‘Motivated group’: Led by returnees, Canada looking to rebound off world junior flops

Gavin McKenna had tears in his eyes. His voice trembled with excitement.

The teenage phenomenon dreamed of winning gold for Canada on home soil. Instead, his first experience at the World Junior Hockey Championship ended in heartbreak.

“It's a lot to deal with,” McKenna said, recalling the country's second consecutive quarterfinal exit some 12 months ago. “Canada has a lot of pride in their country and when you let them down like that, they're not afraid to let you know without saying we don't deserve it.

“It was difficult to process, but I was just trying to turn it into fuel.”

The 18-year-old and his teammates, including five teammates returning from the horror show in Ottawa, are also hoping to make amends. And in a few weeks you will board a plane with a record 21st gold medal.

“They're not happy with last year's performance,” general manager Alan Millar said. “And let's face it, the mood in the country after that was difficult. There was a lot of talk about the team. This is a motivated group.

“And maybe a little angry.”

Anger was just one of the emotions that emerged from last year's disappointment.

“You think about it all summer, you think about it now,” said forward Cole Beaudoin, assessing the five-minute major and foul play in Canada's quarterfinal matchup with the Czech Republic. “Definitely in the back of my mind, but it’s a new year.”

“Great opportunity”

The current roster is the usual mix of top draft picks, prospects and help parachuted in from NHL clubs. While the Canadian contingent will be without star center McLean Celebrini, who is still eligible for the World Juniors at 19, as well as a number of other pro-level players, it will still feature center Michael Misa, who was not invited to last year's selection camp before going No. 2 in the 2025 draft from the San Jose Sharks.

“Great opportunity,” said goaltender Carter George, another returnee along with forwards Jett Lucianko and Porter Marton and backup goaltender Jack Ivankovic. “Every guy in this room is not happy with the results of the last two years.”

And the country too.

“It’s definitely tough as a Canadian kid,” Martone said of the furor after last year’s failure. “The tournament in Canada, you dream about it since childhood. You lose on home ice, no one draws like that.”

Hockey Canada then took a closer look at its U20 men's program. Millar was named full-time general manager, and the normal selection process was replaced by a training camp that included only a few cuts. Dale Hunter, who won gold in 2020 and built a powerhouse with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights, also returns as head coach.

George was statistically the tournament's top goaltender last year, and the roster features five players with NHL experience, including defenseman Zane Parekh of the Calgary Flames and forward Brayden Coots of the Vancouver Canucks.

“We have good speed,” Hunter said. “We will be an aggressive team.”

The quiet Parekh, who has also been left out of the 2025 squad, is considered a key player at the back – in terms of skill and approach to the limelight.

“A lot of people are putting pressure on us, but I don't feel it,” he said. “This is my first time playing in this tournament. Canada really should never finish fifth in this tournament.”

Canada opens tournament on Friday

This blue line corps is also very green down the stretch, with 17-year-olds Carson Carels and Keaton Verhoeff — like McKenna both eligible for the 2026 draft — set to become the sixth and seventh youngest defensemen to wear the Maple Leaf at the World Juniors since the mastery program began in the early 1980s.

Canada opens the tournament Friday in Minneapolis against the Czech Republic in Group B, which also includes Finland, Latvia and Denmark. The United States will play in nearby St. Paul, Minnesota, in Group A against Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland and Germany.

Mark Hunter, Dale's brother and a member of the Canadian management team, said setting the right tone is critical at a short event.

“Everyone is getting ahead of themselves,” he said. “Our job is to preserve them in the moment.”

For players new to the game, this is easier said than done.

“It's huge,” said forward Tij Iginla, whose father, Jarome, is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. “After the tournament is over and I hope we won, I'll look back and say, 'Man, that was really crazy.'

“But don't make it seem bigger than it really is.”

Dale Hunter said expectations come with the territory. He's convinced this Canadian version is ready.

“Part of the sport,” Hunter said. “It’s about being big when the big time comes.”