Macklin Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks' top prospect, headlines Canada's roster for the upcoming world hockey championship, as announced by Hockey Canada on Wednesday. The 19-year-old forward, who was the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, will bring his Olympic experience to the international stage after representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, where the team won a bronze medal.
Strong Contingent of NHL Talent
Canada's roster features a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, including defenseman Bowen Byram of the Buffalo Sabres and forwards Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks and Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team will be led by head coach Andre Tourigny of the Arizona Coyotes, who previously coached Canada to a gold medal at the 2023 world junior championship.
Olympic Experience Key
Celebrini's inclusion is a significant boost for Canada, as he showcased his skills in Milan with three goals and five assists in six games. His ability to play both center and wing provides versatility for the coaching staff. 'He's a special player who competes hard every shift,' said Tourigny. 'We're excited to have him on our side.'
The world championship will be held from May 15 to 31 in Zurich and Lausanne, Switzerland. Canada is grouped with Finland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Kazakhstan, and Hungary in Group A. The team opens the tournament against Finland on May 15.
Full Roster Highlights
- Forwards: Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks), Adam Fantilli (Columbus Blue Jackets), Dylan Cozens (Buffalo Sabres), Jack Quinn (Buffalo Sabres), Cole Perfetti (Winnipeg Jets), and others.
- Defensemen: Bowen Byram (Buffalo Sabres), Jamie Drysdale (Philadelphia Flyers), Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres), and Kaiden Guhle (Montreal Canadiens).
- Goaltenders: Devon Levi (Buffalo Sabres), Samuel Montembeault (Montreal Canadiens), and Connor Ingram (Arizona Coyotes).
Canada will look to improve on its fourth-place finish at last year's world championship in Tampere, Finland. The team last won gold in 2023 in Helsinki.
