Projecting Canada’s 2024 World Junior Championship roster

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis
Projecting Canada’s 2024 World Junior Championship roster
Credit: (Photo by Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

In exactly two months’ time, Canada will be gearing up for their opening game at the 2024 World Junior Championship in Sweden against Finland. It’s one of Canada’s biggest rivals, and it’ll help kick the tournament off with a bang.

Canada is seeking its third consecutive gold medal at the world juniors, with wins on home ice in Edmonton and Halifax the past two years. Canada won’t have Connor Bedard leading the way this time, and many in the sport think Canada won’t have as easy of a run to the championship if they’re to keep their winning streak alive.

To set the stage: Canada’s training camp will run from Dec. 10-13 at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario. They’re expected to play two games against a U SPORTS all-star team, with cuts expected within hours of the second game on Dec. 13. They’ll then travel to Europe to take part in pre-tournament games, but the schedule for that isn’t clear just yet.

Today, Daily Faceoff news writer and prospect aficionado Colton Davies has joined me to put together potential rosters for Canada’s 2024 world junior team. There are a few things to note: while eligible, there’s no way Bedard’s part of the team, and Adam Fantilli’s participation is unlikely, too. Kevin Korchinski and Matthew Poitras both looked ready to spend the year in the NHL after great starts, too. But if either are loaned back to Canada, watch out, world.

Beyond that, here’s who we think could make Team Canada:

STEVEN ELLIS’ LINEUP

Forwards

Matt Savoie (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

Zach Benson – Conor Geekie – Matthew Savoie
Jordan Dumais – Shane Wright – Brayden Yager
Colby Barlow – Nate Danielson – Matthew Wood
Owen Beck – Fraser Minten – David Goyette
Macklin Celebrini

While there’s no Bedard this year, scoring depth shouldn’t be an issue for Canada. The team will likely be highlighted by the Wenatchee Wild’s trio of Benson, Geekie and Savoie. Benson started the year with the Buffalo Sabres, but after a slow start to the regular season, going back to the WHL and playing in the world juniors would be huge for his development. I’d expect Benson and Savoie to fight for the tournament lead in scoring.

The one notable returning player would be Shane Wright, who most expected to not really be in consideration last year, let alone this year. But with no room for him in Seattle, he’ll likely serve as Canada’s captain while displaying his two-way game. Add in Brayden Yager, a WHL standout, and Jordan Dumais – the best forward in the CHL outside of Bedard last year – and you’ve got one heck of a scoring trio.

I love the idea of the third line here. You’ve got a nice mixture of strength and offensive flair, and I’d argue it could be the most dangerous team to play against. Wood has looked good at the University of Connecticut and was a leader on Canada’s top line at the U-18 World Championship. If Macklin Celebrini was to make this team, I’d like to see them linked up again. Danielson had a great preseason with Detroit, and, arguably, could have started there. And then there’s Barlow, one of the best sharpshooters in the CHL and willing to play with an edge. There’s so much to like here.

The fourth line is always the most difficult, because you’re still looking for skill, but know the ice time is limited and the options are plentiful. After starting the year in Toronto, Minten on the fourth line would be an excellent option thanks to his stout two-way play. He and Beck can share the faceoff duties while defensively responsible, while Goyette – one of the OHL’s top players – would give them the high-end scorer they need. Throw in Yager as the 13th forward, and this group’s going to be difficult to play against every single shift.

Going back to Celebrini briefly: his start in the NCAA, mixed in with his status as the top prospect for 2024, is someone the team will consider, for sure. The Canadiens brought two 2023 prospects in Bedard and Adam Fantilli last year, but it’s still rare for them to lean on youngsters like that. Bedard was special, while Fantilli was an older draft eligible as a 2004-born forward. In Celebrini’s case, I think he’ll be a late cut in favor of someone older, but I do think he deserves a spot.

Defensemen

Tristan Luneau (Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports)

Denton Mateychuk – Tristan Luneau
Owen Pickering – Oliver Bonk
Tanner Molendyk – Michael Buchinger
Maveric Lamoureux

Let’s be clear: if Kevin Korchinski gets loaned back to the WHL, he’s the No. 1 defenseman, no question about it. But with how he’s playing in Chicago, it’s starting to look unlikely he’ll be available for training camp in Oakville.

So, if we don’t include him, this is a step down from last year’s defensive group. Luneau, the QMJHL’s reigning top defender, made a big enough impact to get a few games with the Anaheim Ducks after the preseason. He’ll likely run the team’s No. 1 power play operation. Mateychuk is one of Columbus’ top prospects and a smart, two-way defender with good hockey smarts. I expect him to play heavy minutes with Canada.

Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk will help lead the team’s third pairing, with Guelph Storm defenseman and St. Louis Blues pick Michael Buchinger doing enough this year, in my opinion, to play a good two-way game with Canada.

