In a month and a few change, the 2025 World Junior Championship (WJC) is ready to get underway for a number of the finest under-20 hockey gamers on this planet. In its final event, Group Canada didn’t even qualify for the Bronze Medal Recreation. With one thing to show, they’ll be bringing the warmth this winter.

Beneath is a prediction of Canada’s 2025 WJC roster, together with 13 forwards, seven defencemen, and three goaltenders. The prospects of 13 totally different NHL groups are being represented right here, which is over 40 p.c of the league. Irrespective of who you’re cheering for, there’s a purpose to regulate this squad.

Canada’s Forwards

Beginning on offence, there’s some uncertainty with the ahead group. There are many instructions to go right here:

This Canadian ahead group is loaded with expertise, so there are fairly a number of key omissions right here (Tij Iginla, Andrew Cristall, Liam Greentree, Cayden Lindstrom, Michael Misa, and extra). Versus their 2024 roster, this group is poised to do some harm. With veteran management, an immense quantity of ability, and gamers who can fulfill their wants in any form of scenario, Canada must be the favorite to win gold.

Associated: 2025 World Junior Championship Schedule Launched

Three members of the highest six have already been on this stage earlier than: Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager, and Matthew Wooden. They put up 11 factors cumulatively in Canada’s five-game event in 2024, and so they’ve earned a re-invitation. Every of them may see a top-six workload.

Since he final performed within the WJC, Cowan has been one of the vital unstoppable gamers within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He has factors in 49 consecutive regular-season video games, spanning again to Nov. 23, 2023. There have been some shut calls in there, however he’s finally a lock for this roster. Seeing as some followers and pundits felt he had an opportunity to play with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, he’s greater than worthy of this spot. Yager is basically depended upon by his Moose Jaw Warriors membership over within the Western Hockey League (WHL) and may management play when he’s on the market. He appears to be the de facto high centre for this group. Wooden is the very best teenage scorer within the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA) this season with 14 factors. At 6-foot-5 and 205 kilos, Wooden offers measurement to a lineup that lacks it. He’ll present a scoring contact, too, to the second line.

Bradly Nadeau’s skilled expertise—briefly within the NHL however full-time within the American Hockey League (AHL)—ought to get him some minutes. Considered one of his large strengths will probably be making the most of house within the offensive zone. Calum Ritchie, who performed a brief stint with the Colorado Avalanche this season, additionally has the skilled path working in his favour. The one youth within the high six is Gavin McKenna, who’s eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. He could also be 16 years outdated (17 when the event begins) and practically three years youthful than a few of his competitors, however don’t let that idiot you. He’s a dynamic participant who can take over shifts, both making performs for himself or his linemates. With 39 factors, he’s the WHL’s present high scorer.

We are able to have somewhat bit extra enjoyable with the underside six. It’s on the smaller aspect for probably the most half, however each Canada’s third and fourth line are higher on paper than the highest line of many countries competing. Riley Heidt was left off the final rendition of this group, however he shouldn’t be denied this go round (at the very least, objectively talking). The 19-year-old is the WHL’s main scorer from 2022-23 to at this time, so it’d be exhausting to double down. Berkly Catton, who rivalled Heidt’s manufacturing final season, will probably be his associate in crime. His offensive expertise and IQ will enable Canada to maintain the assault coming when their high gamers want relaxation. Beckett Sennecke, the third general choice within the 2024 NHL Draft, has gotten off to an awesome begin (23 factors in 15 video games) within the OHL after struggling a foot fracture within the offseason. He’ll spherical out this harmful line.

The fourth line is a fairly younger one, however it could catch some groups off guard. Linemates Carson Rehkopf (2023 draft class) and Porter Martone (2025 draft eligible) have taken the OHL by storm, placing up 61 factors mixed for the Brampton Steelheads. With 18-year-old Jett Luchanko down the center, this trio has velocity, ability, and the power to lengthen offensive zone possessions. As a result of new Rehkopf-Martone connection, this can be a sneakily overpowering depth unit.

Issues get tough with the final ahead. It’s debatable that any of Iginla, Cristall, Greentree, Lindstrom (if wholesome), or Misa make this group higher. However there’s an excellent mixture of every little thing with the roster. Denver Barkey applies to that final level, even when his 11 factors in 13 video games don’t precisely leap off the web page for the OHL. He scored 102 factors final season and could possibly be very helpful in a restricted function. Barkey is a pleasant power participant to have for the underside six, and he can both play on the wing or down the center. Plus, he’s a penalty-killer for the London Knights alongside Cowan.

