Canada’s 2026 World Juniors training camp opens with mixture of excitement and focus

Photo credit: Collin Jennings

When training camp arrives for the World Juniors, there’s a certain sense of excitement in the air.

And while that is certainly the case at Canada’s camp, there’s also a tremendous sense of focus on the result after the disappointment of the past two years.

“Last year we didn’t get the result we wanted but it’s a second crack at it,” said Owen Sound goaltender Carter George. “I’m definitely super motivated and definitely want a better result so we’re going to do everything we can to improve from last year.”

Canada’s shortcomings the past two years have been well documented after back-to-back quarterfinal exits to Czechia but 2026 presents a new opportunity.

George is one of six returnees from 2025 alongside fellow netminder Jack Ivankovic (Brampton / OHL), as well as forwards Cole Beaudoin (Barrie / OHL), Jett Luchanko (Brantford / OHL), Porter Martone (Brampton / OHL) and Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat / WHL). The Attack goaltender certainly did all he could a year ago with a .936 save percentage and a 1.76 GAA but there’s an extra element of motivation in 2026.

“It’s been on my mind a lot,” George said. “Once the season started my mindset was in Owen Sound and worrying about those games but as soon as we turned the page to camp, it’s the only thing I’ve been thinking about.

“All I want to do is come in here, first of all make the team but second of all be a backbone for this team and be the guy they can rely on.”

Canada’s 28-man training camp roster features 27 players that are present CHLers or recent alumni. There is no shortage of familiarity on this year’s roster after successes at the U17, U18 and Hlinka Gretzky Cup level. However, at the same time there can also be no complacency.

“It starts on day one,” said Kamloops d-man Harrison Brunicke. “We’ve talked about humility, being humble, coming to a tournament and putting our head down and competing.”

The team has a proven winner behind the bench in London legend Dale Hunter, a three-time Memorial Cup champion and five-time OHL winner.

“I thought the coaches did a great job with showing everyone how we want to play, play fast and within our structure,” said Seattle’s Braeden Cootes. “[We] know what you need to do in short-term [competition], come together as a group and how everything is so important.”

While there will be a couple of cuts from the training camp roster ahead of the tournament, the team will have spent considerable time together ahead of its tournament opener in Minneapolis, MN., against Czechia on Boxing Day.

Training camp runs Dec. 12-22 in Niagara, ON., that includes a pair of pre-tournament games against Sweden in Kitchener (Dec. 17) and London (Dec. 20) while they will also face Denmark on Dec. 23 in Minneapolis.

Then, it really counts as Canada looks for its 21st World Juniors gold medal.

“It’s really motivating,” said the Soo’s Brady Martin. “After this tournament I hope to come back with a gold medal.”

LIST OF PAST AND PRESENT CHL PLAYERS & STAFF ON CANADA’S 2026 NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM

Goalies (3)
(G) Carter George (Owen Sound Attack / OHL)
(G) Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads / OHL; University of Michigan / NCAA)
(G) Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars / WHL)

Defencemen (9)
(D) Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL)
(D) Harrison Brunicke (Kamloops Blazers / WHL)
(D) Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars / WHL)
(D) Ben Danford (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)
(D) Ethan MacKenzie (Edmonton Oil Kings / WHL)
(D) Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
(D) Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers / OHL)
(D) Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans / WHL; Penn State University / NCAA)
(D) Keaton Verhoeff (Victoria Royals / WHL; University of North Dakota / NCAA)

Forwards (15)
(F) Carter Bear (Everett Silvertips / WHL)
(F) Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL)
(F) Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL)
(F) Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)
(F) Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires / OHL)
(F) Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets / WHL)
(F) Jett Luchanko (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)
(F) Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds / OHL)
(F) Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads / OHL; Michigan State University / NCAA)
(F) Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL; Penn State University / NCAA)
(F) Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
(F) Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)
(F) Sam O’Reilly (London Knights / OHL)
(F) Cole Reschny (Victoria Royals / WHL; University of North Dakota / NCAA)
(F) Marek Vanacker (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL)

Head Coach – Dale Hunter (London Knights / OHL)
Assistant Coach – Brad Lauer (Spokane Chiefs / WHL)
Assistant Coach – Gardiner MacDougall (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)
Goaltending Consultant – Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / WHL)
Video Coach – Ethan O’Rourke (Kingston Frontenacs / OHL)
Management Group – Mark Hunter (London Knights / OHL)
Athletic Therapist – Terence Robertson (Red Deer Rebels / WHL)
Team Physician – Michael Conrad (Victoria Royals / WHL)
Equipment Manager – Chris Cook (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL) 
Equipment Manager – Chris Maton (London Knights / OHL)
Strength and Conditioning Coach – Sean Young (Ottawa 67’s / OHL)