Martin scores twice as Canada beats Sweden in World Juniors pre-tournament action

Brady Martin’s impact on Canada’s 2026 World Juniors team has already been felt.

The Soo Greyhounds star had both of Canada’s goals in a 2-1 win over Sweden in their first pre-tournament game in Kitchener, ON., Wednesday night.

Owen Sound’s Carter George stopped 18 shots while former Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna had two assists.

“Playing with Gavin is so easy,” Martin said. “He is such a smart player, and he always finds a way to get the puck to you or to a good spot on the ice. We had some good chemistry tonight, and I thought the guys worked hard.”

The last 18 months for Martin have been nothing short of exceptional; he won gold with Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup then was named an All-Star at the 2025 U18 World Championships where Canada again won gold. He was then the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft Nashville and made three appearances for the Preds before he returned to the Soo.

Now, he’s gunning for a third international gold at the 2026 World Juniors in Minneapolis, MN.

“I’ve dreamt of this my whole life,” Martin said. “I’ve watched a lot of tournaments growing up and my family always watches them. To finally be named to one of the teams is really cool.

“Every one dreams of wearing the Maple Leaf and not a lot of people get to do it so every time I put it on, I leave it all out there and compete and work hard every shift and every game.”

The @OHLHoundPower's Brady Martin shows off those @NHL hands out front as his second of the night gives 🇨🇦 a 2-1 advantage!#WorldJuniors | #Smashville pic.twitter.com/GIMxTYg67W

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) December 18, 2025

Canada are back in action again Saturday where they will face Sweden for a second time in London, ON., before a final tune-up against Denmark on Dec. 23 in Mantako, MN.

“I thought it was a hard-fought game,” said Canada head coach Dale Hunter. “It was our first game as a group and it turned into a bit of defensive game; both teams were playing cat-and-mouse a bit early on. I felt like we just had to be responsible defensively and look for our chances.

“We’re still getting used to each other, how we play, the new systems, but I’m happy with the effort here tonight.”

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 (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)