Canada’s Defencemen

There’s much less enjoyable available with the defencemen on this group, however that doesn’t imply robust choices received’t must be made. Listed below are the predictions:

There could also be some disputable selections right here, however it appears inevitable that the Knights’ Sam Dickinson and Oliver Bonk will unite on a pairing for Canada. Bonk is a returning member from the 2024 WJC, whereas Dickinson is recent off being chosen eleventh general by the San Jose Sharks within the 2024 NHL Draft. They’ve displayed some high-level chemistry within the OHL, so placing that within the worldwide highlight must be an excellent problem. Opponents ought to regulate Dickinson particularly, who has 25 factors (11 targets and 14 assists) in 15 video games this season.

For the second pairing, each Tanner Molendyk and Zayne Parekh appear to be good bets to make the group, as properly. The previous was taken by the Nashville Predators within the 2023 NHL Draft. He scored 37 factors in 67 video games that season, however he has soared to point-per-game manufacturing within the WHL ever since. His skating will probably be a useful asset to his membership. Subsequent to him, Parekh has much more offensive upside. The OHL defender exploded for 96 factors in his draft 12 months, and the Calgary Flames took discover, choosing him ninth general. Each Molendyk and Parekh could make Canada’s blue line stronger, which can assist them end atop the competitors.

Caden Worth and Carter Yakemchuk occupy this third pairing. Worth, a member of the 2023 draft class, is producing at a 100-point tempo for the Kelowna Rockets this season. The Kraken’s third-round gem will probably be helpful in transition. As for Yakemchuk, he’s a bit uncooked for a seventh-overall decide, however Canada will lean on him. He’s a point-per-game participant within the WHL identical to he was final season.

The ultimate slot is up for grabs, so Matthew Schaefer is an impressed alternative right here. Objectively the very best defender within the upcoming 2025 class, he has a case to make this group regardless of his youth. He can play at each ends of the ice however is extremely expert with elite skating potential and top-notch hockey IQ. A contender for the first-overall choice amongst a stacked group of forwards, it’s potential he finds his method forward of some older friends to make this squad. He has 11 factors in 9 video games for the Erie Otters this season.

Schaefer is thrashing out extra skilled skills comparable to Lukas Dragicevic and Sawyer Mynio, however his upside provides him the sting. He was a key standout in Canada’s gold-medal victory within the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August.

Canada’s Goaltenders

The goaltending battle is a fairly fascinating one, seeing as there actually isn’t a clear-cut starter at this level. It could possibly be anybody’s battle:

Although his numbers aren’t nice this season (.891 save share), Buffalo Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff deserves to be on this group. He has been a rock between the pipes for the Seattle Thunderbirds on many nights and he has expertise besides. With over 100 begins within the WHL, he’s a secure decide but in addition a doubtlessly dependable one.

Carter George, chosen within the second spherical of the 2024 NHL Draft, may steal some begins. His numbers this season are nice however not incredible, sitting on a .908 save share with the Owen Sound Assault. Being a 12 months youthful than Ratzlaff may forestall him from taking up a heavier workload, however George was additionally the starter of Canada’s under-18 gold-medal squad within the spring.

Carson Bjarnason might be on par with the opposite two netminders skill-wise, however he could also be forward within the depth chart contemplating his sizzling begin to the 2024-25 marketing campaign. Among the many 41 goaltenders with at the very least 5 video games performed, he leads the WHL by a large margin in save share (.925). He has been the Brandon Wheat Kings’ starter for 3 seasons now, so it wouldn’t be a lot of a shock to see him be the starter of this group. Nonetheless, Ratzlaff and George are forward on this prediction.

Joshua Ravensbergen, eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, is an honourable point out right here. Not one of the aforementioned netminders had been first-round picks, however Ravensbergen could possibly be. His .904 save share has helped the Prince George Cougars be the most effective groups within the WHL.

This January, Canada will probably be wanting so as to add their twenty first gold medal on this event to their assortment. Stronger than they had been a 12 months in the past, they’ve the weapons in place to make it a actuality.