Canada has its team for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship as they look to extend their gold-medal streak to three in Gothenburg, Sweden starting Dec. 26.

The two-time defending gold medalists will enter the 2024 tournament with just one returning player from last year’s team, which makes for a substantial experience gap between them and other top contenders like USA and Sweden. Canada named only 12 forwards to its roster as there is believed to be some hope that they could add one of Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabres or Matthew Poitras of the Boston Bruins as a late loan from one of their respective teams. If they do not, it sounds like they would recall one of their camp cuts to join them in Sweden.

Owen Beck (MTL), who appeared in three games at last year’s tournament, is the lone returnee. He is likely to wear a letter for the team and be a significant forward in the team’s lineup.

Among the players is 17-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who is the projected No. 1 pick for the 2024 NHL Draft. Currently playing at Boston University, Celebrini is currently tied for third in NCAA scoring with 25 points despite being the youngest player in college hockey this year. 

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He was last year’s USHL Rookie, Forward and Player of the Year after a record-breaking season with the Chicago Steel and matched Canada’s single-tournament scoring record at the 2023 IIHF World Men’s Under-18 Championship with 15 points as the team took bronze.

In addition to Beck and Celebrini, Canada’s forward group will include a number of first-round NHL Draft picks including Nate Danielson (DET), Matt Savoie (BUF), Conor Geekie (ARI), Brayden Yager (PIT) and Matthew Wood (NSH). 

On the blue line, Canada will be led by a number of high-end prospects including Denton Mateychuk (CBJ), Maveric Lamoureux (ARI) and Tristan Luneau, who played NHL games this season with the Anaheim Ducks before being loaned to Team Canada.

In net, Canada will be going with Mathis Rousseau, Samuel St-Hilaire and Scott Ratzlaff (BUF).

Team Canada Roster

Forwards

Owen Allard, Owen Beck (MTL), Macklin Celebrini (2024), Easton Cowan (TOR), Nate Danielson (DET), Jordan Dumais (CBJ), Conor Geekie (ARI), Fraser Minten (TOR), Carson Rehkopf (SEA), Matthew Savoie (BUF), Matthew Wood (NSH), Brayden Yager (PIT)

Defensemen

Oliver Bonk (PHI), Jake Furlong (SJS), Tristan Luneau (ANA), Maveric Lamoureux (ARI), Denton Mateychuk (CBJ), Tanner Molendyk (NSH), Noah Warren (ANA)

Goaltenders

Scott Ratzlaff (BUF), Mathis Rousseau, Samuel St-Hilaire

Cuts

Michael Buchinger (STL), Jorian Donovan (OTT), Denver Barkey (PHI), Paul Ludwinski (CHI), Ty Nelson (SEA), Jagger Firkus (SEA), Markus Vidicek, and Dominic DeVincentiis (WPG)