WJC: 2026 - Team Canada Roster Talk

[JackSlater]

This is Pronman's early projection for Canada in 2026. Article goes into detail on standouts and disappointments from the 2025 tournament, and yes the collective team Canada is the primary disappointment.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6038616/2025/01/05/world-juniors-hockey-2025-standouts/

McKenna Catton Martone
Misa McQueen Sennecke
Iginla Luchanko Lindstrom
Desnoyers Beaudoin Bear
Roobroeck

Schaefer Parekh
Dickinson Brunicke
Aitcheson Elick
DuPont

Ivankovic
Ravensbergen
Beckman

The fool clearly just focused on mostly picking the best players. As we learned from failed GM Peter Anholt, "it doesn't work like that."

 

[OilersFanatics505]

Misa and Martone could both be with their respective NHL teams.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

This is Pronman's early projection for Canada in 2026. Article goes into detail on standouts and disappointments from the 2025 tournament, and yes the collective team Canada is the primary disappointment.

2025 World Juniors standouts and disappointments: USA’s top talent shines, Canada’s falls short again

McKenna Catton Martone
Misa McQueen Sennecke
Iginla Luchanko Lindstrom
Desnoyers Beaudoin Bear
Roobroeck

Schaefer Parekh
Dickinson Brunicke
Aitcheson Elick
DuPont

Ivankovic
Ravensbergen
Beckman

The fool clearly just focused on mostly picking the best players. As we learned from failed GM Peter Anholt, "it doesn't work like that."

Half these players will be in the NHL and not released for the WJC lmao

 

[CapsFans]

I'd run something like this (excluding Celebrini)

Mckenna Catton Martone
M.Misa Lindstrom Sennecke
T.Iginla McQueen Hage
Bear Luchanko Greentree

Schaefer Brunicke
Dickinson Parekh
J.Smith Dupont

George
Ravensbergen
Ivankovic

13th F and 7th D: Walton, Reid

Health Scratches: Desnoyers, Verhoeff

I'd assume other players other than Celebrini won't be available so this might be a little optimistic.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Hopefully someone that is a proven winner at the CHL level or stalwarts like the Hunters are named and not some mediocre Hockey Canada lifer that’s never won anything as has been the case recently

 

[1Gold Standard]

View attachment 975861
Hopefully someone that is a proven winner at the CHL level or stalwarts like the Hunters are named and not some mediocre Hockey Canada lifer that’s never won anything as has been the case recently

It's a good move...depending on who they hire. word of advice to any prospective GM...when in the room discussing players and player selection with the coaching staff, lock Scott Salmond out of the room, please. That would be a step in the right direction.

 

[JackSlater]

View attachment 975861
Hopefully someone that is a proven winner at the CHL level or stalwarts like the Hunters are named and not some mediocre Hockey Canada lifer that’s never won anything as has been the case recently

That's good news depending on the right hire. A proven winner, not someone who just knows people who work at Hockey Canada.

It's a good move...depending on who they hire. word of advice to any prospective GM...when in the room discussing players and player selection with the coaching staff, lock Scott Salmond out of the room, please. That would be a step in the right direction.

That would be ideal, yes. At least this signals that the heat is on.

 

[JackSlater]

Let it happen NHL.

Misa Celebrini Martone
McKenna Catton Sennecke
Desnoyers Lindstrom Hage
Boisvert Luchanko Iginla
Beaudoin

Schaefer Brunicke
Smith Parekh
Dickinson DuPont
Aitcheson

Some combination of George, Ravensbergen, Ivankovic

 

[WarriorofTime]

Let it happen NHL.

Misa Celebrini Martone
McKenna Catton Sennecke
Desnoyers Lindstrom Hage
Boisvert Luchanko Iginla
Beaudoin

Schaefer Brunicke
Smith Parekh
Dickinson DuPont
Aitcheson

Some combination of George, Ravensbergen, Ivankovic

Can't imagine Celebrini going back for the WJC when he already missed it this year and his NHL spot is very safe. TBD on Schaefer and Misa. Some rumors on Misa maybe holding off on signing an ELC right away?

