2026 World Junior Championship: Team Canada Final Roster

Team Canada is looking to make a statement in the 2026 World Junior Championship with a return to the medal rounds. They finished in fifth place for the past two years, and they’re bringing a star-studded roster yet again with hopes to bring gold back home.

Goaltenders

Carter George, Jack Ivankovic, and Joshua Ravensbergen.

Carter George is currently playing for the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL. He’s posted a 10-9-2 record, a .899 save percentage (SV%), and a 3.12 goals-against average (GAA) in 22 games played this season. He’s likely to battle for a top spot in net for Canada in this year’s tournament alongside the two other goaltenders Canada selected. He was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in the second round (57th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings.

Jack Ivankovic is currently playing for the University of Michigan in the NCAA. He’s posted a 16-4-0 record, a .927 SV%, and a 1.90 GAA in 20 games played this season. He likely has the starting job locked down, and his international resume supports that, but anything can happen; there’s optimism that Canada’s goaltending could be strong this year. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in the second round (58th overall) by the Nashville Predators.

Joshua Ravensbergen is currently playing for the Prince George Cougars of the WHL. He’s posted a 16-6-0 record, a .921 SV%, and a 2.50 GAA in 22 games played this season. He makes another strong case to be Canada’s starting goaltender, but he doesn’t have much of an international resume. Ravensbergen was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, 30th overall by the San Jose Sharks.

Defencemen

Kashawn Aitcheson, Harrison Brunicke, Carson Carels, Ben Danford, Ethan MacKenzie, Zayne Parekh, Cameron Reid, and Keaton Verhoeff.

Kashawn Aitcheson is currently playing for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. He’s posted 32 points (19G, 13A) in 27 games played this season. He’ll be a serious two-way threat for Canada this year, and will likely translate his leadership skills to the World Juniors too. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft 7th overall by the New York Islanders.

Harrison Brunicke is one of the few players of Canada’s 2026 World Juniors roster who have NHL games under their belt. He’s split time in 2025-26 between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Between both teams, he’s posted five points (1G, 4A) in a combined 14 games. He most notably scored his first NHL goal this season. He was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in the second round (44th overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins

Carson Carels is currently playing for the Prince George Cougars of the WHL. He’s posted 29 points (8G, 21A) in 28 games this season. Carels, a product of Manitoba, looks to bring his leadership qualities and strong two-way game to Canada as they search for a medal this year. He’s one of the top eligible 2026 NHL Entry Draft prospects.

Ben Danford is currently playing for the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL. He previously played for the Oshawa Generals, posting four points (1G, 3A) before being traded to Brantford. He’s posted 12 points (1G, 11A) in 15 games played for the Bulldogs this season. He doesn’t have a long international resume, but he’ll look to be a major contributor to Canada’s two-way game this year. He was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft 31st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs

Ethan MacKenzie is currently playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL. He’s posted 31 points (10G, 21A) in 30 games played this season. He’s been a strong producer, and he poses a significant threat to any team facing Canada that tries to shut down their offence, but neglects their defence. MacKenzie, a great addition to Canada’s roster, looks to strengthen his draft stock as a physical, two-way defenseman trying to make an impression with an NHL club.

Zayne Parekh is currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the NHL. He’s posted just one assist/point in 11 games played this season. He’ll bring NHL experience to Canada’s squad this year as they chase gold. Parker was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft ninth overall by the Calgary Flames.

Cameron Reid is currently playing for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. He’s posted 29 points (9G, 20A) in 28 games played this season. He has a short list of international experience, but will look to be a top contributor to Canada’s roster this year. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft 21st overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

Keaton Verhoeff is currently playing for the University of North Dakota in the NCAA. He’s posted 11 points (4G, 7A) in 16 games played this season. He doesn’t have a ton of international experience, but he’s looking to cement his draft stock in a strong World Junior showing. Verhoeff is considered one of the top prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Forwards

Cole Beaudoin, Carter Bear, Braeden Cootes, Caleb Desnoyers, Liam Greentree, Michael Hage, Tij Iginla, Jett Luchanko, Brady Martin, Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly, and Cole Reschny.

Cole Beaudoin is currently playing for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. He’s posted 41 points (14G, 27A) in 25 games played this season. He’ll look to be a significant contributor in Canada’s pursuit of a medal this year. He was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft 24th overall by the Utah Mammoth.

