Hockey Canada has solidified its leadership group on the eve of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, naming Porter Martone as team captain for the prestigious tournament in Minnesota.
Leadership Trio Announced for Redemption Quest
The announcement came on December 25, 2025, just one day before Canada's opening game. Martone, a forward selected sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2025 NHL Draft, will wear the 'C'. He will be supported by alternate captains Cole Beaudoin, a Utah Mammoth first-round pick playing for the OHL's Barrie Colts, and Harrison Brunicke, a defenceman who has already seen action with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season.
This leadership core is tasked with guiding Canada to a gold medal after disappointing fifth-place finishes at both the 2025 World Juniors and the 2025 Men's World Championship.
Captain Martone Brings Extensive International Resume
Martone, a native of Peterborough, Ontario, is no stranger to the pressure of international hockey. The 6-foot-3, 196-pound winger boasts an impressive history with Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence. He represented Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the under-18 world championship.
His leadership credentials were cemented in 2024 when he captained Canada's under-18 team to a gold medal, tallying five goals and 17 points in seven games. Currently playing NCAA hockey for the Michigan State Spartans, Martone has recorded 11 goals and 20 points in 16 games this season. He is one of six players returning from last year's world junior roster.
Alternate Captains Add Depth and Experience
Alternate captain Cole Beaudoin, from Kanata, Ontario, joins Martone as a returning player. He also brings a wealth of experience, having worn the maple leaf at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, under-18 worlds, and previous world juniors. Playing for the Barrie Colts this season, Beaudoin is off to a hot start with 14 goals and 41 points in 25 OHL games.
Defenceman Harrison Brunicke brings a unique story and pro experience to the leadership group. A second-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft, Brunicke was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and became the first non-goaltender from that nation to play in the NHL earlier this year. After nine games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has been playing with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Brunicke won gold with Martone and Beaudoin at the 2024 under-18 world championship.
As one of only two Canadian defencemen with professional experience, alongside Zayne Parekh, Brunicke is expected to log significant minutes on the blue line.
Tournament Opens with a Chance for Revenge
Canada's quest for gold begins with a highly anticipated rematch. The team opens its tournament schedule on December 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET against Czechia—the nation that eliminated Canada in the quarterfinals in each of the past two years. The game sets the stage for a redemption tour led by Martone and his newly appointed leadership group.
