Earlier this week, Hockey Canada announced its 27-player training camp roster for the 2026 World Junior Championship, which begins in two weeks on Friday, Dec. 26.
One notable omission from the group was Chicago Blackhawks 2024 first-round pick (No. 27 overall) Marek Vanacker, who’s currently leading the Ontario Hockey League in goals and tied for fourth in points. While Canada has a luxury of riches to choose from once again for the tournament, it was hard to fathom that Vanacker didn’t earn himself a roster spot with the way he’s lighting up the OHL so far this season.
However, on Friday afternoon, Hockey Canada named Vanacker as a late addition to the camp roster. Michael Misa, the second overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, is staying in San Jose to continue rehabbing from a recent injury. That opened up a roster spot, and Vanacker was the Canadians’ choice to fill it.
Vanacker is undoubtedly deserving of the opportunity to prove himself in the selection camp over the next week. The 19-year-old forward is scoring at a goal-per-game rate for the Brantford Bulldogs this season, with 26 goals through 26 games. Vanacker is also second in the OHL with eight power-play tallies and has seven multi-goal performances. Two have resulted in hat tricks. There have been only nine games in which he didn’t find the back of the net.
There were rumblings that Vanacker wasn’t named to the initial roster due to concerns about his game away from the puck, plus, Team Canada’s forward group already possesses several high-level goal scorers. While his goal-scoring has jumped off the charts this season, Vanacker has always been a sturdy two-way player during his time playing junior hockey in Brantford. He’s consistently been a staple on the team’s penalty kill in his four OHL seasons, and he provides solid speed and pressure on the forecheck and backcheck. Vanacker also has some decent size, with a 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame.
It’s unlikely that Vanacker gets positioned inside Canada’s top six, but he’s still a player who can contribute in various ways down on the third or fourth line. He’s not just a one-trick pony, which is what made his absence peculiar. All is well that ends well, though.
There’s still work to be done for Vanacker to make the official tournament roster, but at least he now has that chance after receiving a late invitation. It’s worth noting that Misa, who’s played in the NHL and AHL for the Sharks’ organization this season, is still expected to be loaned to Canada for the World Juniors.
Likely one forward will be cut from Team Canada’s final roster, and Vanacker must prove himself to the coaching staff (again) to make the squad.
The 2026 World Junior Championship runs from Friday, Dec. 26 to Monday, Jan. 5, with games being played in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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