Canada’s Carson Rehkopf, 19, attempts a shot on goal while Simon Lavigne, 24, from U Sports, defends during the opening period of the Canadian World Juniors selection camp at TD Place in Ottawa on Friday, December 13, 2024. (Photo: Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press)
Canada has unveiled its roster for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship, and it’s a youthful lineup bursting with talent. Leading the pack is Gavin McKenna, a 16-year-old forward from the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, who is already being touted as a potential top pick for the 2026 NHL Draft. Joining him are two other standout prospects: winger Porter Martone, 18, and defenceman Matthew Schaefer, 17, both contenders for the top spot in the 2024 NHL Draft.
This year’s squad also sees the return of five experienced players from last year's team. Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager, and Carson Rehkopf will strengthen the forward line, while Oliver Bonk and Tanner Molendyk bolster the defence. Missing from the roster, however, are forward Matthew Wood and goalie Scott Ratzlaff, who didn’t make the final cut for this year’s event.
Adding firepower to the offense are players like Bradly Nadeau, Jett Luchanko, and Berkly Catton, among others. Notably, Nadeau, who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, skipped this week’s selection camp but secured a spot due to his NHL availability. On defence, new faces include Andrew Gibson, Sam Dickinson, and Caden Price. Meanwhile, the goaltending trio features Jack Ivankovic, Carter George, and Carson Bjarnason, with Ivankovic being another young prospect eligible for next year’s draft.
Peter Anholt, head of Hockey Canada's under-20 program, expressed confidence in the team, emphasizing their competitiveness and skill. “This group of players is ready to represent Canada and strive for gold on home ice,” he said.
Canada, boasting a record 20 gold medals in the tournament's history, is looking for redemption after a quarterfinal exit against Czechia last year. This year’s championship will run from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa, where Canada last hosted and triumphed in 2009.
The team will hold a training camp in Petawawa, Ontario, before taking on Switzerland, Sweden, and Czechia in pre-tournament games. Canada’s Group A matches will be held at the Canadian Tire Centre, starting with a Boxing Day clash against Finland. Group B matches, featuring Sweden, Czechia, and other teams, will be played at TD Place.
Notable cuts include Zayne Parekh and Beckett Sennecke, both injured during selection camp but eligible for next year. The defending champions, the United States, along with Latvia and Germany, complete Group A, while Russia remains banned due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Head coach Dave Cameron, who previously led Canada to gold in 2022, is optimistic. “These players are ready to compete and make their country proud,” he said, adding that the experience will be invaluable for their development and Canada’s quest for gold.
