Canada names final roster for 2024 world juniors
Canada finalized its roster for the 2024 world juniors on Wednesday.
The two-time defending champions are set to begin their tournament on Dec. 26 against Finland. This year's tournament will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Canada named 12 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goalies to its roster. The team is hopeful Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabres or Matt Poitras of the Boston Bruins will be loaned, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. Both players are enjoying strong rookie seasons in the NHL, and if their respective clubs opt to keep them in the pros, Canada can pull a 13th forward from the CHL.
Here are the 22 players Canada selected:
Forwards| Player | Age | Current team |
|---|---|---|
| Owen Allard | 19 | Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) |
| Owen Beck | 19 | Peterborough (OHL) |
| Macklin Celebrini | 17 | Boston University (NCAA) |
| Easton Cowan | 18 | London (OHL) |
| Nate Danielson | 19 | Brandon (WHL) |
| Jordan Dumais | 19 | Halifax (QMJHL) |
| Conor Geekie | 19 | Wenatchee (WHL) |
| Fraser Minten | 19 | Saskatoon (WHL) |
| Carson Rehkopf | 18 | Kitchener (OHL) |
| Matthew Savoie | 19 | Wenatchee (WHL) |
| Matthew Wood | 18 | UConn (NCAA) |
| Brayden Yager | 18 | Moose Jaw (WHL) |
Beck is the lone returnee from Canada's 2023 roster up front. The Montreal Canadiens draft pick entered the tournament as an injury replacement and managed one assist in three games.
Celebrini is widely considered to be the top prospect in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Vancouver product has 25 points in 15 games for the Terriers this season.
Defense| Player | Age | Current team |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Luneau | 19 | Anaheim (NHL) |
| Jake Furlong | 19 | Halifax (QMJHL) |
| Noah Warren | 19 | Victoriaville (QMJHL) |
| Oliver Bonk | 18 | London (OHL) |
| Tanner Molendyk | 18 | Saskatoon (WHL) |
| Maveric Lamoureux | 19 | Drummondville (QMJHL) |
| Denton Mateychuk | 19 | Moose Jaw (WHL) |
Luneau has split his 2023-24 campaign between the Ducks and their AHL affiliate after a prolific QMJHL career with the Gatineau Olympiques. He was a second-round pick in 2022.
Bonk, Molendyk, Lamoureux, and Mateychuk were all first-round picks in 2023 or 2022.
Goalies| Player | Age | Current team |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Ratzlaff | 18 | Seattle (WHL) |
| Mathis Rousseau | 19 | Halifax (QMJHL) |
| Samuel St. Hilaire | 19 | Sherbrooke (QMJHL) |
Ratzlaff is the lone netminder of Canada's trio to be drafted. He was a fifth-round selection of the Sabres this year and is 8-10-1 with an .889 save percentage this season with the Thunderbirds.
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