OTTAWA – The World Juniors can be where stars are born. If you know hockey, you probably already know the name Gavin McKenna. Anyone who didn’t yet is sure to find out now as the youngest member of Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship is ready for the bright-shining spotlight.

USA’s World Junior camp opened today in Plymouth, Michigan. Team USA will only have to make four cuts from its roster, but plenty of questions remain about the U.S. squad’s roster construction.

Canada has its roster for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Four returning players will be looking to improve on a disappointing quarterfinal finish from last year’s event as they take to home ice in Sweden. They’ll get some help from a trio of highly-regarded prospects yet to be drafted including No. 1 candidates in 2025, Matthew Schaefer and Porter Martone, and the consensus No. 1 pick for 2026, Gavin McKenna.

The CHL has named its captains for this month’s CHL-USA Prospects Challenge as Porter Martone will wear the C and be joined by alternate captains Caleb Desnoyers, Blake Fiddler and Matthew Schaefer.

In a trade of top prospects, the Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Brayden Yager, according to multiple reports and first broken by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. McGroarty was the No. 14 overall pick in 2022 and Yager went 14th overall in 2023. Both were among their system’s top prospects.

PLYMOUTH, Michigan – In the game everyone was looking forward to most at the World Junior Summer Showcase, old rivals met to close out the event. Canada played USA for the first and only time this week, bringing a feisty competition between the two talented hockey clubs.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The only thing hotter than the desert heat is the anticipation for Friday night's first round. It wouldn't be Las Vegas without fireworks and whether it's the order of the picks or the trades that could happen, there should be a ton of activity.

When looking at players for the NHL Draft, one of the most difficult things to judge is whether the player can reach the ceiling suggested by what they look like now. A player with elite athleticism, a big frame, or some skills that could make them dangerous at the next level are especially enticing. Often, however, there are other factors that have to be considered and there are always reasons why a player may not ultimately reach the lofty ceiling predicted for them.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – As it often does, the 2024 NHL Scouting Combine is a great place to gather information, meet prospects and get one last feel for where the 2024 NHL Draft is going.

ESPOO, Finland – If you didn’t know the name Gavin McKenna yet, get ready because you’re not going to be able to escape hearing it for the next two years as we build up to his NHL Draft day.

ESPOO, Finland – USA vs. Canada. No matter the level, no matter the stage, if there is ice involved, it does not get better than that.

ESPOO, Finland – Gavin McKenna isn’t NHL Draft-eligible until 2026, and Porter Martone won't be drafted until 2025, but they’ve already laid waste to a record previously held by the guy who is expected to go No. 1 in 2024. McKenna scored a highlight-reel goal in Canada’s semifinal 5-4 win over Sweden to notch his 16th point of the tournament, passing Tyson Jost and 2024 top prospect Macklin Celebrini for the most points by a Canadian at the IIHF Men’s World Under-18 Championship. Meanwhile, Martone posted two assists against Sweden, drawing even with McKenna while surpassing Celebrini and Jost himself.

The 2024 IIHF Men’s World Under-18 Championship is a great opportunity for top NHL Draft prospects to make a strong last impression on scouts. There are plenty of players that have more to prove and more to show, which makes this tournament a big one for a lot of players.

As Canada prepares to go for its third consecutive gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, they'll do so with a lineup that is light on experience, but long on talent. Hockey Canada has had to shuffle its roster in the days leading up to the tournament, however, leaving some uncertainty about their ultimate medal hopes.

Before the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship has even begun, Canada’s had to shift its roster, particularly on the blue line. Hockey Canada announced Saturday that defensemen Ty Nelson and Jorian Donovan have been named to the team’s roster as previously-announced defensemen Tanner Molendyk (NSH) and Tristan Luneau (ANA) will not be able to participate for medical reasons.