Canada Trims Junior Roster to 25 Players

Canada's national junior hockey team trimmed its roster to 25 players on Thursday as preparations intensify for the IIHF World Junior Championship, returning forwards Marek Vanacker and Jake O'Brien, along with defenseman Jackson Smith, to their respective club teams.

Hockey Canada made the announcement following the team's 2-1 victory over Sweden in a pretournament game the previous night at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ontario. Vanacker and O'Brien, both members of the Ontario Hockey League's Brantford Bulldogs, had been part of the selection camp, with Vanacker joining as a late addition. Smith, who played for the team during camp, will rejoin Pennsylvania State University in the NCAA. The move leaves Canada with 22 skaters and three goaltenders, aligning with International Ice Hockey Federation regulations for the under-20 tournament.

The win against Sweden showcased several standout performances from the Canadian side. Forward Brady Martin, selected fifth overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2024 NHL Draft, scored both goals for his team. His first came just 39 seconds into the second period, a one-timer from long range set up by a cross-ice pass from...