Canada set for first pre-World Juniors test vs. Switzerland on TSN
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With their roster set and a bonding trip to Petawawa, Ont. complete, Team Canada is set for their first test ahead of the World Juniors as pre-tournament action begins Thursday.
Canada will face Switzerland in the first of their three pre-tournament games as head coach Dave Cameron looks to set his lines and perhaps establish a starting goaltender before facing Finland on Boxing Day.
Hockey Canada named the 25-player roster for the World Juniors last week, comprised of 14 forwards, eight defencemen and three goaltenders.
Youth is served on the roster in the form of Medicine Hat Tigers star forward Gavin McKenna, who is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft and 2025 draft-eligible prospects forward Porter Martone, defenceman Matthew Schaefer and goaltender Jack Ivankovic.
Cameron said Wednesday he is hoping to see all three goaltenders - Carter George, Carson Bjnarson and Ivankovic in action during the pre-tournament games.
As TSN's Mark Masters wrote, Bjarnason has the best numbers so far this season with an 8-6-2 record and .913 save percentage in the Western Hockey League. The Philadelphia Flyers prospect changed his stance in the net during the off-season, because he felt he was playing too low.
"I have my feet under me a bit more," the 19-year-old said. "I'm using my size to my advantage."
Bjarnason (6-foot-4) is taller than George (6-foot-1) and Ivankovic (5-foot-11), but doesn't have the same international pedigree as the other crease contenders. George backstopped Canada to gold at the recent under-18 World Championship while Ivankovic was lights out at last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Bjarnason posted an .849 save percentage in six games at the under-18 World Championship in 2023 when Canada came away with a bronze medal. He was part of the gold-medal winning team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2023, but played in just one game.
"No light's too bright for me," Bjarnason assured. "I'm just cool, confident. I try and have that calm poise to me and let everybody know I can handle the pressure."
George posted a .915 save percentage in six games at the 2024 under-18 World Championship.
"It definitely gives me a lot of confidence knowing I've been in international play and had that experience there," the 18-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont. said. "I have more confidence in myself to know I can play at this level."
George is 4-13-5 with a .905 save percentage this season in the OHL, but suggests those numbers are misleading.
"We have a young team, but we're in a lot of close games," George said. "It's like 13 one-goal games we've been in, which could go either way. We got a good team and we just got to get over that hill and we'll be a little more successful."
Ivankovic, 17, has a 12-7-1 record with the Brampton Steelheads this season with a .898 save percentage and 3.49 GAA.
Canada is looking to bounce back on home soil this year in Ottawa after finishing fifth at the tournament last year in Sweden.
"This is a tough tournament. Finishing fifth isn't a reflection on anyone other than the fact that it's a tough tournament. There are no easy games. There are four or five teams that can win it,” Cameron told TSN 1200 on Wednesday. "The game evolves. Players evolve. Countries evolve. There are no easy games, and you need a little bit of luck. There are no guarantees. You have to put the work in every day.”
Canada names Yager captain
Hockey Canada has named Winnipeg Jets prospect Brayden Yager as their captain for the upcoming 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa.
Tanner Molendyk and Calum Ritchie will serve as assistants.
“I am honoured to be named captain of Team Canada for the World Juniors on a team with so many great leaders, and I am excited for our group to take the ice in Ottawa and continue working towards our goal of winning a gold medal on home ice,” Yager said in a press release. “Tanner and Calum are great players and teammates that are deserving of this honour, and I look forward to serving on the leadership group with them and wearing the Maple Leaf with pride in front of Canadian fans.”
Yager has scored 12 goals and 22 assists over 23 games split between the Moose Jaw Warriors and Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League this season. He scored two goals and three assists over five games at last year's World Juniors as Canada finished off the podium.
The 19-year-old native of Saskatoon was selected 14th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 NHL Draft. He was traded to the Jets this past summer in exchange for disgruntled prospect Rutger McGroarty.