Mammoth prospects Beaudoin, Desnoyers, Iginla thrilled to represent Canada together
Photo credit: Jennifer Robins / Hockey Canada
The future of the Utah Mammoth is going to be on full display whenever Canada hits the ice at the 2026 World Juniors.
A trio of Mammoth prospects in the Kelowna Rockets’ Tij Iginla, Barrie Colts’ Cole Beaudoin and the Moncton Wildcats’ Caleb Desnoyers will all have critical roles for Canada as they seek a 21st World Juniors gold medal.
And while their focus – rightfully so – is fully on the task at hand over the coming weeks, they are certainly not tone-deaf to how crucial the three of them will be to Utah’s future.
“The team already has some really really talented young players and us as the prospects, we’ve grown close over the times we’ve got to be together,” Iginla said. “We’re really excited to try and make that roster as soon as we can.”
And when they do, which will be sooner than later, they’re going to join an already loaded youth movement. Dating back to the franchise’s Arizona days, the Mammoth are stockpiled with talent already in the NHL that includes Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther (Edmonton/Seattle – WHL) Clayton Keller, Maveric Lamoureux (Drummondville – QMJHL), JJ Peterka and Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor – OHL), among others.
“It shows how well Utah’s done with picking players,” Beaudoin said. “We’ve got a lot of young talent there – not only prospects coming up but players already on the team. You see all the talented young players so it’s going to be a bright future ahead for that organization and us three.
“We’re super excited to a part of it.”
Iginla made history in 2024 when he became the Mammonth’s first ever NHL Draft pick when he was selected sixth overall. Beaudoin joined him shortly after as the 24th pick that year while in 2025, Desnoyers was the fourth overall choice.
Utah also has additional CHLers stockpiled in their system that includes the Chicoutimi Sagueneens’ Tomas Lavoie, Desnoyers’ Wildcats teammate Gabe Smith and the Portland Winterhawks’ Max Psenicka.
But for the next few weeks, the first-round trio will have the spotlight. They’re more than use to it; Beaudoin is playing his second World Juniors, Desnoyers is a QMJHL champion and Iginla is the son of an NHL legend.
“It’s very exciting,” Desnoyers said. “They’re great hockey players and very talented but the main factor is they’re great people off the ice. Their values and how they treat those around them is something I really appreciate but on the ice their talent and work ethic speaks for itself so it’s really fun to be here with them.”
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)
