Blackhawks’ Vanacker out to prove he belongs after late World Junior call-up

NIAGARA, Ont. – When Canada’s training camp roster was announced on Monday morning, the OHL’s leading goal-scorer was left off for the second straight year.

Last winter, it was Michael Misa, who finished the season with 62 goals and a CHL-leading 134 points. This year, it was Chicago Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker, who, with 26 goals in 26 games, is tracking for 65 with the Brantford Bulldogs.

Hockey Canada wouldn’t elaborate why Vanacker – or anyone else left off – wasn’t named to the roster. But on Friday afternoon, with players arriving to training camp in Niagara, Vanacker was officially added to the 28-man roster while Misa, a San Jose Sharks prospect, recovers from an injury.

“I didn’t really expect the call because the roster just came out, but it’s every kid’s dream since they’ve grown up,” Vanacker said after opening camp on Saturday. “So to get that call, it’s unreal.”

GM Alan Millar and coach Dale Hunter have four cuts to make as of now – two forwards, one defenseman and one goaltender. That means Vanacker only needs to beat out a pair of wingers to make the team, but that’s easier said than done. Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke was a late addition to Canada’s camp last year, and while he was one of the team’s better players during the two exhibition games against the U SPORTS select team, he was ultimately cut.

Hockey Canada is familiar with Vanacker. He played at the 2022 U-17 World Challenge before winning gold at the 2024 U-18s in Finland. In both instances, he was more of a bottom-six, depth addition. But given he’s leading the OHL in goals while playing on the most dangerous team in the league – alongside fellow Canadian WJC hopefuls Jake O’Brien, Jett Luchanko and Ben Danford – he’s a different player these days. O’Brien, in particular, plays alongside Vanacker, as well as Czech World Junior forward Adam Benak.

Vanacker would have felt like a long shot to make this team if you asked most scouts two years ago. But with his improved offensive play, he was always in the conversation.

“I worked on the puck touches around the net, my shot, being more deceptive and finding more open ice,” Vanacker said about his offseason improvements. “There are so many things you can do for scoring away from the puck, too, which I think I have improved on, being more involved.”

Coach Dale Hunter knows all about Vanacker’s exploits. His London Knights haven’t faced off against Brantford this year, but it’s hard to ignore a guy scoring at the rate he is.

“He is scoring tons this year, and he looked good when I went and watched him. “He’s had a good season so far, and now this is his chance to play for Team Canada.”

Vanacker credits his Bulldogs teammates for helping get his scoring on track. But his game has evolved so much over the past few years to the point where scouts see him as more than just the depth forward he was projected to be.

“He’s always involved one way or another,” one scout said. “You watch him in Finland (at the U-18s) and you see a guy who’s playing a role, blocking shots, killing penalties. Now he’s as involved as anyone on the scoresheet, and you love to see that.

Canada will hold practices in Niagara until Dec. 22, where they’ll fly out to Minnesota ahead of their final pre-tournament game against Denmark on Dec. 23. Before that, they’ll play Sweden in Kitchener on Wednesday, Dec. 17, and again in London on Dec. 20.

That’s enough time for Vanacker to prove himself worthy of making the final roster. Somethings might be out of his control – but if he plays his own game, it might all pay off with a trip down south.