US EditionCanada Cuts Three, Roster at 25 Players Ahead of World Junior Championship
Canada reduced its World Junior roster to 25 players, cutting three NHL first-round picks after a 2-1 win over Sweden, following international rules for team size.
- Hockey Canada announced Thursday morning that it cut forwards Marek Vanacker and Jake O'Brien and defenseman Jackson Smith, returning Vanacker and O'Brien to the Brantford Bulldogs and Smith to Pennsylvania State.
- Following Canada’s 2-1 exhibition win Wednesday, the cuts finalize the squad to meet the International Ice Hockey Federation limit of 25 players ahead of the Dec. 26 opener in Minneapolis.
- A training-camp snapshot from Dec. 13, 2025, shows Gavin McKenna, Whitehorse, Yukon, trying to move past Jackson Smith as Canada lists 14 forwards and eight defensemen, with Brady Martin scoring both exhibition goals.
- If Canada does not add players in the next week, Cole Reschny, Keaton Verhoeff and Ethan MacKenzie will head to Minneapolis and St. Paul for the World Juniors, while potential NHL additions Berkly Catton and Sam Dickinson remain unlikely.
- Canada's third and final exhibition is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday against Denmark in Mankato, Minn., it plays Sweden again Saturday in London, Ont., and the U.S. had not made cuts as of Thursday morning.
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14 Articles
Team Canada continues to refine its roster for the World Junior Championship, while other important decisions have been made at the camp today. Attackers Jake O的Brien and Marek Vanacker, as well as defenceman Jackson Smith, are no longer part of the group that is fighting for a spot in the tournament.These cuts occurred shortly after Canada's 2-1 win over Sweden in a first pre-competition game. As a result of these moves, Canada's strength is no…
Team Canada cuts three 1st round picks from World Juniors team
This just in, Hockey Canada has cut 1st round NHL picks Marek Vanacker, Jake O'Brien and Jackson Smith from the roster for the team's 2026 World Juniors roster.From Hockey Canada:Vanacker (London, ON) was drafted 27th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024 and is haing an outstanding season with the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs. He has a ridiculous 26 goals and 41 points in 26 games.O'Brien (Toronto, ON) is also a member of the Bulldogs, tearing …
Canada Cuts Jake O'Brien, Jackson Smith, Marek Vanacker From WJC
Hockey Canada announced Thursday that they’ve cut center Jake O’Brien (Kraken), defenseman Jackson Smith (Blue Jackets), and winger Marek Vanacker (Blackhawks) from their preliminary roster for the 2026 World Junior Championship. All three dressed in yesterday’s 2-1 pre-tournament exhibition win over Sweden, played in Kitchener, Ontario. That’s par for the course for the Canadian staff to get a look at their bubble players in friendly action bef…
Canada cuts three players from 2026 World Junior team - Daily Faceoff
Canada’s World Junior team cut three players from its invitee roster on Thursday, sending forwards Marek Vanacker and Jake O’Brien, as well as defenseman Jackson Smith, back to their respective clubs. Canada has cut: Jake O'BrienMarek VanackerJackson Smith#WorldJuniors — Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) December 18, 2025 The news comes one day after Canada defeated Sweden 2-1 in an exhibition contest in Kitchener, Ont. Brady Martin scored both goal…
Canada returns three players to club teams, trims world juniors roster
Centre Jake O’Brien, winger Marek Vanacker and defenceman Jackson Smith were all returned to their club teams as Team Canada trims its roster ahead of the tournament puck drop, Hockey Canada announced Thursday.
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