Dynamic Duo Returns: Misa and Parekh Headline Canada’s 2026 Roster

For the first time since hoisting the Memorial Cup together in 2024, Michael Misa and Zayne Parekh will wear the same crest again, this time representing Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The former Saginaw Spirit teammates and close friends are set to reunite on the national stage after Team Canada added Misa, the reigning OHL’s Most Outstanding Player, to the roster last week following his recovery from injury. For both players, this World Juniors debut has been a long time coming.

Misa, the second overall pick by San Jose in the 2025 NHL Draft, is making his first-ever appearance at the tournament. Parekh, selected ninth overall by Calgary in 2024, earns his first official roster spot after attending selection camp last year. The two former OHL standouts enter as some of Canada’s most anticipated newcomers, their paths intertwined since their three seasons together in Saginaw, a run that saw them capture a Memorial Cup championship and has now led to NHL rookie campaigns on opposite coasts.

“I’m juiced,” Parekh said with a grin. “We talk almost every day over FaceTime, but it will be nice to finally see him in person again.”

That chemistry figures to be on full display when the tournament begins. The pair is expected to reunite on Canada’s top power-play unit, a familiar setup for two players who built their reputations on creativity and big-moment execution. 

“Just being out there with him, it’s easy to play with someone like that for three years, and just the bond we’ve created over those three years, it’s special,” Misa said. “It’s great to be back with him again.”

Parekh, one of the most dynamic young defensemen in the game, carries immense pride wearing the national jersey.

“It means everything to me,” he said. “Putting on that jersey is a really special feeling. It comes with a lot of pride and humility. We’re looking to win gold while we’re at this tournament.”

And he knows exactly what it means to have Misa back beside him.

“He’s one of my best friends. And as teammates, we’re pretty deadly together, and it’ll be fun to watch.”

Both players now arrive with valuable experience beyond their OHL days, bringing a new layer of maturity and confidence that Canada hopes will translate into a deep tournament run, something the program hasn’t achieved since 2023. While their reunion provides a compelling storyline, their focus remains collective.

“Last year is last year,” Misa said. “It’s a whole new year, and we’re coming to this tournament to win gold. It’s the only thing on our mind, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure we get that job done.”

For two former Spirit stars who once electrified the OHL together, the stage is bigger now, the stakes higher, and the spotlight brighter. The formula that worked in Saginaw now gets its biggest test yet.

 

Canada’s Upcoming Schedule:

Dec. 23 vs. Denmark (Preliminary)

Dec. 26 vs. Czechia (Round Robin)

Dec. 27 vs. Latvia (Round Robin)

Dec. 29 vs. Denmark (Round Robin)

Dec. 31 vs. Finland (Round Robin)

 

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As the official Canadian broadcast partners of the IIHF World Junior Championship, TSN and RDS will broadcast all of Canada’s pre-tournament and round-robin games; please check local listings for details.

 

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca and iihf.com ,or follow through social media on Facebook , X, Instagram and TikTok.