2026 World Junior Championship: Projecting Canada’s Roster
Canada is aiming for gold at the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota, but several roster decisions are still unresolved. A total of 13 U-20 players have appeared in at least one NHL game this season. Apart from Russia’s Matvei Gridin, all of them are Canadian.
Some players have already been loaned back to their junior teams, including Nashville’s Brady Martin, Philadelphia’s Jett Luchanko, and Vancouver’s Braeden Cootes. That leaves nine players still holding spots in the NHL: Beckett Sennecke (Anaheim), Zayne Parekh (Calgary), Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders), Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke (Pittsburgh), along with Sam Dickinson, Michael Misa, and Macklin Celebrini (San Jose).
“Celebrini was never being loaned back under any circumstance.”
Most of these players are expected to remain in the NHL, though there’s still a possibility that Parekh or Catton could be sent back, and perhaps Kindel or Brunicke as well. Schaefer, however, stands out as one of the most effective defensemen currently in the league and is almost certain to stay.
Following two disappointing quarterfinal exits, Canada’s expectations are clear: nothing short of a gold medal will be acceptable. Instead of hosting a traditional selection camp, Hockey Canada will run a 10-day training session with the final roster in Niagara, complemented by exhibition games in Kitchener and London.
Author’s Summary
Canada eyes redemption at the 2026 World Juniors, balancing NHL player availability with high expectations for gold in Minnesota.