Team Canada at the 2027 WJC: Roster, Schedule, History & Predictions

Canada hosts the 2027 World Junior Championship (WJC) on home soil in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. The tournament starts on December 26, 2026. After winning bronze in the 2026 Minnesota edition, Team Canada enters Group B in Edmonton with high expectations of winning a gold medal on home ice.

Team Canada 2027 World Junior Championship roster schedule and prediction
DetailInfo
Tournament2027 IIHF World Junior Championship
DatesDec 26, 2026 – Jan 5, 2027
GroupB
VenueRogers Place, Edmonton
Head CoachMisha Donskov
General ManagerAlan Millar
Recent MedalBronze in 2026
WJC Titles20
Last UpdateOct 13, 2026

This dedicated Team Canada 2027 World Junior Championship page covers the schedule, projected roster, key players, history, our expert prediction, and everything you need to know.

Canada’s Schedule at the 2027 World Juniors

Team Canada will play four Group B preliminary games at Rogers Place in Edmonton. All games will be played at 5:00 PM (MT) against Switzerland, Latvia, Norway, and Czechia. Below is the complete schedule with all dates, venues, fixtures, and times.

Team Canada 2027 World Junior Championship Group B schedule with game times
DateTime (MT)Time (ET)OpponentVenue
Dec 26, 20265:00 PM7:00 PMSwitzerlandRogers Place, Edmonton
Dec 28, 20265:00 PM7:00 PMLatviaRogers Place, Edmonton
Dec 29, 20265:00 PM7:00 PMNorwayRogers Place, Edmonton
Dec 31, 20265:00 PM7:00 PMCzechiaRogers Place, Edmonton

Visit our complete schedule page for all teams.

Team Canada 2027 World Junior Championship Roster for 2027

Hockey Canada will announce the complete Team Canada roster of 25 players in early December 2026, after the national selection camp concludes. The squad includes 22 skaters and three goalies. The roster below is our projection based on the Summer Showcase and draft status. It is not an official Hockey Canada announcement.

Team Canada 2027 projected roster with 22 skaters and 3 goaltenders

Forwards

PlayerPosShootsHeightWeightCurrent TeamNHL Rights
Cole ReschnyC/LWL5’11”187 lbsNorth Dakota (NCAA)Calgary Flames
Brady MartinCR6’0″187 lbsMilwaukee Admirals (AHL)Nashville Predators
Caleb DesnoyersCL6’2″179 lbsTucson Roadrunners (AHL)Utah Mammoth
Braeden CootesC/RWR6’0″185 lbsAbbotsford Canucks (AHL)Vancouver Canucks
Cameron SchmidtRWR5’8″161 lbsVictoria Royals (WHL)Dallas Stars
Ethan BelchetzLWL6’5″229 lbsMichigan State (NCAA)Utah Mammoth
Caleb MalhotraCL6’2″185 lbsBoston University (NCAA)Vancouver Canucks
Jake O’BrienCR6’2″176 lbsCoachella Valley (AHL)Seattle Kraken
Chase HarringtonLWL6’1″203 lbsSpokane Chiefs (WHL)Calgary Flames
Tynan LawrenceCL6’1″185 lbsBoston University (NCAA)St. Louis Blues
Jack NesbittCL6’5″185 lbsUniversity of Michigan (NCAA)Philadelphia Flyers
Shea BuschLW/RWL6’3″216 lbsPenn State (NCAA)Florida Panthers
Ethan CzataCL6’2″179 lbsGuelph Storm (OHL)Tampa Bay Lightning
Dima ZhilkinLW/RWR5’10”183 lbsSaginaw Spirit (OHL)2027 Draft Eligible

Defensemen

PlayerShootsHeightWeightCurrent TeamNHL Rights
Carson CarelsL6’2″198 lbsNorth Dakota (NCAA)Calgary Flames
Daxon RudolphR6’3″205 lbsUniversity of Denver (NCAA)Buffalo Sabres
Keaton VerhoeffR6’3″216 lbsNorth Dakota (NCAA)San Jose Sharks
Landon DuPontR6’0″190 lbsUniversity of Michigan (NCAA)2027 Draft Eligible
Cameron ReidL6’0″193 lbsUniversity of Michigan (NCAA)Nashville Predators
Ryan LinR5’11”180 lbsUniversity of Denver (NCAA)San Jose Sharks
Jackson SmithL6’3″195 lbsPenn State (NCAA)Columbus Blue Jackets
Brek LiskeR6’2″190 lbsEverett Silvertips (WHL)Philadelphia Flyers

Goaltenders

PlayerCatchesHeightWeightCurrent TeamNHL Rights
Jack IvankovicL5’11”179 lbsUniversity of Michigan (NCAA)Nashville Predators
Lucas BeckmanL6’1″176 lbsCape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)Ottawa Senators
William LacelleL6’0″176 lbsUniversity of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA)2027 Draft Eligible

Coaching & Management Staff

RoleNameCurrent Team / League
General ManagerAlan MillarHockey Canada
Head CoachMisha DonskovHockey Canada
Assistant CoachRyan GetzlafRetired (Anaheim Ducks, NHL)
Assistant CoachDrew BannisterSoo Greyhounds (OHL)
Assistant CoachBrad LauerSpokane Chiefs (WHL)
Assistant CoachJim HultonSaint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Goaltending CoachDan De PalmaKamloops Blazers (WHL)
Video CoachAdam FilmonHockey Canada

See all 10 projected 2027 WJC rosters.

