Key Takeaways
- Porter Martone has been named captain of the Canadian team for the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota.
- Cole Beaudoin and Harrison Brunicke will serve as alternates for the team.
- The Canadian team is looking to avoid a third consecutive quarterfinal exit in the tournament.
- The team’s roster includes a mix of experienced players and newcomers, with several players having previously played in the World Juniors or other international tournaments.
- Canada will face Czechia, Latvia, Denmark, and Finland in the round-robin stage of the tournament.
Introduction to the Team Captain
Canada has announced that Michigan State University forward and Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Porter Martone will lead the team as captain in the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota. Martone is set for his second World Juniors appearance, having played a depth role with the team in Ottawa previously. He has also had experience with the men’s senior national team, playing in a pair of games at the 2025 World Championship. Additionally, Martone served as Canada’s captain at the 2024 U-18 World Championship, where he finished second in team scoring and helped the team win a gold medal in Finland. He also won silver at the 2022 U-17 World Challenge and bronze at the 2023 U-18 World Championship, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure and lead his team to success.
Alternate Captains and Team Experience
Utah Mammoth prospect Cole Beaudoin and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Harrison Brunicke will serve as alternates for the Canadian team. Beaudoin is also set for his tournament return, having played all throughout Canada’s lineup last year. He had one assist in five games, although his tournament was cut short when he was ejected from the quarterfinal game against Czechia after playing just 47 seconds. Beaudoin currently serves as captain of the Barrie Colts in the OHL, where he is tracking for just under a point per game. Brunicke, on the other hand, has spent the entire season playing pro hockey, starting the year with the Penguins and also making appearances with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on a conditioning stint. He has one point in nine games with the Penguins, and his experience playing at the professional level will be valuable to the Canadian team.
Tournament Schedule and Expectations
Canada will open the tournament with an 8:30 PM ET bout against Czechia on December 26. They will then face Latvia, Denmark, and Finland to close out the round-robin stage, with the team hoping to avoid a third consecutive quarterfinal exit. The Canadian team has a mix of experienced players and newcomers, with several players having previously played in the World Juniors or other international tournaments. The team’s goal is to perform well in the round-robin stage and advance to the playoff round, where they will face tougher competition. With Martone, Beaudoin, and Brunicke leading the team, Canada has a good chance of achieving its goals and making a deep run in the tournament.
Roster Overview
The full roster for the Canadian team can be found below, with players from various teams and leagues represented. The goaltenders include Jack Ivankovic (Nashville Predators), Carter George (Los Angeles Kings), and Joshua Ravensbergen (San Jose Sharks). The defensemen include Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames), Harrison Brunicke (Pittsburgh Penguins), Cameron Reid (Nashville Predators), Kashawn Aitcheson (New York Islanders), Ben Danford (Toronto Maple Leafs), Ethan MacKenzie (2026 Eligible), Carson Carels (2026 Eligible), and Keaton Verhoeff (2026 Eligible). The forwards include Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks), Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers), Tij Iginla (Utah Hockey Club), Michael Hage (Montreal Canadiens), Brady Martin (Nashville Predators), Cole Reschny (Calgary Flames), Cole Beaudoin (Utah Hockey Club), Jett Luchanko (Philadelphia Flyers), Liam Greentree (Los Angeles Kings), Braeden Cootes (Vancouver Canucks), Sam O’Reilly (Tampa Bay Lightning), Carter Bear (Detroit Red Wings), Caleb Desnoyers (Utah Hockey Club), and Gavin McKenna (2026 Eligible). The team has a good balance of size, speed, and skill, and will be looking to use its depth and versatility to its advantage in the tournament.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Canadian team is ready to take on the challenge of the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota. With Porter Martone as captain and Cole Beaudoin and Harrison Brunicke as alternates, the team has a strong leadership core that will be instrumental in guiding the team throughout the tournament. The team’s roster is deep and talented, with players from various teams and leagues represented. Canada will be looking to avoid a third consecutive quarterfinal exit and make a deep run in the tournament. With its mix of experienced players and newcomers, the team has a good chance of achieving its goals and making a strong showing in the tournament.
