Celebrini headlines Canadian world junior roster missing familiar faces

OAKVILLE, ONT. — Nobody is trying to sell the Canadian team heading to the 2024 World Junior Championship in Sweden as the most star-studded collection of players this country has ever gathered. That said, the goal is always gold and Canada plans to pack its work boots.

“I think ‘relentless’ is definitely a big word for us,” said Conor Geekie, one of 22 players tabbed to represent Canada on Wednesday at the end of a four-day camp at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville. “We may not be the most skilled group Team Canada has ever had, but we’re definitely going to take pride in being the hardest working.”

To be sure, the absence of some eligible high-end talent hurts. The likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli and Kevin Korchinski are, despite still being teenagers, already firmly established as NHL contributors. But this is still Canada and, for the second straight tournament, the Red and White will feature a 17-year-old expected to dazzle at the WJC in advance of going first-overall at the next draft.

Last winter in Halifax, that was Bedard. This time out, it’s Macklin Celebrini.

Earlier in the day, Canada played its second game in 48 hours versus a team of Canadian university U SPORTS all-stars. The lone Team Canada goal in a rather lopsided 6-1 loss to the U SPORT crew was sniped by Celebrini and he made several eye-popping plays that led to quality chances. Given this isn’t the most talent-rich squad Canada has ever sent, Celebrini’s potential contributions will be all the more valued.

“I was fortunate to see him [at the under-18 World Championship last spring] and I thought he was dominant, and I saw him in college [at Boston University] this year,” said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president, high performance and hockey operations. “But to be honest, I was surprised at how good he was the last two days. He played on the wing the first day [against the U SPORT team] and then played in the middle today, and I thought he was even better. So for a young player, at 17 years old, to play the way he did here is exciting. And he’s going to have every opportunity to do the same thing when we get there.”

For his part, Celebrini — like everybody else who made the squad — was all smiles. He beamed talking about what an honour it will be to throw on the Canadian sweater at an event he’s always desperately wanted to participate in.

“You can’t hide away from the fact that there are some guys that could be here that aren’t, but we have a great group,” the Vancouver native said. “I’m super excited. [We have] a lot of special players in that locker room. I’m excited about our group.”

To be clear, the roster — guided by head coach Alan Letang — does figure to expand a bit even before the pre-tournament games get going on Tuesday. Canada’s management team named just 12 forwards on Wednesday and will pick up one more, either by circling back to take a player who was cut in Oakville or — if things break its way — by adding a teenager presently in the NHL. That may be a longshot, but the names of Matthew Poitras in Boston and Zach Benson in Buffalo continue to float around.

“It always comes down to health of [NHL] teams, it comes down to the contribution the players are making [in the NHL],” Salmond said. “We’re ultimately respectful. I have my own opinion on players and what this experience is like for them and how important it is, but ultimately we’re respectful of those teams and where players are.”

If neither of those players are available, Canada would likely draw from a group of four forwards — Denver Barkey, Paul Ludwinski, Jagger Firkus or Markus Vidicek — cut on Wednesday. The other players to get tough news at the end of camp were defencemen Ty Nelson, Michael Buchinger, Jorian Donovan and goalie Domenic DiVincentiis. 

The lone returnee from last year’s squad is centre Owen Beck, a Montreal Canadiens prospect. The other two guys on the team affiliated with a Canadian NHL squad are in the Toronto Maple Leafs pipeline. Easton Cowan — whose stock has been on the rise ever since the Leafs made him a surprise first-rounder in 2023 — cleared the bar and will likely be asked to bring grit and tenacity on the fourth line. Then there’s Fraser Minten, who started the year in Toronto and figures to be counted on heavily with Team Canada thanks in large part to his versatility. 

“Fraser is such an intellectual player,” said Peter Anholt, the lead member of Hockey Canada’s management group for this event. “He’s cerebral. He knows the game. He picks up things quickly. He brings us size, he brings a good shot, he can play different positions and play up and down the lineup in different ways.”

Two of the goalies selected — Mathis Rousseau and Samuel St. Hiaire — have already been passed over in the NHL Draft. The third is Buffalo Sabres pick Scott Ratzlaff. Canada doesn’t have to designate who its third goalie will be until closer to the tournament, so the crease competition for playing time will continue in Europe. 

Meanwhile, the one skater on the team who has also been passed over in a draft is 19-year-old Owen Allard. A few things prompted Canada to give him a shot, not the least of which is his six-foot-two frame.

“We think he can really fill an important role for us, adding some size and the way he skates,” Anholt said. “He can be some bring some physicality.”

Sounds like the type of player who fits perfectly with this scrappier version of Team Canada, which plays three exhibition games before beginning the tournament for real on Boxing Day versus Finland.