Hurricanes star Yager to Captain Canada at 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship
Ottawa, Ont.- Lethbridge Hurricanes star Brayden Yager will Captain Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Saskatoon Blades defenceman Tanney Molendyk and Oshawa Generals forward Calum Ritchie will serve as alternate captains, Hockey Canada announced Thursday.
“I am honoured to be named captain of Team Canada for the World Juniors on a team with so many great leaders, and I am excited for our group to take the ice in Ottawa and continue working towards our goal of winning a gold medal on home ice,” Yager said. “Tanner and Calum are great players and teammates that are deserving of this honour, and I look forward to serving on the leadership group with them and wearing the Maple Leaf with pride in front of Canadian fans.”
This is Yager’s second time representing Canada at the tournament.
The Winnipeg Jets prospect scored two goals and three assists for five points and a +6 rating through five matches at the 2024 edition of the World Juniors.
Yager, 19, has 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points this season with the Hurricanes and Moose Jaw Warriors.
The 6-foot, 170-pound forward helped the Warriors clinch their first WHL Championship in 2024.
He’s also won the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy for Most Sportsmanlike Player in back-to-back years (capturing CHL Sportsman of the Year in 2024) and previously won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL Rookie of the Year in 2022.
Molendyk also made last year’s World Juniors roster but was injured in pre-tournament play and unable to participate.
The Nashville Predators prospect has dazzled the competition with his smooth skating and ability to chip in on offence.
The Saskatoon Blades alternate captain has four goals (including two game-winners) and 17 assists for 21 points in 21 games this season.
Meet the captains! / Voici nos capitaines! 🇨🇦
C: Brayden Yager (@WHLHurricanes)
A: Tanner Molendyk (@BladesHockey)
A: Calum Ritchie (@Oshawa_Generals)#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/LqJoREpnFz— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 19, 2024
Eight WHL players will look to return Canada to the podium when puck drops on Boxing Day.
Carson Bjarnason (Carberry, Man. / Brandon Wheat Kings), Molendyk (McBride, B.C. / Saskatoon Blades), Sawyer Mynio (Kamloops, B.C. / Seattle Thunderbirds), Caden Price (Saskatoon, Sask. / Kelowna Rockets), Berkly Catton (Saskatoon, Sask. / Spokane Chiefs), Tanner Howe (Prince Albert, Sask. / Calgary Hitmen), Gavin McKenna (Whitehorse, Yukon / Medicine Hat Tigers) and Yager (Saskatoon, Sask. / Lethbridge Hurricanes) will all rep the Maple Leaf.
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship kicks off on December 26 with four games.
Canada will play its first match that evening against Everett Silvertips star and Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen and Finland at the Canadian Tire Centre at 5:30 p.m. MST.
Yager and company will also play Switzerland on December 19, Sweden on December 21 and Czechia on December 23 in pre-tournament action.
