With the IIHF world hockey championship set to begin in one week, we now know which players will be wearing the Maple Leaf.
Hockey Canada announced its 23-player roster for the tournament in Zürich and Fribourg, Switzerland, that takes place from May 15 to 31.
The roster includes three goaltenders, eight defencemen, and 12 forwards selected by a management group of Brad Treliving and Jason Spezza, with the support of Kyle Dubas and Scott Salmond. A pair of NHL executives in Gregory Campbell and Andrew Cogliano also assisted with player selections, as did head coach Misha Donskov.
Among the 23 players, 12 have previously suited up for Canada at the world championship with the senior men's team, including two Olympic medallists in John Tavares and Macklin Celebrini. The roster also includes 14 players who've donned the Maple Lead at the world junior championship-level.
“The roster for the 2026 IIHF world championship showcases tremendous commitment from some of the very best players in hockey representing Canada internationally, and we thank our 23 players for their commitment to playing for their country,” Dubas said in a statement. “The roster named today combines players who have represented Canada at the very highest level with young players who have the potential to be impact players for Team Canada for years to come, and veteran players with excellent national men’s team and Stanley Cup experience that will provide guidance and leadership.”
Prior to the start of the world championship, the Canadians will practice at Accor Arena in Paris as of Friday, and then take on France for pre-tournament action on May 10 and then Hungary on May 13.
“The 2026 Men’s Worlds represents a great opportunity for Canada to compete against the best nations in the world," Dubas added. "The players and our entire staff are a group that we expect to earn the chance to compete for a gold medal, and it is an opportunity and challenge that we will not take lightly in Switzerland.”
Canada will open tournament play against Sweden on May 15, and also take on Italy, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czechia before medal games get underway on May 31.
Since 1931, Canada has collected 51 medals at the world championship, with 28 gold, 16 silver and seven bronze.
Here is the full 23-player roster:
Forwards
Mathew Barzal
Connor Brown
Robert Thomas
Dylan Cozens
Gabriel Vilardi
Mark Scheifele
Emmitt Finnie
Macklin Celebrini
Dylan Holloway
Ryan O'Reilly
John Tavares
Fraser Minten
Defencemen
Dylan DeMelo
Denton Mateychuk
Sam Dickinson
Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse
Zach Whitecloud
Parker Wotherspoon
Morgan Rielly
Goaltenders
Cam Talbot
Jacko Ivankovic
Jet Greaves