Carter Bear is currently playing for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. He’s posted 27 points (13G, 14A) in 23 games played this season. He positions himself as a first-timer in international competition, but the Manitoban aims to be effective and continue to prove himself as a strong future NHL piece. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft 13th overall by the Detroit Red Wings

Braeden Cootes joins the short list of Canadians at the World Juniors, having played in NHL games. He’s currently playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL, and he’s posted 23 points (10G, 13A) in 17 games played this season. He was held pointless in three NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks. He doesn’t have a long international resume, but he’s been highly effective when called upon. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft 15th overall by the Vancouver Canucks.

Caleb Desnoyers is currently playing for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. He’s posted 25 points (6G, 19A) in 17 games played this season. He’s a candidate to have a strong showing, but his short international resume makes him a candidate to fall down the depth charts. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft fourth overall by the Utah Mammoth.

Liam Greentree is currently playing for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. He’s posted 32 points (16G, 16A) in 23 games played this season. He’s a likely candidate to have a big tournament showing for Canada this year, given his small resume representing his country. He was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft 26th overall by the Los Angeles Kings.

Michael Hage is currently playing for the University of Michigan in the NCAA. He’s posted 28 points (10G, 18A) in 20 games played this season. He’s making his debut representing Canada on the international stage, and he’ll look to make a big impact for Canada. He was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft 21st overall by the Montreal Canadiens.

Tij Iginla is currently playing for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. He’s posted 27 points (13G, 14A) in 17 games played this season. He’ll be one of Canada’s biggest impacts on their roster this year, and he’ll likely play in the top six. Iginla was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft sixth overall by the Utah Mammoth.

Jett Luchanko is another player on Canada’s roster with NHL games under his belt. He’s played eight NHL games to date, posting no points, but has been a strong player in the OHL, previously for the Guelph Storm, and most recently for the Brantford Bulldogs. With the Storm, he posted 17 points (2G, 15A) in 11 games before being traded to the Bulldogs, where he posted eight points (2G, 6A) in six games. He aims to be a significant asset to Canada this year, and he’ll look to be a strong two-way player for the Canadians in their medal pursuit. He was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft 13th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Brady Martin also has NHL games under his belt. He’s played three games for the Nashville Predators, posting just one assist in that span to his name. Martin is currently playing for the Son Greyhounds of the OHL and has posted 16 points (5G, 11A) in 13 games played. He aims to be a great middle-six piece that hits heavy, plays physical, and dominates on both ends of the ice. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft fifth overall by the Nashville Predators.

Porter Martone is currently playing for Michigan State University in the NCAA. He’s posted 20 points (11G, 9A) in 16 games played. He’s been a workhorse in the NCAA, and the Philadelphia Flyers prospect aims to elevate his play to another level. Martone was highly touted heading into the 2025 draft, and he aims for a bigger 2026 tournament after an underwhelming 2025 tournament. Martone was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Gavin McKenna is currently playing for Penn State University in the NCAA. He’s posted 18 points (4G, 14A) in 16 games played, and has certainly proved his keep since making the jump from the WHL. He’ll look to solidify himself as the guy in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft as he aims to be the number one overall draft selection.

Michael Misa joins the shortlist of players on Team Canada with NHL experience. He’s posted three points (1G, 2A) in seven NHL games this season with the San Jose Sharks. He’s also posted one assist in two AHL games this year. He hasn’t had much international experience, but getting the call to Team Canada adds depth in multiple ways, and Misa could provide an ‘it’ factor to Canada that they’ve lacked in previous years. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft second overall by the San Jose Sharks.

Sam O’Reilly is currently playing for the London Knights of the OHL. He’s posted 28 points (12G, 16A) in 28 games played this season. He’ll look to translate his relentless defensive style to the World Juniors for Team Canada as they pursue gold this year. He was drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft 32nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers

Cole Reschny is currently playing for the University of North Dakota in the NCAA. He’s posted 18 points (2G, 16A) in 16 games played this season. His style transitioning from the WHL to the NCAA hasn’t changed, and maybe with an increased role, Reschny could produce far beyond the expectations of many. He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft 18th overall by the Calgary Flames.

Final Thoughts on Country Roster

Canada possesses one of the strongest rosters in the World Junior Championship this year. They have players on the team with NHL games under their belt, and three strong goaltenders that make it a toss-up for who earns the starting job come quarterfinal time. Canada is in a position to win gold if they can get off to a hot start and sustain that throughout the entire tournament.

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