Connor Bedard fronts Canada’s entry at World Juniors
Connor Bedard, the early favourite for top prospect at the 2023 NHL Draft, will return to Team Canada’s entry at the 2022 World Juniors later this month.
The World Juniors is set for summer competition after the first attempt last December was cancelled in the round robin portion following COVID-19 outbreaks from multiple teams.
Bedard, who had five points (four goals, one assist) in two games, is the current consensus for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. He had 100 points (51 goals, 49 assists) in 62 games for the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League in 2021-22. The 17-year-old added seven points (six goals, one assist) in four games at the 2022 IIHF World Under-18 Championship this spring.
Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets and Owen Power of the Buffalo Sabres, each of who will graduate to the NHL ranks full-time this year, were not on the roster for the World Juniors after participating nine months ago. Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Mason McTavish, who played nine games with the Anaheim Ducks last season, will return to the team.
“We are excited to unveil the 25 players who will represent Canada at the World Juniors, as we believe we have assembled a team that will give us the best chance to win a gold medal on home ice,” Alan Millar, Canada’s director of player personnel, said in a release. “We know this group of players and staff will represent our country with pride and embrace the opportunity to compete in a unique summer event in Edmonton.”
Forwards Xavier Bourgault, Mavrik Bourque, Dylan Guenther, Jake Neighbours, Justin Sourdif, Shane Wright, and defenceman Kaiden Guhle are also missing from the previous World Juniors roster. Replacing those players are forwards William Dufour, Joshua Roy, Tyson Foerster, Riley Kidney, Nathan Gaucher, Brennan Othmann, Zack Ostapchuk, and defencemen Daemon Hunt, and Jack Thompson.
Here is Canada’s roster for the 2022 World Juniors:
Goaltenders: Sebastian Cossa, Edmonton (WHL); Brett Brochu, London (OHL); Dylan Garand, Kamloops (WHL).
Defensemen: Carson Lambos, Winnipeg (WHL); Daemon Hunt, Moose Jaw (WHL); Donovan Sebrango, Grand Rapids (AHL); Jack Thompson, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL); Lukas Cormier, Charlottetown (QMJHL); Olen Zellweger, Everett (WHL); Ronan Seeley, Everett (WHL); Ryan O’Rourke, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL).
Forwards: Brennan Othmann, Flint (OHL); Connor Bedard, Regina (WHL); Elliot Desnoyers, Halifax (QMJHL); Joshua Roy, Sherbrooke (QMJHL); Kent Johnson, Columbus (NHL); Logan Stankoven, Kamloops (WHL); Mason McTavish, Hamilton (OHL); Nathan Gaucher, Québec (QMJHL); Ridly Greig, Brandon (WHL); Riley Kidney, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL); Tyson Foerster, Barrie (OHL); Will Cuylle, Windsor (OHL); William Dufour, Saint John (QMJHL); Zack Ostapchuk, Vancouver (WHL).