Canada got its roster closer to completion Thursday with the cuts of three players from its camp. If the tournament started tomorrow, this is the 25 players they’d likely be registering for the event.

There is still the outside chance that Canada will get one or two more players loaned from NHL clubs, but until that happens, we’re starting to see the thought process Dale Hunter is going through when it comes to building his lineup.

• Canada's Lineup For First Pre-Tournament Game Vs. Sweden
• Canada Cuts Three From World Junior Camp
• FloHockey's 2026 World Junior Championship Coverage

Canada’s camp also is now including Michael Misa, who sat out the first several days while recovering from an injury and doing the rehab back in San Jose. It appears he is all set and ready to go and was immediately inserted into the plush spot on Canada’s lineup as its No. 1 center.

The team will be playing another pre-tournament game Saturday night against Sweden as they continue their preparations for the tournament. The game will be played in front of a friendly crowd for head coach Dale Hunter, who will be in his usual haunt, Canada Life Place, home of the London Knights.

Here’s a look at how Canada lined up in its most recent practices, giving us a glimpse of what the lineup could be like when the games count. Lines via Hockey Canada’s practice reports:

Team Canada Lineup Ahead Of World Juniors 2026

Forwards

Gavin McKenna (2026) – Michael Misa (SJS) – Porter Martone (PHI)

Tij Iginla (UTA) – Michael Hage (MTL) – Brady Martin (NSH)

Cole Reschny (CGY) – Cole Beaudoin (UTA) – Jett Luchanko (PHI)

Liam Greentree (LAK) – Braeden Cootes (VAN) – Sam O’Reilly (TBL)

Carter Bear (DET) – Caleb Desnoyers (UTA)

Defense

Cameron Reid (NSH) – Zayne Parekh (CGY)

Kashawn Aitcheson (NYI) – Harrison Brunicke (PIT)

Ethan MacKenzie – Ben Danford (TOR)

Carsen Carels (2026) – Keaton Verhoeff (2026)

Goalies

Jack Ivankovic (NSH)

Carter George (LAK)

Joshua Ravesnbergen (SJS)

Team Canada Lineup Analysis

A top line featuring Michael Misa, Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone is lethal. Both McKenna and Martone became the top scorers in Canada’s U18 World Championship history while playing together two years ago at that event. Now you throw a No. 2 overall pick into the fold and it could be explosive.

Seeing Michael Hage earn a look at center is interesting as well. Canada has a lot of natural centers, but few who have that top-six flash that Hage seems to possess. If you would have asked me at the beginning of camp where he’d play, I’d probably have said wing, but he’s looked good going back to the summer evaluation camp and is earning his looks.

Looking at Canada’s forward lines, I’d have to think the Beaudoin line is going to get a lot of tougher matchups. Beaudoin and Luchanko were two of Canada’s best defensive players at the U18 Worlds two years ago where then-head coach and current World Junior assistant Gardiner MacDougall led Canada to gold. Reschny has good two way capabilities, but also allows that line to maintain some scoring pop.

This all could potentially get blown up if the Seattle Kraken decide to loan Berkly Catton after he rehabs from his injury. That would be a more natural No. 2 or potentially even No. 1 C for Canada at this stage. Either way, this lineup has good balance and a healthy dose of skill.

On the blue line, Cameron Reid has earned his way into the top pairing. Him and Parekh both offer puck-moving elements, while Ethan MacKenzie and Ben Danford look like a potential strong shutdown pairing to play some tough matchups.

This may mean Keaton Verhoeff is the odd man out. Canada will likely only dress seven defensemen and Verhoeff would have to unseat a top-four defenseman, both of which have played NHL games. We’ll see if he gets any run, but Verhoeff may end up on the bench more, especially if Carsen Carels continues to look as he has in Canada’s pre-tournament games.

In net, it’s a two-horse race between Carter George and Jack Ivankovic. If I were betting, I’d expect George to be the guy, but I think Canada wants to keep their options open. 

Canada plays one more pre-tournament game on home ice as they'll take on Sweden Saturday night before a tilt with Denmark next week in Mankato, Minnesota.

Team Canada World Junior Championship 2026 Schedule

Friday, December 26

• 8:30 p.m. ET - Czechia vs Canada

Saturday, December 27

• 4:30 p.m. ET - Latvia vs Canada

Monday, December 29

• 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs Denmark

Wednesday, December 31

• 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs Finland

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