed confidence in the team, stating, “We believe we have assembled a competitive and talented roster that will give us the best opportunity to win a gold medal on home ice.” The Canadians will be looking to add to their record 20 gold medals at the tournament.
After training camp in Petawawa, Ont., Canada will play pre-tournament games against Switzerland, Sweden, and Czechia. The tournament kicks off on Boxing Day at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, where Canada will face Finland in their opening match. The competition also includes defending champions United States, Latvia, and Germany in Group A.
Group B, hosted at TD Place, features Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan. Russia remains banned from the tournament due to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.
The world juniors return to Ottawa for the first time since 2009, where Canada clinched their fifth consecutive gold medal. Head coach Cameron, who led the team to victory in 2022, is excited to see the players represent their country on home soil. He believes the team’s competitiveness and determination will lead to success in their quest for gold.
