2026 World Junior Championship: Projecting Canada’s Roster
Canada is poised to compete for gold at the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota, although some important roster decisions are still pending. Among the players, 13 U-20 NHLers have appeared in at least one NHL game, all of whom are Canadian except Russia’s Matvei Gridin.
Current Player Loans and NHL Activity
- Players loaned back already include Nashville’s Brady Martin, Philadelphia’s Jett Luchanko, and Vancouver’s Braeden Cootes.
- Nine players remain active in the NHL, including:
- Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke
- Calgary’s Zayne Parekh
- New York Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer
- Pittsburgh’s Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke
- San Jose’s Sam Dickinson, Michael Misa, and Macklin Celebrini (who will definitely stay in the NHL)
“Schaefer, in particular, is already one of the most productive defenders – there’s no chance he’s going down.”
While most of these players will likely remain with their NHL teams, there is a possibility that Zayne Parekh, Catton, Kindel, and Brunicke could be sent back. However, the majority seem set to continue their NHL careers.
Preparation for the Championship
After suffering two quarterfinal defeats in past tournaments, Canada is determined to secure gold in Minnesota. Instead of a traditional selection camp, Hockey Canada will hold a 10-day training camp with the actual roster in Niagara. The team will also play two exhibition games in Kitchener and London as part of their preparation.
Author’s summary: Canada’s U-20 roster for the 2026 World Junior Championship features a strong NHL presence, with key players likely staying in the NHL while the team prepares intensively for a gold medal in Minnesota.