Canada releases final roster for 2023 World Junior Championship

Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Canada has announced its 22-man roster for the World Junior Championship, set to begin on December 26 in Halifax.

Among Canada’s top players will be NHLers Shane Wright, Dylan Guenther and Olen Zellweger, top 2023 NHL Draft prospect Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, and notable returnees Logan Stankoven, Brennan Othmann and Olen Zellweger.

Canada cut 10 players on Monday after two scrimmages against a Canadian select university all-star team, including two goaltenders, three defensemen and five forwards. The IIHF allows 23 players on the roster, with Canada instead leaving an empty roster spot while rolling the dice in the crease.

The announced cuts were goaltenders William Rousseau and Tyler Brennan, defensemen Evan Nause, Carson Lambos and Ethan Samson, and forwards Zachary Bolduc, Jordan Dumais, Owen Beck, Riley Kidney and Ryan Greene.

Kidney was injured during Canada’s first scrimmage against U Sports and didn’t skate in Monday’s contest. Lambos, who made Canada’s summer team, was another notable cut, as was CHL leading scorer Jordan Dumais.

Canada won gold at the 2022 summer tournament, beating Finland in a thrilling overtime game. They’ll look to win back-to-back titles when they begin play against Czechia on Dec. 26. They’ll face Austria and Germany before a New Year’s Eve affair against Finland that will likely determine the winner of Group A.

Canada will open its three-game pre-tournament slate against Switzerland on Dec. 19 before playing Slovakia on Dec. 21 and Finland on Dec. 23.

Goaltenders

Benjamin Gaudreau (SJS)
Thomas Milic (2023)

Defensemen

Brandt Clarke (LAK)
Olen Zellweger (ANA)
Ethan Del Mastro (CHI)
Nolan Allan (CHI)
Kevin Korchinski (CHI)
Jack Matier (NSH)
Tyson Hinds (ANA)

Forwards

Shane Wright (SEA)
Brennan Othmann (NYR)
Logan Stankoven (DAL)
Joshua Roy (MTL)
Dylan Guenther (ARI)
Nathan Gaucher (ANA)
Zack Ostapchuk (OTT)
Caedan Bankier (MIN)
Colton Dach (CHI)
Reid Schaefer (EDM)
Zach Dean (VGK)
Adam Fantilli (2023)
Connor Bedard (2023)