Canada Names 23-Player Iihf World Championship Canada Team For Switzerland
Canada named its 23-player iihf world championship canada team on the eve of the 2026 tournament, locking in the group that will open play in Switzerland. The roster carries 12 forwards, eight defencemen and three goaltenders for a run that begins May 15 in Zürich and Fribourg.
Kyle Dubas said the group blends experience and upside, with veteran players alongside younger names expected to matter for Team Canada in future years. His message set the frame for a roster built to chase another medal while leaning on players who have already handled the international stage.
Dubas and the selection group
The roster was chosen by a management group led by Brad Treliving and Jason Spezza, with support from Dubas and Scott Salmond. Gregory Campbell, Andrew Cogliano and head coach Misha Donskov also assisted with player selections, giving Canada a mix of front-office and coaching voices in the final decision.
Dubas called the roster one that “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.” He also said it 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.”
Celebrini, Tavares, and the depth chart
John Tavares and Macklin Celebrini are the two Olympic medallists on the roster, while 12 of the 23 players have already suited up for Canada at the senior men’s world championship. Canada also brought 14 players who have played at the world junior championship level, a detail that gives the roster a wider age and experience spread than a simple veteran list.
The forwards are Mathew Barzal, Connor Brown, Robert Thomas, Dylan Cozens, Gabriel Vilardi, Mark Scheifele, Emmitt Finnie, Celebrini, Dylan Holloway, