Tomorrow will mark one month until the 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships kick-off in Edmonton and Red Deer Alberta. As I did last year, I will be posting daily updates/recaps for the tournament.
For today’s post, I will be predicting Canada’s roster for the 2022 World Juniors. I wrote out my projected roster before typing this out, and it looks strong. Canada, as they do every year, will look to contend for a gold medal.
My roster has plenty of top NHL prospects, as well as a couple of prospects eligible for both the 2022 and 2023 Entry Drafts. It also includes three returning players, one on forward, one on the blue line and one in net.
Each of the ten participating nations will be allowed to carry a 23-man roster, usually divided up into 13 forwards, seven defencemen, and three goaltenders.
Let’s dive in and take a look at my projected Team Canada World Junior roster!
Forwards (13)
| Player | Current team | NHL Draft |
| Connor Bedard | Regina Pats (WHL) | 2023 |
| Zachary Bolduc | Quebec Ramparts (QMJHL) | STL – 2021 (1/17) |
| Xavier Bourgault | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) | EDM – 2021 (1/22) |
| Luke Evangelista | London Knights (OHL) | NSH – 2020 (2/42) |
| Tyson Foerster | Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) | PHI – 2020 (1/23) |
| Dylan Guenther | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) | ARZ – 2021 (1/9) |
| Kent Johnson | University of Michigan (NCAA) | CLB – 2021 (1/5) |
| Zachary L’Heureux | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) | NSH – 2021 (1/27) |
| Mason McTavish | Peterborough Petes (OHL) | ANA – 2021 (1/3) |
| Jake Neighbours | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) | STL – 2020 (1/26) |
| Brennan Othmann | Flint Firebirds (OHL) | NYR – 2021 (1/16) |
| Cole Perfetti* | Manitoba Moose (AHL) | WPG – 2020 (1/10) |
| Shane Wright | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) | 2022 |
Defence (7)
| Player | Current team | NHL Draft |
| Corson Ceulemans | (University of Wisconsin – NCAA) | CLB – 2021 (1/25) |
| Brandt Clarke | (Barrie Colts – OHL) | LAK – 2021 (1/8) |
| Kaiden Guhle* | (Prince Albert Raiders – WHL) | MTL – 2020 (1/16) |
| Daemon Hunt | (Moose Jaw Warriors – WHL) | MIN – 2020 (3/65) |
| Carson Lambos | (Winnipeg Ice – WHL) | MIN – 2021 (1/16) |
| Owen Power | (University of Michigan – NCAA) | BUF – 2021 (1/1) |
| Jack Thompson | (Sudbury Wolves – OHL) | TBL – 2020 (3/93) |
Goaltenders (3)
| Player | Current team | NHL Draft |
| Brett Brochu | (London Knights – OHL) | 2022 |
| Sebastian Cossa | (Edmonton Oil Kings – WHL) | DET – 2021 (1/15) |
| Dylan Garand* | (Kamloops Blazers – WHL) | NYR – 2020 (4/103) |
Canada’s schedule for the 2022 World Juniors is as follows:
- December 26th vs Czech Republic at 7pm ET.
- December 28th vs Austria at 7pm ET.
- December 29th vs Germany at 7pm ET.
- December 31st vs Finland at 7pm ET.
Thanks to everyone who has been reading. I greatly appreciate it.
-Cooper.