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Canada cuts three, roster at 25 players ahead of world junior championship

Canada cuts three, roster at 25 players ahead of world junior championship | iNFOnews.ca
Sweden's Lucas Pettersson (11) tries to keep the puck from Canada's Marek Vanacker (15) during third period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship pre-tournament action in Kitchener, Ont. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

NIAGARA FALLS — Three players have been cut from Canada’s roster as the team continues preparations for the world junior hockey championship.

Hockey Canada announced Thursday that forwards Marek Vanacker and Jake O’Brien and defenseman Jackson Smith have been returned to their club teams.

The cuts were made after Canada defeated Sweden 2-1 in a pre-tournament game Wednesday night in Kitchener, Ont.

Vanacker, a late addition to camp, and O’Brien both return to the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League, while Smith will rejoin Pennsylvania State in the NCAA.

The cuts trim Canada’s roster to 25 players (22 skaters and three goaltenders), which is allowable under International Ice Hockey Federation rules.

Canada kicks off its tournament against Czechia on Dec. 26 in Minneapolis.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 18, 2025.

Canada cuts three, roster at 25 players ahead of world junior championship | iNFOnews.ca
Jake O’Brien, of Toronto, participates in a drill during Canada’s National Junior Team training camp in Niagara Falls, Ont., Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Canada cuts three, roster at 25 players ahead of world junior championship | iNFOnews.ca
Gavin McKenna, of Whitehorse, Yukon, tries to move past Jackson Smith, of Calgary, Alta., during Canada’s National Junior Team training camp in Niagara Falls, Ont., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

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