 

[JackSlater]

Can't imagine Celebrini going back for the WJC when he already missed it this year and his NHL spot is very safe. TBD on Schaefer and Misa. Some rumors on Misa maybe holding off on signing an ELC right away?

I don't actually expect that team to show up by any stretch. Celebrini won't be there and inevitably a few other drafted players won't be there. Players have a wider array of development options now, hopefully good choices are made. I'm hoping to see fewer Bensons and Drysdales in the NHL when they shouldn't be.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[DJB]

Don’t screw it up this year Hockey Canada

 

[kyle44]

Some news from Stephane Leroux for the 2026 tournament. Some information we already knew, some entirely new.

1. Hockey Canada wants to appoint a full-time vice-president of hockey and a full-time GM to oversee the U-18 and U-20 programs. To quote Salmond, these two appointments should be former or current junior team managers and preferably these two positions would be filled by bilingual individuals.

2. Hockey Canada is looking an organize an event involving the best players from the three CHL leagues to compare the different candidates, preferably in November.

3. Looking to hold the selection camp in November instead of December to allow players to return to play games with their respective junior teams between camp and the start of the tournament's pre-tournament games. That way, the team could get together around December 19 or 20, rather than the 8th or 9th.

Article is here in French: Chronique de Stéphane Leroux : Ça va bouger chez Hockey Canada | RDS

 

[JackSlater]

Some news from Stephane Leroux for the 2026 tournament. Some information we already knew, some entirely new.

1. Hockey Canada wants to appoint a full-time vice-president of hockey and a full-time GM to oversee the U-18 and U-20 programs. To quote Salmond, these two appointments should be former or current junior team managers and preferably these two positions would be filled by bilingual individuals.

2. Hockey Canada is looking an organize an event involving the best players from the three CHL leagues to compare the different candidates, preferably in November.

3. Looking to hold the selection camp in November instead of December to allow players to return to play games with their respective junior teams between camp and the start of the tournament's pre-tournament games. That way, the team could get together around December 19 or 20, rather than the 8th or 9th.

Article is here in French: Chronique de Stéphane Leroux : Ça va bouger chez Hockey Canada | RDS

Interesting, Leroux has become a very strong WJC source.

1. We heard this before and it is a good idea... if they hire well. Someone who has won before, not a career loser like Anholt. I'd also be wary of tendencies Hockey Canada showed this past year where they clearly fixated on U18 performance and ignored development in the year or two since when it came to picking the team. No one should care whether the GM is bilingual.

2. Good. They have not adequately replaced the super series and should have done so by now. They should find a way to incorporate NCAA players into the teams where necessary, as there are legitimate WJC candidates from Canada in the NCAA every year.

3. I don't see the point. Just move the camp back a few days if it is an issue. More significant would be having a legitimate camp.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Some news from Stephane Leroux for the 2026 tournament. Some information we already knew, some entirely new.

1. Hockey Canada wants to appoint a full-time vice-president of hockey and a full-time GM to oversee the U-18 and U-20 programs. To quote Salmond, these two appointments should be former or current junior team managers and preferably these two positions would be filled by bilingual individuals.

2. Hockey Canada is looking an organize an event involving the best players from the three CHL leagues to compare the different candidates, preferably in November.

3. Looking to hold the selection camp in November instead of December to allow players to return to play games with their respective junior teams between camp and the start of the tournament's pre-tournament games. That way, the team could get together around December 19 or 20, rather than the 8th or 9th.

Article is here in French: Chronique de Stéphane Leroux : Ça va bouger chez Hockey Canada | RDS

It’s a good idea to hire a full time GM. I’m not particularly bothered by which language they speak, just that they’ve had a history of winning league or memorial cup championships. Next year will be the deepest pool of players to pick from that I can remember, so hopefully they get this right