Vancouver Canucks fans haven’t had a lot to cheer about this season, but they should have a rooting interest in the World Juniors.
Not only will Canada be one of the favourites to win gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship, being held Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Minnesota this year, but the Canucks’ top prospect is likely to make the team.
Braeden Cootes was among the 27 players named to Canada’s training camp roster for the tournament, which includes 15 forwards, nine defencemen, and three goalies.
If Canada follows the exact breakdown by position as last year, there’ll be just two more cuts left, one at forward and one on defence.
Cootes, who began the season with the Canucks but appeared in just three NHL games, has played well since being sent back to junior. The 18-year-old centre has 23 points (10-13-23) in 17 WHL games with the Seattle Thunderbirds this season.
Canada’s training camp roster is loaded this year, with 20 first-round picks named. That includes five players with NHL experience: Cootes, Jett Luchanko (Philadelphia Flyers), Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks), Brady Martin (Nashville Predators), and Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames).
Hockey Canada left the door open for more NHL talent to join the team, saying in a press release: “Hockey Canada will continue to work with National Hockey League (NHL) teams regarding players who are eligible for the IIHF World Junior Championship, and roster additions will be announced as necessary, pending player availability.”
In addition to Canada’s NHL-affiliated talent is Gavin McKenna, the left winger from Whitehorse who most expect will be drafted first overall in the upcoming NHL Draft. The 17-year-old phenom has 18 points in 16 NCAA games with Pennsylvania State University so far this season. He posted 129 points (41-88-129) in 56 games with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers in 2024-25.
McKenna is one of six returnees from last year’s team, which includes forwards Luchanko, Cole Beaudoin (Utah Mammoth), and Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers), as well as goaltenders Carter George (Los Angeles Kings) and Jack Ivankovic (Nashville Predators).
Canada’s training camp roster ahead of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
“This group represents the very best of Canadian junior hockey—skill, speed, sense, character, and a strong commitment to team success and the pride in representing Canada at this prestigious world championship,” said Team Canada GM Alan Millar. “Our staff has worked tirelessly to identify a roster that embodies the identity we want Canada to play, and we’re confident these athletes are ready for the challenge ahead. This process and team build came with many difficult decisions.”
Training camp will run from Dec. 12 to 22 in Niagara Falls, Ont., ahead of pre-tournament games against Sweden in Kitchener on Dec. 17 and 20. Canada will also face Denmark on Dec. 23 in Mankato, Minnesota. Canada’s first game of the World Juniors is Dec. 26 against Czechia.
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to coach this exceptional group of young men as we head into the World Juniors,” said Canada’s head coach, Dale Hunter. “Our goal is clear—we’re going to Minnesota to compete for a gold medal. I’m excited to get to work, bring this team together and help these players play the kind of fast, disciplined, determined hockey Canadians expect.”
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