Hockey Canada is now steps closer to finalizing its roster for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Jake O’Brien (SEA), Marek Vanacker (CHI) and Jackson Smith (CBJ) were released from Canada’s national junior team camp in Ontario following the first pre-tournament game against Sweden Wednesday night.

• Watch the OHL on FloHockey all season long
• Canada's Lineup For First Pre-Tournament Game
• Canada Announces World Junior Camp Roster

Notably, Canada has not said this finalizes its roster. There is still potential they could add a player or two from the NHL which would mean more cuts could be coming yet. However, with the release of O’Brien, Vanacker and Smith, Canada is awfully close to having its group for the tournament.

O’Brien is the top scorer in the OHL and one of the top skilled players in the age group. However, it didn’t seem like he was going to be a fit for the style that head coach Dale Hunter wanted to play. O’Brien’s offensive elements are undeniable, but it’s clear that they want some more well-rounded players in the mix.

Meanwhile, Vanacker was a late addition to the camp roster. He is the top goal scorer in the OHL right now and also has a good dose of grit to his game, which is why I was surprised he wasn’t on the initial camp roster. In the end, this is a hard team to make with a lot of gifted scorers. I still think Vanacker would have been a good fit for this team, but if there’s a comfort level with other players from the coaching staff, that’s the way it goes.

Smith, who is currently at Penn State, was a good option for Canada to see if they may need some extra power play help. However, with Cameron Reid and Ethan McKenzie looking like they can fill those needs, Smith’s utility probably went down a bit. He will still be eligible to play for Canada next year, and I’d have to think he’s on an inside track for one of those spots.

Now Canada has the bulk of their team. Among the players in camp, they have 22 skaters available to them, which is the number that can be registered with 20 skaters on the active roster for a given game.

There have been rumors and reports that the team could still be waiting on NHL loans. One such player would be Sam Dickinson of the San Jose Sharks. Should be be loaned, one defenseman would have to be cut from the final roster.

Additionally, Hockey Canada is said to be waiting to learn if Berkly Catton may be loaned by the Seattle Kraken. Catton has been out injured and Seattle could potentially let him go to the tournament if he is healthy enough. That would require one forward to be cut from the current list.

Canada will be able to play with the bulk of its roster in their next pre-tournament game, which is scheduled for Saturday at Canada Life Place in London, Ontario. That game is expected to be broadcast on TSN and streamed on TSN+ in Canada.

The final roster does not need to be submitted until the night before the tournament, while teams can always leave extra spots open just in case. However, once they fill their 25 slots, they can’t make any additional changes with the IIHF save for emergency situations.

Canada is set to open the World Junior Championship on Boxing Day against Czechia, the team that has bounced them in each of the last two World Junior Championships in the quarterfinals.

Canada's World Junior Camp Roster As Of Dec. 18

Forwards

• Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (DET)
• Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts (UTA)
• Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (VAN)
• Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (UTA)
• Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires (LAK)
• Michael Hage, C/W, Michigan (MTL)
• Tij Iginla, LW, Kelowna Rockets (UTA)
• Jett Luchanko, C, Brantford Bulldogs (PHI)
• Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds (NSH)
• Porter Martone, RW, Michigan State (PHI)
• Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (2026)
• Michael Misa, C, San Jose Sharks (SJS)
• Sam O'Reilly, C, London Knights (TBL)
• Cole Reschny, C/W, North Dakota (CGY)

Defense

• Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Barrie Colts (NYI)
• Harrison Brunicke, RHD, Pittsburgh Penguins (PIT)
• Ben Danford, RHD, Brantford Bulldogs (TOR)
• Carson Carels, LHD, Prince George Cougars (2026)
• Ethan Mackenzie, LHD, Edmonton Oil Kings
• Zayne Parekh, RHD, Calgary Flames (CGY)
• Cameron Reid, LHD, Kitchener Rangers (NSH)
• Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, North Dakota (2026)

Goaltending

• Carter George, Owen Sound Attack (LAK)
• Jack Ivankovic, Michigan (NSH)
• Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars (SJS)

Team Canada World Junior Championship 2026 Schedule

Friday, December 26

• 8:30 p.m. ET - Czechia vs Canada

Saturday, December 27

• 4:30 p.m. ET - Latvia vs Canada

Monday, December 29

• 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs Denmark

Wednesday, December 31

• 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs Finland

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