Canada faced the Czech Republic in its first IIHF World Junior Championship game.
Habs prospect Michael Hage played center on a line with Gavin McKenna and Brady Martin.
It didn't take long for Hage and his linemates to have Martin open Canada's scoring with a shot on goal off a pass from McKenna on a play initiated by Hage.
Brady Martin scores Canada's first goal at the 2026 World Junior Championships.
: TSN | IIHF pic.twitter.com/HZ4EL2Ut95
– Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) December 27, 2025
Hage then continued his good work by fooling the Finnish goalkeeper with a crisp and accurate wrist shot to restore the 2–1 lead. Martin and Ben Danford also had assists.
Michael Hage lowered the bar to give Canada a 2-1 lead!
– Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) December 27, 2025
Hage, McKenna and Martin really seemed to find each other on the ice during the first period, which is very promising for the future.
After just one period of play, the center already has two points and could easily beat his five-point total in three games, achieved against Canada at the last international tournament.
Things seem to be going well for Hage this year, as he has already scored 28 points in 20 games this season for the University of Michigan, and he seems set to do the same with the Canadiens.
Moreover, it is good to see him playing well in the center, although some doubts remain about his ability to play in this position.
All in all, this is a very promising prospect for the House.
After a while
– Playing with sticks.
Canada got up to some shenanigans ahead of the center ice game against the Czech Republic.
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/zWKYi9X4uF
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2025
– American victory.
First victory in the book
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/FZ9N1BN4fe
– USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 27, 2025
– Wow!
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND LOOK AT WORLD JUNIOR PETTERI RIMPINEN'S SETTING!
#WorldJuniors
(
: IG/petrisaarilainen and IG/petterrimpinen) pic.twitter.com/gj6Lf1hqbh
– BarDown (@BarDown) December 24, 2025
