2027 World Junior Championship: A very early Canada roster projection
Anyone who watched Canada’s performance at the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor last week probably came away feeling extremely underwhelmed.
They lost to Sweden during the team’s first game, and then needed a big second-half comeback to beat the Finns. A 7-2 loss to the United States on the final day of play was a big blow for a team looking to make a huge impression on home ice.
But should Canada be worried? Honestly, it’s been a while since Canadian fans had something to cheer about at the U-20 level. It’s been an ugly few years, and the WJSS probably didn’t do much to break up the concerns. Contextually, though, it’s worth noting Sweden and Finland have plenty of experience playing as a group in international events (and brought fewer players, meaning more consistency in the lineup each night), and all of Canada’s opponents already had multiple games under their belt before Canada made their debut. Canada’s coaching staff clearly wanted to try different combinations out, but Saturday’s roster wasn’t too far from what we could see in Edmonton… and it left plenty to be desired.
This tournament is just a small sample size in the grand scheme of things, and the real tournament is still about half a year away. This was a scouting showcase for the teams, but nobody is making rash decisions because of what happened in Windsor. But we’re going to have some fun anyway: here’s what the roster could look like in Edmonton this December:
Forwards
Dima Zhilkin (2027) – Cole Reschny (CGY) – Brady Martin (NSH)
Caleb Desnoyers (UTA) – Braeden Cootes (VAN) – Cameron Schmidt (VAN)
Ethan Belchetz (UTA) – Caleb Malhotra (VAN) – Jake O’Brien (SEA)
Chase Harrington (CGY) – Tynan Lawrence (STL) – Jack Nesbitt (PHI)
Shea Busch (FLA), Ethan Czata (TBL)
Canada is lacking a high-end difference-maker, but will it matter? They’ll still have one of the deepest forward crops available, with very few players (seemingly) in the running to make the NHL out of training camp. The obvious players to watch are Cootes and Reschny, both of whom are returnees from the 2026 roster. Martin will take another crack at the Predators after starting the season with the big club, too. Beyond that, O’Brien could force his way into Seattle’s lineup, although some extra development time wouldn’t hurt. Losing all four of them would be a massive loss because the depth lacks the usual substance and starpower.
Reschny was Canada’s top player during the showcase, and I fully expect him to play a huge role again this year. Reschny played on the wing in Minnesota and I could see them pushing him there again if needed. His chemistry with Zhilkin, in particular, was so much fun to watch. An other duo I’d love to see is Malhotra and O’Brien (former Brantford Bulldogs teammates). Either of them can play center, but Malhotra’s two-way presence is a nice touch.
The depth is where the lack of a game-breaker really becomes noticeable. Schmidt has been one of the CHL’s premier offensive threats, but was quiet at the WJSS. Will he be given a legitimate, impactful role in Edmonton, or will his small stature hurt him here? I like Belchetz, but he’s not the guy to take over a game offensively. Same thing for Cootes – a lot of his value comes from his off-puck play, and not his pure offensive dominance. Something tells me Reschny, Martin and Zhilkin will be tasked with a large chunk of the scoring (assuming Martin isn’t in Nashville, of course).
This is far from Canada’s deepest offensive group. They’ll need some hidden gems to come through and provide some depth scoring to avoid the near-one-line brigade the team ran with through most of the event in Minnesota last year. I think they’re capable of putting the pedal to the metal against just about anyone in Edmonton later this year, but, obviously, that’s easier said than done based on recent results.
Defensemen
Carson Carels (CGY) – Keaton Verhoeff (SJS)
Cameron Reid (NSH) – Landon DuPont (2027)
Daxon Rudolph (BUF) – Ryan Lin (SJS)
Jackson Smith (CBJ) – Brek Liske (PHI)
This is the easiest position to project – and it’s probably the deepest Canada has. You’ll have the potential for some built-in chemistry (the top pair will be at North Dakota; second pair, Michigan; third, Denver), mixed in with plenty of international experience between the U-17s, Hlinka Gretzky and the U-18s. DuPont is the projected first pick in 2027; six of the other seven listed above ended up becoming first-rounders, with Liske being an exception. Liske, however, had an impressive run at the World Junior Summer Showcase and could make it as one of Canada’s depth options.
This group has a bit of everything: speed, size, skill, defensive awareness, you name it. I thought Verhoeff and Lin, in particular, looked solid in Windsor. I was shocked how poor Carels looked, but that’s likely just a blip for an otherwise stout two-way threat. DuPont can be an offensive demon on the point, and Rudolph was one of the CHL’s most dangerous puck-movers this past year. If anything, I’m almost more confident in Canada’s ability to score from the point than up front. But having star power will only take you far – let’s not forget that Canada’s 2025 Hlinka team failed to win gold despite bringing a very similar lineup.
Canada always seems to bring one guy who wasn’t on the radar prior, so I’ll throw one more out there: they seem to like Callum Croskery, who has a lot to prove this season after going undrafted; and Peyton Kettles, a big, strong defensive defender who was expected to be a big part of Kelowna before an injury ended his regular season after five games.
Goaltenders
Jack Ivankovic (NSH)
Lucas Beckman (OTT)
William Lacelle (2027)
It’s rare for a Canadian goaltender to get two cracks at the can, let alone three. But Ivankovic will finally get his chance at the No. 1 gig after backing up Carter George the past two years. Ivankovic has been a starter at various international events, most notably during the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky in Edmonton. Ivankovic is one of the small goalie prospects I truly believe in. He’s only 5-foot-11, but you’ll have a hard time finding a more competitive goalkeeper. He’s been a high-pedigree goaltender for a long time now, and Hockey Canada absolutely loves him.
A total of three goaltenders last season with QMJHL experience – Jake Allen, Colten Ellis and Samuel Montembeault – played in the NHL last year. Two Canadian QMJHL goalies were selected this past June, and, somehow, Lacelle wasn’t one of them. Lacelle put up excellent numbers between Rimouski and Blainville-Boisbriand, racking up seven shutouts and a .917 save percentage. Lacelle isn’t a big goaltender, but he’s still quite athletic and quick. He last played for Canada at the 2023 U-17s, to mixed results. Still, it feels like there’s a strong chance he’ll make this team, regardless.
I’m giving Beckman the nod as the backup, though. Yes, I know, he was awful in the final game on Saturday, but that’s one game. The Ottawa Senators prospect previously backed up Ivankovic at the 2024 Hlinka and 2025 U-18s. With a 3-0 record overall, Beckman played well in his spot duty, and I know Hockey Canada likes him. He has already played plenty of big game hockey (he won the Q title with Chicoutimi, and there’s his perfect record with Canada’s U-18 program), so it feels like a safe bet to give him a game or two in Edmonton.
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