Image credit: WHL

By Pete McIntyre

Dec. 26 - Jan. 5

Eight WHL players picked for Canada’s world junior team

Dec 13, 2023 | 4:50 PM

A total of eight Western Hockey League players have been selected to represent Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Hockey Canada announced the National Junior Team roster Wednesday afternoon following a four-day selection camp at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ont., that included a pair of games against a team of U SPORTS all-stars.

Five WHL teams will be represented by a current roster player on the 2024 Canadian National Junior Team. The Moose Jaw Warriors, Saskatoon Blades, and Wenatchee Wild boast two players each, while the Seattle Thunderbirds and Brandon Wheat Kings are also represented.

All eight WHL players named to the roster will be competing in their first IIHF World Junior Championship.

Vancouver’s Macklim Celebrinni, the projected number one pick in next year’s NHL draft who plays at Boston University, also made Team Canada.

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The 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship is scheduled to be played from Tuesday, December 26, 2023 through Friday, January 5, 2024.

Canada’s National Junior Team – WHL Players

“This was a tremendously competitive camp that showed once again the depth of talent that exists across the country,” said Peter Anholt, the under-20 lead for the Program of Excellence management group. “With so many talented players, difficult decisions had to be made, but the management, coaching and scouting staffs believe the team we have assembled will give us the best chance to compete for a gold medal in Sweden. We are excited to travel to Europe and are grateful to the Town of Oakville and the fans for being part of our journey.”

In addition to the eight WHL players representing Canada on the National Junior Team, the coaching and support staff for Canada’s entry at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship is accented by four WHL personnel or alumni.

Anholt, General Manager of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, along with former Hurricanes defenceman Brent Seabrook comprise the management group for the Canada’s Men’s National Junior Team.

Kamloops Blazers General Manager and Head Coach Shaun Clouston will serve as an assistant coach, while former Prince George Cougars and Calgary Hitmen goaltender Justin Pogge has been named goaltending consultant.

Canada will open its pre-tournament schedule against a U25 team from Denmark on Tuesday, December 19 before facing Switzerland on Friday, December 22 and the United States on Saturday, December 23.

Canada will open the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship Tuesday, December 26 (6:30 a.m. MT) versus Finland. In addition to broadcasting Canada’s pre-tournament games against Switzerland and the U.S., TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will provide extensive coverage of the event, broadcasting all 29 tournament games. TSN Radio will also provide comprehensive tournament coverage.

The IIHF World Junior Championship returns to Canada next year when Ottawa plays host from Decemeber 26, 2024 to January 5, 2025.