Kalvin Taylor/Goodall Media
After selection camp and a couple of exhibition games against U Sports squads, Canada’s world junior squad made some cuts to bring the roster down to 25 players.
First-round draft picks Beckett Sennecke and Zayne Parekh were not initially included on the roster, but they joined the team in Ottawa due to injuries to other attendees. Both players had good camps, and the coaching staff had plenty of positives to say about them, but they were both cut from the final roster.
The final roster looks quite strong. Canada, as always, should be considered medal favorites.
The roster features six returnees: forwards Easton Cowan, Carson Rehkopf and Brayden Yager, as well as defenders Oliver Bonk and Tanner Molendyk. Matthew Wood and Scott Ratzlaff, both returnees at camp, were cut from the final roster.
The final cuts from the roster were forwards Denver Barkey, Andrew Cristall, Riley Heidt, Sennecke and Matthew Wood, defenders Cam Allen and Parekh, and goalie Ratzlaff.
Here’s more reaction to the players who will represent Canada in Ottawa from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, 2025.
Forwards
Headlining the roster is CHL leading scorer and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft, Gavin McKenna.
The team’s youngest member will be one of its most important forwards. McKenna will add some firepower up front and should play in the top six, with a chance of becoming the team’s top scorer.
Among other new players, Calum Ritchie and Jett Luchanko made the team, which is no surprise given that both played NHL games this season with Colorado and Philadelphia, respectively.
Ritchie, in particular, will be among the team’s best players, and he could play on the top line. Luchanko is likelier to play a bottom-six checking role, providing leadership and depth scoring down the lineup.
Defense
On the back end, Sam Dickinson and Sawyer Mynio are set to play integral roles for Canada. Dickinson and Bonk are a natural pairing because of their time together in London, but Team Canada could opt to split the two to balance the lineup a bit better.
Matthew Schaefer and Porter Martone both made the roster as NHL draft-eligible players in 2025. It will be interesting to see how Schaefer fits in on the Canadian blueline as he brings some of the most dynamic puck-rushing and offensive zone creativity of any defender on the roster. He is very young for this team, so it won’t be a shock if Canada’s coaching staff hesitates to play him in a big role.
Martone plays a power game, which could make him one of Canada’s most versatile players. He’s been one of the OHL’s most productive skaters and sits behind just McKenna among roster players in CHL scoring.
Related: Porter Martone Earned His Spot At Canada’s World Junior Camp
Goaltenders
The goaltending will be interesting after cutting Ratzlaff, who was on the team last year but didn’t play.
Bjarnason has been one of the WHL’s better netminders. He and Carter George will likely split time going into the exhibition games, and they will take their time deciding on a starter for the elimination games later in the tournament.
Related: How Does This Roster Live Up To The Projection?
Final Roster List
Forwards
Cole Beaudoin, Barrie, OHL (Utah)
Mathieu Cataford, Rimouski, QMJHL (VEG)
Berkly Catton, Spokane, WHL (SEA)
Easton Cowan, London, OHL (TOR)
Ethan Gauthier, Drummondville, QMJHL (TBL)
Tanner Howe, Calgary, WHL (PIT)
Jett Luchanko, Guelph, OHL (PHI)
Porter Martone, Brantford, OHL (2025 NHL draft)
Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat, WHL (2026 NHL draft)
Bradly Nadeau, Chicago, AHL (CAR)
Luca Pinelli, Ottawa, OHL (CLB)
Carson Rehkopf, Brantford, OHL (SEA)
Calum Ritchie, Oshawa, OHL (COL)
Brayden Yager, Lethbridge, WHL (WPG)
Defense
Beau Akey, Barrie, OHL (EDM)
Oliver Bonk, London, OHL (PHI)
Sam Dickinson, London, OHL (SJS)
Andrew Gibson, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL (NSH)
Tanner Molendyk, Saskatoon, WHL (NSH)
Sawyer Mynio, Seattle, WHL (VAN)
Caden Price, Kelowna, WHL (SEA)
Matthew Schaefer, Erie, OHL (2025 NHL draft)
Goaltenders
Carson Bjarnason, Brandon, WHL (PHI)
Carter George, Owen Sound, OHL (LA)
Jack Ivankovic, Brampton, OHL (2025 NHL draft)
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