2026 World Juniors Preview: Is Team Canada back?

When Hockey Canada held a media debrief less than 12 hours after its second straight quarterfinal exit, the management staff looked understandably befuddled.

The loss marked just the second time since the early 1980s that Canada didn’t medal in consecutive years, while Czechia went on to beat Sweden for bronze. This was a program that expects gold and had won three of four years dating back to 2020. But after falling short in Sweden, and then collapsing on home ice, something had to change.

Canada ultimately tapped Alan Millar to become the team’s full-time general manager, while Byron Bonora was tasked as serving as the team’s head scout. Add in the Hunter brothers – Mark and coach Dale – to the leadership team and it was clear that the group meant business heading into Minnesota.

Will things change? Can Canada get back to the top step of the podium? Can they finally beat Czechia? Let’s break things down:

Looking Back to 2025

Expectations, as always, were high for Canada. They made the bold decision to leave Michael Misa, Zayne Parekh and Beckett Sennecke at home, despite the three putting an absolute beating on the rest of the OHL. The team’s lack of scoring ended up biting them in the butt in ways that nobody could have expected.

The tournament started off well with a convincing 4-0 victory over Finland on the opening night. But an injury to Matthew Schaefer in the opening frame against Latvia was just the start of an ugly night for the team, who ultimately lost 3-2 to Latvia in the shootout. Canada shut out Germany two nights later, but never looked close to beating the United States in a 4-1 loss on New Year’s Eve.

Canada needed a reset heading into the quarterfinal. They knew the Czechs were going to be a handful, but Canada had beaten them in pre-tournament action just more than a week prior. But after allowing three goals in the first period, Canada couldn’t find a way to battle back and ultimately lost 4-3 in one of the most exciting games of the tournament.

Goaltenders

Canada’s goaltending has been a topic of discussion far too often. Usually, Canada is just trying to find one guy who can handle the starter gig.

This year? They have a trio of legitimate options. Carter George (Los Angeles Kings) and Jack Ivankovic (Nashville Predators) are back in the midst of strong seasons for both. George is one of the top goaltenders in the CHL, putting up solid numbers on a mid-pack Owen Sound Attack squad. Most expect him to be traded once he returns from the WJC – but right now, his focus is on trying to prove why he was one of the top goaltenders from the 2025 tournament.

Ivankovic, meanwhile, has been lights out in the NCAA. He’d likely be the starter on just about any other team in this tournament, but he’ll have to share the crease with George. Ivankovic has never lost a tournament when he has served as starter for Canada, and he’ll likely get the opportunity to be “the guy” next year. If George falters, Ivankvoic is one heck of a fallback option to lean on.

Canada is expected to cut one of their three goalies, and Joshua Ravensbergen (San Jose Sharks) feels like the odd man out. He was a first-round pick in 2025 (ahead of Ivankovic) and has been great in the WHL. Most other years, he’d be Canada’s No. 1 – he just happened to be in the same age group as two of the best junior-aged goalies the nation has seen in recent years.

That’s tremendous net depth – the best of any team in the tournament. But, hey, we saw last year that good goaltending will only get you so far.

Defensemen

Canada got a huge boost from the NHL after Calgary and Pittsburgh loaned Zayne Parekh and Harrison Brunicke, respectively. Parekh has missed the past few weeks with an injury, but if he’s healthy and ready to go, he’ll be the team’s power-play quarterback. Parekh was cut from the team last year despite being one of the CHL’s top defenders – there was no way they were going to say no to him this year.

As for Brunicke, the former WHLer looked great to start the NHL preseason and managed to stick around with the Penguins. He eventually fell out of the lineup and would need a trip to the AHL to get some playing time. But there’s no reason why the South African-born defender can’t eat heavy minutes for this team. Parekh is expected to be Canada’s top right-side blueliner, with Brunicke carrying the load on the second pair.

Kashawn Aitcheson (New York Islanders) and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Keaton Verhoeff give Canada some serious toughness. Aitcheson is an absolute beast on the blueline, giving the team a mix of skill and toughness while being able to play all situations. He’ll likely play on the top pairing, giving Parekh free rein to cause chaos with the puck. Verhoeff, meanwhile, will be a bit more offensively inclined, but can play just about any role Canada needs him to take on.

For the rest of the group, Cameron Reid (Nashville Predators) is the best skater on this blueline, and that’ll be key late in games. He’s having a strong year in Kitchener and should challenge for top-pairing work on Canada’s roster next year. But for now, his mobility and hockey sense will be alluring. Ben Danford (Toronto Maple Leafs) will kill penalties and block shots for Canada, just like he does with the Brantford Bulldogs. For a bit more flash, Jackson Smith (Columbus Blue Jackets) can contribute offensively. He can play a bit too loosey-goosey at times as he tries to beat players with his quick hands. But when he calms down and focuses on keeping things simple, Smith is as effective as they get.

Forwards

Getting Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks) from the NHL is absolutely massive for the Canadians. His ability to drive the net and create chances is better than just about anyone’s at this tournament – especially after spending the past few months playing and training against NHLers. The Oakville, Ont., native won the CHL’s MVP title last year, and it’s only a matter of time until he’s a certified NHL star.

The same goes for both Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers). Neither player stood out in 2025 (Martone played only half the tournament), but both look primed to be top liners. The pair have experience playing together internationally, nearly breaking the all-time scoring record together at the 2024 U-18 World Championship. Add in Misa, who looked great with Martone during the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and that line will create havoc.

Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage finally gets his opportunity to represent his nation. He was one of Canada’s best players at the World Junior Summer Showcase and is absolutely lighting up the NCAA. Jake O’Brien (Seattle Kraken) is one of the smartest players on this roster, with his two-way game proving to be one of the driving forces behind the Brantford Bulldogs’ success this season. He can play just about anywhere in the lineup – even the No. 1 C job if needed.

Speaking of versatility, that’s where Tij Iginla (Utah Mammoth) shines. He can shoot, score, hit, hustle and block shots. You can throw him on just about any line and you’ll be happy with his output. The same goes for another Mammoth prospect, Cole Beaudoin. The returning forward was used on the penalty kill a year ago, where he also hit everyone in sight. He’ll still likely play in the bottom six, but given he’s tracking for more than 70 assists and 100 points, we might see him trusted in more critical situations, as well. Keeping with the Utah theme, Caleb Desnoyers has been one of the QMJHL’s most dangerous players as of late after overcoming an early season injury. The timing could have been better for Canada.

The rest of the lineup features a bit of everything. Cole Reschny (Calgary Flames) is determined to get the puck where it needs to be at every possible moment. He’s also no stranger to big moments with Canada – could another be in the cards? Jett Luchanko (Philadelphia Flyers) is a two-way monster with a handful of NHL games under his belt. The same goes for Braeden Cootes, who kicked the season off with the Vancouver Canucks. If you need an energetic shift, Carter Bear (Detroit Red Wings) and Brady Martin (Nashville Predators) love to get involved every way they can. Sam O’Reilly (Tampa Bay Lightning) makes life difficult for whoever thinks they can steal the puck off him, while Marek Vanacker (Chicago Blackhawks) is the OHL’s top goal-scorer. Two forwards will be cut – so the next week will be interesting.

Canada’s offense is one of the deepest in the tournament – perhaps the deepest. But if they can’t find ways to click consistently, it might not matter.

2026 NHL Draft

It’s rare for two of the top prospects from the upcoming draft to make Canada’s World Junior team – let alone have significant roles.

Gavin McKenna is still the projected No. 1 prospect. He’s on pace for about 40 points this year in college, which would be good for fifth among U-19 NCAA players since 2009-2010. It’s very difficult for a 17-year-old to produce in college, and McKenna rarely takes a night off from the scoresheet. I just wish he’d play with a bit more intensity – his effort level has been an issue for a few years now. That being said, McKenna was the primary reason why Canada won gold at the 2024 U-18 World Championship – he finished with 20 points in seven games. By all accounts, he’ll be one of Canada’s most important players, regardless of position.

On the point, look for Keaton Verhoeff to be an absolute handful. His unique blend of size, mobility and offensive awareness makes him a unicorn in the draft. Teams love players with his type of skillset and 6-foot-4 frame. I appreciate that he jumped to the NCAA to push himself, and it feels like his intensity and play under pressure have improved because of it. Big defenders often need to get a bit more creative to avoid being typecast, and Verhoeff definitely looks the part of an all-situations defender. That’s exceptionally important for Canada.

Carson Carels has become one of the most popular prospects in the game in recent weeks. His name started to appear in the WJC rumor mill a few weeks ago, and his strong play at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge helped solidify that. He’s strong, smart and excellent with the puck, and his defensive game is among the best of any blueliner in this draft class. Look for him to go in the top 10 in June.

The only re-entry draft prospect available this year is defenseman Ethan MacKenzie, who has never previously represented Canada internationally. But his play with the Edmonton Oil Kings has been hard to ignore – especially while he’s in the midst of a breakthrough year. He’s a smart two-way defender who battles tremendously hard, hits harder and can outskate the competition. He’ll likely play more of a minor role for Canada, but MacKenzie absolutely deserves your attention.

Projection

You’re not going to find a deeper team than Canada. They don’t have a true weak point – something other contenders can’t say. But having an all-star caliber team doesn’t matter if the excecution isn’t there. It can be difficult trying to meld a group like this together, which is why Hockey Canada decided to focus their efforts with their training camp format compared to their usual selection camp escapades. After two quarterfinal exits, a third would be an utter disaster. But with the depth of talent at each position, anything less than gold would feel like a failure for this group.

Schedule

Dec. 17 vs. Sweden – 7:00 PM ET (Pre-tournament)
Dec. 20 vs. Sweden – 7:00 PM ET (Pre-tournament)
Dec. 23 vs. Denmark – 7:00 PM ET (Pre-tournament)
Dec. 26 vs. Czechia – 8:30 PM ET
Dec. 27 vs. Latvia – 4:30 PM ET
Dec. 29 vs. Denmark – 8:30 PM ET
Dec. 31 vs. Finland – 8:30 PM ET

NHL Prospects

Forwards:
Carter Bear (Detroit Red Wings)
Cole Beaudoin (Utah Mammoth)
Braeden Cootes (Vancouver Canucks)
Caleb Desnoyers (Utah Mammoth)
Liam Greentree (Los Angeles Kings)
Michael Hage (Montreal Canadiens)
Tij Iginla (Utah Mammoth)
Jett Luchanko (Philadelphia Flyers)
Brady Martin (Nashville Predators)
Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers)
Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks)
Jake O’Brien (Seattle Kraken)
Sam O’Reilly (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Cole Reschny (Calgary Flames)

Defensemen:
Kashawn Aitcheson (New York Islanders)
Harrison Brunicke (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Ben Danford (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames)
Cameron Reid (Nashville Predators)
Jackson Smith (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Goaltenders:
Carter George (Los Angeles Kings)
Jack Ivankovic (Nashville Predators)
Joshua Ravensbergen (San Jose Sharks)

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