"Team Canada comes into this tournament as many people's favourite to win (including my own), with a roster led by superstars Gavin Mckenna and Michael Misa up front, loaned-from-the-NHL Zayne Parekh and Harrison Brunicke, as well as the Leafs very own Ben Danford on the back end, and returning netminders Carter George and Jack Ivankovic in net. This year is Canada's to lose, and the red and white are looking to avenge the past two tournaments."
"Round-robin schedule: Dec. 26 vs Czechia, 8:30pm EST Dec. 27 vs Latvia, 4:30pm EST Dec. 29 vs Denmark, 8:30pm EST Dec. 31 vs Finland, 8:30pm EST Canada opens their tournament with back-to-back games against two teams who defeated them in heartbreaking fashion a year ago, opening their tournament against Czechia and following up with the Latvians, who defeated Canada in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history a year ago during group play."
"Winning the top spot in the group phase of the tournament is critical for Canada, who knows from first-hand experience how crucial the quarterfinals are. Maple Leafs represented by Team Canada for 3rd time in a row 2024 first-rounder Ben Danford will be the third Leafs player in as many years to play for Team Canada at the WJC, following Easton Cowan in 2025 and Fraser Minten (and Cowan again) in 2024."
Team Canada begins the 2026 World Junior Championships in Minnesota on December 26 with group games against Czechia, Latvia, Denmark and Finland. The roster features forwards Gavin Mckenna and Michael Misa, NHL-loaned Zayne Parekh and Harrison Brunicke, Maple Leafs defenseman Ben Danford, and returning goalies Carter George and Jack Ivankovic. Canada enters as a favorite after consecutive quarterfinal losses to Czechia in prior tournaments and faces early challenges against teams that previously upset or eliminated them. Denmark returns to the Top Division for the first time since 2019. Securing first place in the group is critical to avoid a dangerous quarterfinal matchup.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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