WHLers shine as Canada dominates 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship pre-tournament action
Ottawa, Ont.- Captain Canada Brayden Yager (Lethbridge Hurricanes / Saskatoon, Sask.) wasted no time getting things started with a fresh letter stitched on his new jersey.
The Winnipeg Jets prospect netted the game-opening goal as Canada cruised to a 7-1 win over Switzerland in their first pre-tournament game ahead of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Brayden Yager chats with Mark Masters about the honour of being Team Canada’s Captain 👏🇨🇦#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/0xeMtyCOuV
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 20, 2024
The Western League contingent accounted for three of Canada’s goals and an assist, while Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Leo Braillard (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Sui.) tallied Switzerland’s lone goal.
Just over six minutes into the first period, Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / Kanata, Ont.) forced a turnover in the Swiss zone and fed a wide-open Yager who snapped a perfect shot past the netminder.
The captain gets the scoring started! 🚨
Le capitaine ouvre la marque! 🚨#WorldJuniors | #MondialJuniorpic.twitter.com/exYGpUmcpj
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 20, 2024
Freshly-minted alternate captain and Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon Blades / McBride, B.C.) helped double the lead with calm play behind the Switzerland net before feeding Andrew Gibson (Sault St. Marie Greyhounds / LaSalle, Ont.) for a clapper and a 2-0 lead.
The Western League defencemen continued to chip in at the net as Seattle Kraken pick Caden Price pinched in to rifle a shot short side less than a minute later.
Canada would carry a 4-0 lead into the third period, where Head Coach Dave Cameron opted to bring goaltender and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carson Bjarnason (Brandon Wheat Kings / Carberry, Man.) off the bench for his first action of the night.
Easton Cowan (London Knights / Mount Brydges, Ont.) kicked off the period with his first of three goals, and Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs / Saskatoon, Sask.) took the game into true blowout territory with a sneaky play.
The Seattle Kraken 2024 eighth overall pick quietly parked himself on the backdoor of the Swiss net and was unmarked as he swatted a rebound into the twine to make it a 6-0 game.
Berkly's on the board! 🚨
Catton se joint à la fête! 🚨#WorldJuniors | #MondialJuniorpic.twitter.com/xblsObo75o
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 20, 2024
Switzerland would break the goose egg midway through the final frame- courtesy of Lethbridge Hurricanes standout Leo Braillard.
Braillard, making his second straight appearance at the tournament, took advantage of a Canadian misplay behind the net and whipped a shot past Bjarnason as he rushed to return to the crease.
Leo Braillard gets Switzerland on the board!🇨🇭🔥#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/RfEIdI7i8Q
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 20, 2024
Cowan capped off the night with a hat trick goal as Canada picked up a 7-1 decision in its first tune-up game.
Bjarnason turned aside three of four shots faced in his lone period between the pipes.
Canada is back in action on Saturday, December 21 as they face Calgary Flames prospect Axel Hurtig (Calgary Hitmen) and Sweden at 7:00 p.m. EST.
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