Donovan and Nelson added to Canada’s National Junior Team

Hockey Canada announced following its 6-5 overtime pre-tournament loss to the United States on Saturday that OHL defencemen Jorian Donovan (Brantford Bulldogs) and Ty Nelson (North Bay Battalion) have been added to the National Junior Team roster.

The two 19-year-olds replace injured rearguards Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon Blades) and Tristan Luneau (Anaheim Ducks/Gatineau Olympiques) on the final roster for the annual tournament that begins on Boxing Day in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Donovan was named Canada’s Player of the Game in Saturday’s loss to the U.S.A. as the Ottawa Senators prospect drew a primary assist in the game after being added to the camp roster on Friday. The Richmond, Ont. native is in his third season with the Bulldogs, recently becoming the franchise’s all-time leading goal-scorer among blueliners. Donovan leads the Bulldogs from the blueline with 26 points (8-18–26) over 31 games this season. He was Ottawa’s fifth-round (136th overall) pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, and signed an entry-level contract with the Senators on Sept. 23, 2022.

Nelson joins Canada’s roster in the midst of his third season on the North Bay blueline. The former first overall pick of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection has 31 points (12-19–31) in 28 games with the Battalion this season, and is the franchise’s all-time leader in goals (45), assists (113) and points (158) by a blueliner. Nelson, who was an OHL third team all-star last season, was a third round (68th overall) pick of the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft, and signed an entry-level deal with the club on May 11, 2023. Nelson previously represented Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, winning bronze.

Donovan and Nelson join six other OHL players on Canada’s National Junior Team roster as they prepare to face Finland in Tuesday’s Boxing Day opener at 8:30am ET on TSN.

OHL Players Representing Canada at the 2024 World Juniors:

Defencemen:
Oliver Bonk (London Knights)
Jorian Donovan (Brantford Bulldogs)
Ty Nelson (North Bay Battalion)

Forwards:
Owen Allard (Soo Greyhounds)
Owen Beck (Peterborough Petes)
Easton Cowan (London Knights)
Matthew Poitras (Boston Bruins/Guelph Storm)
Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener Rangers)

For complete coverage of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, visit IIHF.com.