Michael Misa will play for Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, and San Jose Sharks teammate Sam Dickinson might join him.

The Sharks will make a decision soon regarding their top-flight prospect. Do they loan Dickinson to Team Canada or continue to deploy him in the NHL? Head coach Ryan Warsofsky has deflected questions about what the team is thinking, stating that Mike Grier would have a better answer. The only issue is that Grier isn’t readily available to the media like Warsofsky.

“He’s here tonight. He’s playing for us. It’s probably a better question for Mike, but he’ll play for us tonight,” Warsofsky said before the San Jose Sharks faced the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

Dickinson would play 14:19 for the Sharks during their 3-2 comeback overtime win against the Maple Leafs. Over his last five games, Dickinson is averaging 16:37 minutes per game. That number is up from his season average of 14:49. The Sharks also haven’t deployed their top defense prospect on a power play.

Warsofsky has begun to utilize the 19-year-old on the penalty kill, however. Against Toronto, Dickinson played 1:10. With Vincent Desharnais out through at least the Christmas break, Dickinson has stepped up for his normal d-partner.

On the latest edition of TSN’s Insider Trading, NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that Team Canada is holding out hope for adding Dickinson to its roster.

INSIDER TRADING…

– 🇨🇦 WJC team could get another NHLer
– Habs’ goaltending
– ‘Hand pass’ rulings fuel discussion
– OLY refs & officiating standard
– Who handles OLY discipline
– NHL encouraging teams to wear dark sweaters against each other

WATCH: https://t.co/xrM8pSaUhv pic.twitter.com/A2KVz9Ebmk

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 11, 2025

“Hockey Canada would love to get him. That would be viewed as a massive add. From what I can tell you is, they haven’t been told no,” Johnston said.

“There’s still a hope, there’s still a chance. Although one thing I should point out, he is playing a lot more for San Jose of late. He’s become a critical part of their team. They’ve been doing more winning early in the season. From the Sharks’ end of this equation, it is a big decision, one that will involve the coaching staff as well as management.”

Canada will enter the 2026 with a coach that Dickinson is very familiar with, Dale Hunter. Hunter was Dickinson’s head coach for the London Knights in the OHL. Since joining the San Jose Sharks, whenever asked about Hunter, Dickinson has spoken glowingly about the legendary coach.

“How to coach each individual person. He gives you exactly what you need to succeed. He’s seen it firsthand. The career he’s had playing and he’s coached in the NHL. He is the best coach in junior hockey,” Dickinson said. “The commitment and determination that he puts into himself. He wants to win just as bad as the players do. That culture is showing you what it’s like to be a London Knight day one, when you show up.”

Team Canada and the other teams participating in one of the best annual hockey tournaments must have their rosters finalized before Dec. 26, the first day of official games.

The Canadians are currently holding a training camp in Niagara Falls from Dec. 13-22. Along with Misa, San Jose Sharks goalie prospect Josh Ravensbergen is attending.

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