Team Canada announced its world junior roster. Here’s what you need to know:
- The forwards are: Shane Wright, Logan Stankoven, Connor Bedard, Brennan Othmann, Joshua Roy, Dylan Guenther, Nathan Gaucher, Zack Ostapchuk, Adam Fantilli, Zach Dean, Colton Dach, Reid Schaefer, Caedan Bankier.
- The defensemen are: Olen Zellweger, Ethan Del Mastro, Brandt Clarke, Jack Matier, Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Tyson Hinds.
- The goaltenders are: Thomas Milic, Benjamin Gaudreau.
- The tournament will run Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Halifax, N.S. and Moncton, N.B.
- The team’s head coach is Dennis Williams, the general manager/head coach of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Who is the biggest Team Canada roster surprise?
The only real roster surprise for me was Colton Dach. Canada has clearly set out to build a big, heavy, older bottom six but I felt on his body of work this year and his play at camp that he was going to be on the outside looking in, in favour of a Jordan Dumais, Ryan Greene or Owen Beck, who all impressed in camp. Riley Kidney’s absence after he was injured in camp opened the door for a player like Dach. — Wheeler
GO DEEPER
Wheeler: Why Team Canada picked this group for the 2023 world juniors
In discussions with scouts in attendance, the play of Tyson Hinds in the winter camp, plus the play of Dach in both camps helped elevate them from the bubble into a spot on the final roster. Bankier wasn’t even invited to the summer camp so he’s been on a sharp upward trend. Schaefer is a player who keeps getting significantly better and can provide a blend of secondary scoring and physicality. — Pronman
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Who is the most significant omission on Canada’s roster
Beck and Dumais, given the former’s play in Montreal’s camp, and the latter’s play for the hometown Mooseheads (plus in camp) may appear as big omissions, but they’re both 18 and should play on the 2024 team in Sweden. — Wheeler
Carson Lambos is the most notable cut to me. He’s a mobile defenseman who plays hard and can move pucks. Scouts in attendance noted he struggled at times, but I thought his body of work would win out. — Pronman
What to watch for moving forward from Team Canada
This Team Canada should be the favorite. Tons of talent at the top and good depth throughout. I’ll have my eye on the goaltending battle in the pre-tournament games.
Required reading
(Photo of Connor Bedard: Andy Devlin / Getty Images)
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