With Team Canada unveiling its roster for the 2026 World Junior Championships next week, we take a look at who should earn a spot.<\/p>\n
After losing in the 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\u2019ll head to the United States in hopes of bringing home their country\u2019s 21st WJC gold medal. The team\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s 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<\/a> roster for Team Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championships.<\/p>\n Also considered: Marek Vanacker (CHI), Malcom Spence (NYR), Cayden Lindstrom (CBJ)<\/em><\/p>\n 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<\/a>. Misa started this season with the Sharks before suffering an ankle injury that has sidelined him since November 5th. He\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> 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\u2019s considered \u2018on the bubble\u2019 to make the team by many, but the kid shines when the lights are the brightest, and we don\u2019t think you can leave him at home.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t see the Seattle Kraken<\/a> loaning Berkley Catton to Team Canada for the tournament. He\u2019s played well despite not finding the back of the net yet and has been a big part of the Kraken\u2019s culture shift this year, on and off the ice. Benjamin Kindel of the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> would have been another top-six 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.<\/p>\n Also Considered: Tarin Smith (ANA), Carson Woodall (UDFA), Xavier Villeneuve (\u201826 Draft Eligible), Carson Carels (\u201826 Draft Eligible)<\/em><\/p>\n The Calgary Flames<\/a> 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\u2019t see San Jose loaning their rookie defenceman, Sam Dickinson<\/a>, 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s NHL Entry Draft. Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers – OHL) is a prospect considered to be slightly \u2018on 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\u2019s 6\u20192″, 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.<\/p>\nProjected Forwards<\/h2>\n
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Key Offensive Players Absent<\/h4>\n
Projected Defencemen<\/h2>\n
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Projected Goaltenders<\/h2>\n