Joseph, Chartrand named to Canada’s National Men’s U18 Team camp roster
CALGARY, Alberta – With the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship fast approaching, Hockey Canada has announced a highly skilled and experienced group that will attend pre-tournament camp ahead of the event in Bratislava and Trenčín, Slovakia.
A total of 20 out of the 23 players – including three goaltenders, six defencemen, and 11 forwards – from the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League have been selected to form the core of Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team. The group was assembled by general manager Alan Millar and head scout Byron Bonora, alongside Hockey Canada’s high-performance staff and coaching personnel.
“Our group will continue to monitor the Canadian Hockey League playoffs, and we expect to add players prior to the start of the world championship,” Millar said. “At this time, we are pleased with the level of talent and international experience we have on our projected roster and are excited to gather in Slovakia in preparation to defend our gold medal.”
This year’s roster features a strong foundation of international experience and success. Three players – Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia / OHL), Ryan Lin (Vancouver / WHL) and Western Hockey League alumnus Keaton Verhoeff are returning gold medallists from the 2025 squad.
In addition, 11 players captured bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, including Gavin Betts (Kingston / OHL), Cameron Chartrand (Saint John / QMJHL), Carter Esler (Spokane / WHL), Jean-Cristoph Lemieux (Sudbury / OHL), Giorgos Pantelas (Brandon / WHL), Mathis Preston (Vancouver / WHL), Thomas Rousseau (Sherbrooke / QMJHL) and Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw / OHL).
The 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship kicks off on April 22, with Canada taking on Slovakia, Latvia, Norway and Finland in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 2.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 12 and 10 tournament games, respectively. TSN will broadcast all Team Canada preliminary-round games, as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal games, while RDS will broadcast all Team Canada preliminary-round games, two quarterfinals, the semifinals and medal games.
For the entire pre-tournament schedule, click here.
For Official Tournament information, clickhere.
Goaltenders (3)
Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs / OHL)
Leif Oaten (Lethbridge Hurricanes / WHL)
Carter Esler (Spokane Chiefs / WHL)
Defenceman (6)
Cameron Chartrand (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL)
Carter Hicks (Brampton Steelheads / OHL)
Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants / WHL)
Caleb Mitchell (London Knights / OHL)
Lucas Ambrosio (Erie Otters / OHL)
Giorgos Pantelas (Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL)
Forwards (11)
Thomas Rousseau (Sherbrooke Phoenix / QMJHL)
Alexis Joseph (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL)
Mathis Preston (Vancouver Giants / WHL)
Zach Lansard (Regina Pats / WHL)
Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL)
Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting / OHL)
Jaxon Jacobson (Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL)
Beckett Hamilton (Red Deer Rebels / WHL)
Jean-Cristoph Lemieux (Sudbury Wolves / OHL)
Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm / OHL)
Dimian Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
