2026 World Juniors Roster Projection: Team Canada

With Team Canada unveiling its roster for the 2026 World Junior Championships next week, we take a look at who should earn a spot.

2026 Team Canada World Juniors Roster

After losing in the World Junior Championships quarterfinal round in back-to-back years, Team Canada is looking to get back to the top of the junior hockey world at the 2026 World Junior Championships. That all starts with the selection of the 25 young men who’ll head to the US in hopes of bringing home their country’s 21st WJC gold medal. The team’s roster construction was highly criticised before and after the 2025 tournament, and many fans are hoping the staff has learned their lessons from those disappointing results.

This year’s World Junior Championship kicks off on December 26th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Team Canada will release its roster this coming Monday, December 8th. Below is our predicted roster for Team Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championships.

Projected Forwards

• Gavin McKenna (2026 Draft Eligible)
• Porter Martone (PHI)
• Michael Misa (SJ)
• Tij Iginla (UT)
• Jett Luchanko (PHI)
• Michael Hage (MON)
• Cole Reschny (CAL)
• Cole Beaudoin (UT)
• Liam Greentree (LA)
• Brady Martin (NSH)
• Caleb Desnoyers (UT)
• Jake O’Brien (SEA)
• Justin Carbonneau (STL)
• Braeden Cootes (VAN)

Also considered: Marek Vanacker (CHI), Malcom Spence (NYR), Cayden Lindstrom (CBJ)

Gavin McKenna (Penn State – NCAA) will headline a star-studded forward group that may also get help from 2025 number-two overall pick, Michael Misa of the San Jose Sharks. Misa started this season with the Sharks before suffering an ankle injury that has sidelined him since November 5th. He’ll begin a conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL for at most two weeks. That would time up perfectly for him to join Team Canada in Minnesota to play in the World Juniors before heading back to the Sharks. Misa was not selected for last year’s World Junior team, despite his high draft stock and ability.

Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets – WHL) is a player who is not being talked about enough leading up to this tournament. He has the potential to play a big role for Team Canada and will thrive on the big stage. Philadelphia Flyers prospects Porter Martone (Michigan State – NCAA) and Jett Luchanko (Brantford Bulldogs – OHL) will also play a big role up front as they are both dominating their respective leagues. Keep an eye out for Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats – QMJHL) as well. He’s considered ‘on the bubble’ to make the team by many, but the kid shines when the lights are the brightest, and I don’t think you can leave him at home.

Key Offensive Players Absent

There are two players noticeably absent from this list, Berkeley Catton and Ben Kindel, who were both surefire locks to play on this team. With their current record and stretch of injuries, we don’t see the Seattle Kraken loaning Berkley Catton to Team Canada for the tournament. He’s played well despite not finding the back of the net yet and has been a big part of the Kraken’s culture shift this year, on and off the ice. Ben Kindel of the Pittsburgh Penguins would have been another top-6 lock for this team, but the youngster has been impressive so far in his rookie season and looks to have cemented his spot in their NHL lineup.

Projected Defencemen

• Zayne Parekh (CAL)
• Kashawn Aitcheson (NYI)
• Keaton Verhoeff (2026 Draft Eligible)
• Harrison Brunicke (PIT)
• Cameron Reid (NSH)
• Ben Danford (TOR)
• Jackson Smith (CBJ)
• Owen Protz (MON)

Also Considered: Tarin Smith (ANA), Carson Woodall (UDFA), Xavier Villeneuve (‘26 Draft Eligible), Carson Carels (‘26 Draft Eligible)

The Calgary Flames have already confirmed that they will loan Zayne Parekh to Team Canada for the tournament, and we do expect the Penguins to loan Bruicke as well. Unfortunately for Team Canada, we don’t see San Jose loaning their rookie defenceman, Sam Dickinson, as he has been seeing a lot more ice time lately. He will most likely stay with the Sharks to continue his development plan. Dickinson’s absence should bump Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts – OHL) up to the first pairing with Parekh, giving him a great opportunity to contribute with a lot of ice time.

17-year-old Keaton Verhoeff (North Dakota – NCAA) will also get a chance to show his game in front of scouts on the biggest stage ahead of this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers – OHL) is a prospect considered to be slightly ‘on the bubble, but his strong skating ability should lead to his selection. Owen Protz (Brantford Bulldogs – OHL) should get the final nod for Team Canada due to his hard-nosed style of play. He’s 6’2″, 207 lbs, and is extremely physical and is not afraid to lay a hit. That play style should be of value to Team Canada in a highly competitive international tournament like the World Juniors.

Projected Goaltenders

• Carter George (LA)
• Jack Ivankovic (NSH)
• Joshua Ravensbergen (SJ)

Also Considered: Evan Gardner (CBJ), Ryerson Leenders (BUF)

The first two Goalies on the roster are easy picks. Both Carter George (Owen Sound Attack – OHL) and Jack Ivankovic (Michigan – NCAA) return from the 2025 team. George will fill the number one role for Team Canada. The third goaltender spot is where things get messy. Team Canada has several options here. Due to his recent performance in Prince George, they should go with Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars – WHL). The WHL named Ravensbergen as their Goalie of the Month for November. There are other solid options like Gardener and Leenders, but his play as of late gives Ravensbergen the slight edge for the number three goalie spot.