Hockey Canada unveiled on Thursday the first 15 players who will participate in the IIHF World Championship in May, and there are still several places that could be filled by Montreal Canadian players.
For the moment, the managing director Kyle Dubas and his team have only selected hockey players who have not participated in the national hockey League playoffs.
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The “missing pieces” to the training will be added after the first round. This opens the door to the members of the Habs, for whom the spring ball concluded on Wednesday evening.
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Canada training until now
Attackers (9): Macklin Celebrini, Will Cuylle, Adam Fantilli, Tyson Foerster, Barrett Hayton, Bo Horvat, Kent Johnson, Travis Konecny et Ryan O’Reilly
Defenders (5): Noah Dobson, Ryker Evans, Brandon Montour, Travis Sanheim et Mackenzie Weegar
Goalkeeper (1): Dylan Garand
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An elite striker
At the attack, the name Nick Suzuki is obviously the most attractive for Hockey Canada. He would probably be the first center of this training, ahead of Bo Horvat, Ryan O’Reilly and Macklin Celebrini.
The captain skipped the tournament last year, which could have played in the country’s decision not to hold his candidacy for the confrontation of the 4 nations.
Suzuki will however be difficult to ignore after the phenomenal season he has just known. The 2026 Olympic Games will arrive very quickly and the managers of Hockey Canada will have it.
With the quality of the players already selected in attack, it would be surprising to see Dubas leaning for a Jake Evans or an Alex Newhook. Brendan Gallagher ended the season with injuries, which should also exclude him from the race.
Two versatile defenders
In defense, Canada has two choice candidates in Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle.
Guhle brought the uniform to the maple leaf last year to this tournament, playing nine games in all. He then recovered from a head injury and did not participate in the bronze medal match due to another injury.
Inviting him again seems logical, but Guhle could also choose to rest. Recall that a severe leg cut forced him to miss part of the regular season, but it seemed to his ease in series.
Matheson was reportedly considered to be a potential replacement for Canada to confront the 4 nations. The Quebecer has not known the best seasons, but he remains a player who spends a lot of time on the ice rink and which can be used in all sauces.
A wounded goalkeeper
Canada will need a big name in front of the net since Dylan Garand, who has experienced a good campaign in the American League, is not really a leading goalkeeper.
Samuel Montembeault is. He also led Canada to his last gold medal in 2023. He was also the third goalkeeper of the Unifolié at the confrontation of the 4 nations.
However, the Quebecer injured himself during the series against the capital. Will he be ready for the tournament? He has little time in front of him, however, as the tournament begins on May 9.