Goalies

Dom Divincentiis (Tim Cornett/OHL Images)

Domenic DiVincentiis
Reid Dyck
Scott Ratzlaff

Same old, same old. Goaltending is always a wild card for Canada, but they just need one to step up. My guess is DiVincentiis will be the one to get the call after a remarkable season with North Bay last year, earning himself goalie of the year honors. He has already done some heavy lifting this year with the Battalion, and while his stats are a step down from a year ago, that was to be expected. When he gets hot, he really gets hot.

While last year had its moments, Dyck is playing the best hockey of his career with Swift Current. It’s safe to say “defense” hasn’t been deployed in front of him often the past three years, but he’s had some excellent showings this year already. And while his stats at the 2022 U-18 World Championship look awful, Dyck was one of the few that actually seemed to show up.

Hockey Canada brought just two goaltenders last year, but with the event heading back overseas, I’d expect them to bring over a third option. Ratzlaff was Canada’s starter at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he was an absolute rock en route to the team’s title. Had he not been chasing the Memorial Cup, Ratzlaff would have been the team’s go-to man at the U-18s, too. He’s now the clear No. 1 with the rebuilding Seattle Thunderbirds this year, and shots won’t be hard to come by this year.

COLTON DAVIES’ LINEUP

Forwards

Matt Poitras (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

Zach Benson – Conor Geekie – Matthew Savoie
Colby Barlow – Shane Wright – Matthew Wood
Jordan Dumais – Nate Danielson – Jagger Firkus
Owen Beck – Fraser Minten – Andrew Cristall
Macklin Celebrini

After the hot start in Buffalo, Benson and Wenatchee teammates Geekie and Savoie will command Canada’s top line. The trio has dominated the WHL the last couple of seasons and surely can be a line that Canada heavily relies upon.

Then it’s captain Canada, Wright, who is the most notable returnee among last year’s squad. Putting him with Barlow and Wood would create havoc in front of the net. Barlow has had a good start in Owen Sound, while Wood has three points through his first four NCAA games with UCONN.

My idea for the third line combines speed and skill all in one combination. Danielson will take charge at the center while playing alongside Dumais. I had Matthew Poitras slotted in on this line, but with him having a wonderful start with the Boston Bruins, it’s highly unlikely he will get loaned. With that said, my replacement for him would be Moose Jaw Warriors forward and Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus. Firkus has taken the WHL by storm to start the 2023-24 campaign, notching 11 goals and 23 points in his first 11 games. Frikus has been a prominent figure in the Warriors system the last few seasons, and while he is “undersized,” he has a lethal shot and the ‘Firkus Circus’ should be given a lengthy consideration to be on this roster.

The fourth line is my favorite. Owen Beck proved at last year’s WJC that he belongs on this squad, and the Peterborough Pete is one of the best penalty killers in the CHL. You team him up with Minten, and that should make quite the duo. Minten shocked everyone by making the Maple Leafs opening night roster; now, with him likely heading back to Kamloops soon, he will be one to watch as a point leader in the WHL. Then it comes down to Kelowna Rockets forward Andrew Crsitall, selected No. 40 overall by the Washington Capitals; Cristall has had a splendid start to the 2023-24 season, racking up 23 points in just 10 games.

Defensemen

Denton Mateychuk (Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports)

Denton Mateychuk – Tristan Luneau
Owen Pickering – Michael Buchinger
Tanner Molendyk – Maveric Lamoureux
Noah Warren

As Steven pointed out, if Korchinski is available for Canada, he’ll be their No. 1 option. Without him, though, Canada will rely upon Mateychuk and Luneau, which is a formidable duo. Mateychuk’s cousin, Owen Pickering, will slot in on the second pairing with OHL’s Michael Buchinger.

On the third pairing, you get a mix of mobility and size with Molendyk using his elite edges, and 6-foot-8 Lamoureux playing a shutdown role. As for the seventh defenseman, it was a hard choice, but I went with the Victoriaville Tigres’ Noah Warren. Warren is a monster 6-foot-6, 225-pound shutdown defender who uses his size and physicality to control the game, something Canada could use.

Goalies

Carson Bjarnason (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)
Carson Bjarnason (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

Domenic DiVincentiis
Scott Ratzlaff  
Carson Bjarnason

After a remarkable season with North Bay last season that saw DiVincentiis claim top goalie honors, it’s a no-brainer to have him be the No. 1 guy for Canada. Ratzlaff, who is already looking like one of the top CHLers this year, should snag the No. 2 spot.

As for a third netminder, Brandon Wheat Kings starter and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carson Bjarnason deserves a chance. He suited up for Canada at the U18s, where he went 4-2-0 and posted a .849 save percentage while helping Canada claim bronze. A rough first game against Sweden damaged his stats, but he was otherwise a vital piece of the team’s puzzle.

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