Nine players from the Western Hockey League (WHL) have been selected for Canada's pre-tournament camp roster for the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship. The roster includes two goaltenders, two defencemen, and five forwards, with seven WHL clubs represented. The final roster will be announced before the tournament starts on April 22, after additional players are assessed following the Canadian Hockey League playoffs.

By the Numbers
  • Roster includes 3 goaltenders, 7 defencemen, and 13 forwards overall.
  • WHL representation includes players from 7 clubs: Brandon Wheat Kings (2), Vancouver Giants (2), and 5 others.
State of Play
  • Team Canada will play two pre-tournament games against Sweden and Czechia on April 17 and 19, respectively.
  • The tournament begins April 22, with Canada facing Slovakia, Latvia, Norway, and Finland in the preliminary round.
What's Next

Expect roster updates in the coming weeks as Hockey Canada finalizes team selections based on player performances in ongoing playoffs.

Bottom Line

This roster is critical for Canada鈥檚 pursuit of success at the U18 World Championship, spotlighting emerging talent within Canadian hockey and increasing competitive depth at the international level.