In a unique twist of hockey fate, two teammates from the Edmonton Oil Kings will find themselves on opposite sides of a fierce international rivalry. As the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship gets underway at the University of Minnesota’s 3M Arena at Mariucci on Boxing Day, Oil Kings defenceman Ethan MacKenzie will suit up for Canada, while his club teammate, centre Max Curran, will represent Czechia.
From WHL Partners to International Opponents
The situation creates a fascinating split in loyalty for Oil Kings general manager Kirt Hill. A year ago, Hill experienced a similar conflict when another of his players, Czech winger Adam Jecho, scored the quarter-final goal that eliminated Canada from the tournament. While Jecho is unfortunately sidelined for this year's event due to an injury sustained at Czechia's training camp, the spotlight now shifts to Curran and MacKenzie.
"I’m a Canadian," stated Hill, who runs one of the Western Hockey League's top teams, when asked where his loyalties lie for this marquee opening-day match-up. Despite his national pride, Hill expressed clear admiration for both of his players who earned spots on the world stage.
MacKenzie's Defiant Path to Team Canada
Ethan MacKenzie’s selection to the Canadian national junior team is a story of determination. The 19-year-old, twice undrafted by the NHL, entered Hockey Canada's selection camp as a relative long shot, lacking prior international experience with the national program. His bold declaration before camp—"I’m not coming back"—proved prophetic.
Hill was not surprised by MacKenzie's success. "Once he got on their radar, I was pretty confident with how hard he plays and what his character is like," Hill said. "I knew he would find a way to make that team." MacKenzie has developed into a reliable shutdown defender for the Oil Kings, often paired with Toronto Maple Leafs first-round pick Ben Danford.
For now, MacKenzie is projected within Canada's top six defencemen, a group that also includes promising 17-year-olds Keaton Verhoeff of North Dakota University and Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars—both expected to be early picks in the 2026 NHL draft.
Curran Carries Czech Hopes in Jecho's Absence
On the other side of the puck, Max Curran will look to make an impact for Czechia, helping to fill the void left by the injured Adam Jecho. Curran's inclusion highlights the depth of talent within the Oil Kings' roster and the WHL's role as a premier development league for international hockey.
The Boxing Day clash promises high stakes and emotional complexity, especially for the Oil Kings organization watching two of its key contributors battle for national glory. Hill summed up his pride in both players, stating, "A lot of credit goes to Ethan. He’s taken substantial steps in his junior career, and he’s proven to a lot of people he belongs in an elite group like this." The same sentiment undoubtedly applies to Curran as he prepares to face his teammate in a game that will be remembered in Edmonton hockey circles for years to come.
