MINNEAPOLIS — The message is now crystal clear for Canada's world junior hockey team: there are no free passes at this elite international tournament.
A Lesson Learned in a Hard-Fought Victory
Fresh off a much closer-than-expected 2-1 overtime win against Latvia on Saturday, the Canadian squad is adamant about not letting its guard down. This comes despite a decisive 13-2 pre-tournament victory over Denmark just days earlier. The focus has shifted entirely to the official rematch scheduled for Monday night.
"We're looking to play a hard game tonight," said forward Gavin McKenna. "We don't want to take anyone lightly, don't want to give up a whole lot, and just want to play the right way all game."
Searching for a Higher Gear
While Canada remains undefeated with wins over both Czechia and Latvia, the performances have lacked the dominant flair many anticipated. The team acknowledges a significant gap between their current play and their potential.
Defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson pinpointed the issue, stating, "We're probably the most skilled team here. But hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. We obviously got the outcome that we wanted, but we definitely have another level."
McKenna agreed, emphasizing the need for a simpler, more direct approach. "We've got two wins, so can't complain, but there's little things that we got to work on," he noted. "Sometimes guys would be trying to be a little too pretty. I think sometimes we got to be a little bit more selfish here and put the puck in the back of the net."
The even-strength offence, which produced six goals against Czechia, was notably absent against Latvia. McKenna, a natural playmaker who had two primary power-play assists in the last game, admitted he also needs to shoot more frequently.
Lineup Changes on the Horizon
In an effort to ignite the team, the coaching staff is poised to make adjustments. Hockey Canada officially added two players to the roster ahead of Monday's game: 17-year-old defenceman Keaton Verhoeff and forward Carter Bear, bringing the active roster to its maximum of 25.
Verhoeff, a 6-foot-4 freshman at the University of North Dakota and a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, is likely to make his tournament debut. His teammates have full confidence in the young blueliner.
"He doesn't look like a 17-year-old, so I think he'll do great out there," McKenna said of his fellow elite prospect. "He's a very smart hockey player, he can shoot the puck, skates well. He'll be good."
As the tournament progresses, the Canadian juniors understand that skill alone won't secure a gold medal. The hard lesson learned against Latvia has forged a new mindset—one of respect for every opponent and a commitment to reaching that elusive next level of performance.
