Canada’s offence comes to life in final World Juniors tune-up
After scoring a combined four goals in two contests against Sweden, Canada’s offence came to life in their final 2026 World Juniors tune-up Tuesday night.
Canada took down Denmark 13-2 in Manteko, MN., to finish its exhibition schedule 2-1-0.
“We talked a little bit this morning about scoring goals and getting guys feeling good so that’s a big positive from a game like that,” Tij Iginla said.
Former Medicine Hat Tigers star Gavin McKenna had five points (2G/3A), ex Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone (PHI) had four (2G/2A) as did the Saginaw Spirit’s Zayne Parekh (CGY) who had a goal and three assists. The Kelowna Rockets’ Tij Iginla (UTA) scored twice while Jett Luchanko (Brantford Bulldogs), Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts), Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds), Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars) and Keaton Verhoeff (ex Victoria Royals) also had goals.
“We moved the puck around well and made nice plays, shot the puck,” head coach Dale Hunter said.
Canada took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission but scored four unanswered goals in the second to hold a 6-1 advantage after 40 minutes. However, they didn’t relent in the final frame where they outscored Denmark 7-1. The power play also converted Tuesday, scoring four times.
Canada learned the hard way last year how a lack of goalscoring can impact your result; the 2025 hosts scored just 13 goals in five games in Ottawa where they were eliminated by Czechia in the quarterfinals.
However, ahead of the 2026 event, the offence has officially kickstarted albeit against a weaker Danish opponent.
“It can be a bit tough at times to keep playing the right way and having that level of focus but I thought we did a good job of that tonight,” Iginla said. “We stayed hungry … we kept playing right to the end.”
Canada opens its 2026 campaign against Czechia on Boxing Day with the World Juniors final set for Jan. 5.
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 (8)
(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) Keaton Verhoeff (Victoria Royals / WHL; University of North Dakota / NCAA)
Forwards (13)
(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) Sam O’Reilly (London Knights / OHL)
(F) Cole Reschny (Victoria Royals / WHL; University of North Dakota / NCAA)
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)
