The 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships stand just weeks away, and Hockey Canada is ready to go for gold in the Czech Republic.
Canada suffered a forgettable sixth-place finish last year when eventual champion Finland eliminated them in the quarterfinals. It marked the first time the country had not earned a medal in a year during which they hosted the annual tournament.
So, what's different about this year's team? Veteran NHL and juniors head coach Dale Hunter — who owns and coaches the OHL's London Knights — takes over behind the bench for last year's coach, Tim Hunter (no relation). Expected 2020 first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere will get a chance to lead Team Canada after getting his first glimpse at the under-20 tournament last year.
MORE: 2020 NHL Entry Draft Top 125: Alexis Lafrenière, Quinton Byfield continue to lead the pack
Other top Canadian prospects expected to make the team include Quinton Byfield, Bowen Byram and Dylan Cozens. A total of three players from last year's Team Canada roster (Lafreniere, Jared McIsaac, Ty Smith) were named to the training camp roster. Five total players are eligible for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, while 12 first-round picks are on the preliminary roster.
Alexis Lafrenière’s dangle around Thimo Nickl and his one handed pass to help key up a Cedric Pare goal is a MUST WATCH. #2020NHLDraft | @DobberProspects | @FCHockey pic.twitter.com/6Rxs7klgar
— Josh Tessler (@JoshTessler_) December 1, 2019
Here is a look at Team Canada's roster for the 2020 World Junior Championships selection camp:
| Name | Position | Hometown | Current Team | NHL Draft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton Byfield | Forward | Newmarket, Ont. | Sudbury (OHL) | 2020 Draft |
| Dylan Cozens | Forward | Whitehorse, Yukon | Lethbridge (WHL) | Buffalo (2019) |
| Ty Dellandrea | Forward | Toronto, Ont. | Flint (OHL) | Dallas (2018) |
| Aidan Dudas | Forward | Parry Sound, Ont. | Owen Sound (OHL) | Los Angeles (2018) |
| Nolan Foote | Forward | Denver, Col.* | Kelowna (WHL) | Tampa Bay (2019) |
| Liam Foudy | Forward | Toronto, Ont. | London (OHL) | Columbus (2018) |
| Benoît-Olivier Groulx | Forward | Rouen, Fra.* | Halifax (QMJHL) | Anaheim (2018) |
| Barrett Hayton | Forward | Kitchener, Ont. | Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) | Arizona (2018) |
| Alexis Lafreniere | Forward | Saint-Eustache, Que. | Rimouski (QMJHL) | 2020 Draft |
| Raphael Lavoie | Forward | Chambly, Que. | Halifax (QMJHL) | Edmonton (2019) |
| Connor McMichael | Forward | Scarborough, Ont. | London (OHL) | Washington (2019) |
| Dawson Mercer | Forward | Bay Roberts, Nfld. | Drummondville (QMJHL) | 2020 Draft |
| Jakob Pelletier | Forward | Quebec, Que. | Moncton (QMJHL) | Calgary (2019) |
| Akil Thomas | Forward | Toronto, Ont. | Niagara (OHL) | Los Angeles (2018) |
| Calen Addison | Defense | Brandon, Man. | Lethbridge (WHL) | Pittsburgh (2018) |
| Kevin Bahl | Defense | New Westminster, B.C. | Ottawa (OHL) | Arizona (2018) |
| Jacob Bernard-Docker | Defense | Canmore, Alta. | North Dakota (NCAA) | Ottawa (2018) |
| Bowen Byram | Defense | Cranbrook, B.C. | Vancouver (WHL) | Colorado (2019) |
| Jamie Drysdale | Defense | Toronto, Ont. | Erie (OHL) | 2020 Draft |
| Jared McIsaac | Defense | Truro, N.S. | Halifax (QMJHL) | Detroit (2018) |
| Ty Smith | Defense | Lloydminster, Sask. | Spokane (WHL) | New Jersey (2018) |
| Nico Daws | Goaltender | Burlington, Ont. | Guelph (OHL) | 2020 Draft |
| Joel Hofer | Goaltender | Winnipeg, Man. | Portland (WHL) | St. Louis (2018) |
| Olivier Rodrigue | Goaltender | Chicoutimi, Que. | Moncton (QMJHL) | Edmonton (2018) |
* individual has dual citizenship
Selection camp for Team Canada begins on Monday, Dec. 9 in Oakville, Ont. Canada opens the 2020 World Junior Championships against the United States on Boxing Day at 1 p.m. ET.