Looking Ahead: Projecting Team Canada's 2026 World Junior Roster
OTTAWA, Ontario – Darkness has descended upon Canada. And it’s not just because it’s January and there are only five hours of sunlight per day. It’s because Canada has been ousted from the World Junior Championships in the quarterfinals. For a second straight season. This is the first time that’s happened in the modern iteration of the event.
While doom and gloom have dominated the discourse—and rightfully so—there are reasons to be optimistic about next year’s tournament. As they say, it is often darkest before the dawn.
Now, I am by no means letting Hockey Canada and their decision-makers off the hook. But since we’re here, we may as well put on our crystal ball sunglasses and take a very, very, early stab at projecting the 2026 iteration of Canada’s WJC squad.
Of course, this projection is banking on all of these players being available. So NHL clubs better not get any bright ideas on keeping some of these U20 kids around in the show next year.
FORWARDS
Line 1: Gavin McKenna - Berkly Catton - Porter Martone
Wouldn’t you know it? These three could have been playing together at this year’s event! If only someone behind the bench would have listened to a certain analyst shouting this combination to the world every chance he got. Skill, speed, power. This trio has it all.
Line 2: Michael Misa - Cayden Lindstrom - Beckett Sennecke
A second line comprised of all top-5 NHL draft picks? Yes, please. More of the same here. Skill. Speed. Power. Playmaking. Finishing. This unit would scare any team.
Line 3: Tij Iginla - Roger McQueen - Liam Greentree
Talk about a load to handle. McQueen is a 6-foot-5 power pivot and Greentree is a 6-foot-3 power winger. Iginla comes along with his hard-skill and duel-threat offensive prowess. This group could bang, score, skate and defend.
Line 4: Cole Beaudoin - Jett Luchanko - Michael Hage
Talent. Feistiness. Shutdown potential. Experience. Leadership. A nice mix of everything here.
Extra Forwards: Kieron Walton and Carter Bear
DEFENCEMEN
Pair 1: Matthew Schaefer - Harrison Brunicke
Flash, dash, scoring, skating, and defensive play. These two could eat up 30 minutes a night no problem.
Pair 2: Sam Dickinson - Landon Dupont
It might be a lot to ask of a 16-year-old to play the more conservative role on a pair but DuPont is that special of a player. And hey, maybe in a year, Dickinson will have found some more stability in his overall game.
Pair 3: Keaton Verhoeff - Zayne Parekh
Verhoeff is a 2026-eligible who is extremely talented at both ends of the rink. So good, in fact, I’ve got him playing on his off-side here. Parekh is a monster offensively and will run either power-play unit.
Extra defenders: Jackson Smith, Kashawn Aitcheson
GOALTENDERS
Carter George, Jack Ivankovic, Joshua Ravensbergen
This may be the deepest set of netminders Canada has had to choose from in years. The best of the bunch could very well be Ravensbergen who could start as the third netminder.
COACH
Gardiner MacDougall
All he does is win, win, win no matter what. And just a lovely gentleman.