Projected Line Combination

The following line combinations are our projection for how Team Canada might line up. They are based on scouting reports, draft status, the summer showcase in Windsor, and our expert projections. The coaching staff will set the real lines at the selection camp.

Forward Line:

  • First Line: Dima Zhilkin – Cole Reschny (Calgary) – Brady Martin (Nashville)
  • Second Line: Caleb Desnoyers (Utah) – Braeden Cootes (Vancouver) – Cameron Schmidt (Vancouver)
  • Third Line: Ethan Belchetz (Utah) – Caleb Malhotra (Vancouver) – Jake O’Brien (Seattle)
  • Fourth Line: Chase Harrington (Calgary) – Tynan Lawrence (St. Louis) – Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia)
  • Extra: Shea Busch (Florida), Ethan Czata (Tampa Bay)

Projected Defensive Pairings:

  • First Pair: Carson Carels (L) – Keaton Verhoeff (R)
  • Second Pair: Cameron Reid (L) – Landon DuPont (R)
  • Third Pair: Daxon Rudolph (R) – Ryan Lin (R)
  • Extras: Jackson Smith (CBJ), Brek Liske (PHI)

Goaltender depth chart:

  •  Starter: Jack Ivankovic
  • Backup: Lucas Beckman
  • Third-string goaltender: William Lacelle

Key Players to Watch

Team Canada 2027 World Juniors  championship players to watch including Cole Reschny and Brady Martin

Cole Reschny (Calgary Flames)

Standout performer at the summer showcase in Windsor. He shows elite game vision, creates scoring chances, and brings leadership as a 2026 bronze medalist. He is expected to play on the top line and see action on the power play.

Braeden Cootes (Vancouver Canucks)

He was a key player in Canada’s 2026 bronze-medal game and scored 2 goals in 7 games; a strong two-way center, reliable in faceoffs and defensively. Selected 15th overall in the 2025 draft, he brings consistent leadership to a group of young forwards.

Brady Martin (Nashville Predators)

Martin’s availability is a major question mark for the Canadian squad, as he could start the season in Nashville. If released for the tournament, he brings size, skill, and finishing ability to the top six. Drafted fifth overall in 2025, he should be a major offensive threat whenever he steps on the ice.

Caleb Desnoyers (Utah Mammoth)

He was selected fourth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. Desnoyers is a smart playmaking center who can control the offense at even strength and on the power play.

Landon DuPont

Landon DuPont is the most exciting young defenseman in the world. He is projected to be a top pick in the 2027 NHL Draft among defensemen. His elite skating, puck movement, and offensive instincts could make him a game-changer from the blue line. At just 17, he already plays with rare confidence and maturity.

Team Canada Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Deep Forward Group: High-level scoring options are available across all four forward lines.
  • Top-Tier Draft Talent: Roster features multiple elite first-round and top-10 NHL picks.
  • Two-Way Centers: Well-rounded players down the middle capable of playing in all situations.
  • Home-Ice Advantage: Playing in front of a passionate home crowd at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
  • Size and Physicality: Massive forward size provides a heavy and unrelenting forecheck.

Weaknesses

  • Unsettled Goaltending: The hierarchy between the pipes remains undecided ahead of camp.
  • AHL Availability Risks: Key players may be unavailable if professional AHL clubs refuse to release them.
  • Defensive Experience: Only Verhoeff returns on the blue line, the rest are new to the tournament.
  • Short Camp Chemistry: Roster cohesion depends heavily on a short selection camp window.

Canada at Previous World Juniors (History)

Team Canada has won 20 gold, 10 silver, and six bronze medals in World Junior Ice Hockey Championship history. They won bronze in the most recent edition and want more in 2027.

YearFinish
2026Bronze-Medal
20255th Place (Quarterfinal Exit)
20245th Place (Quarterfinal Exit)
2023Gold Medal
2022Gold Medal
2021Silver Medal
2020Gold Medal

Prediction about the Canadian Team in the 2027 edition

Team Canada enters the 2027 WJC as a strong gold medal candidate, especially with home ice in Edmonton. The projected roster has strong depth at every position. But the final results depend on the official roster. If Martin plays and the goalies hold up, Canada can win gold. We predict Canada reaches the gold medal game.

Conclusion

Canada enters the 2027 World Junior Championship with structural leadership and experience. The projected lines look stable across all four units. But December will reveal the official roster and real medal chances. Bookmark this page and check back after the roster announcement.

Explore more: All 10 Teams | Team Sweden | Team USA | Tickets Guide | How to watch guide | Team Germany | Team Finland

Frequently Asked Questions

Canada opens the tournament against Switzerland on December 26, 2026. The game starts at 5:00 PM Mountain Time in Edmonton.

Hockey Canada will announce the roster in early December. A selection camp will be held before the announcement.

Misha Donskov will lead Canada as head coach. Alan Millar is the junior team’s general manager.

McKenna is eligible but expected to stay in the NHL. Toronto picked him first overall in the 2026 draft.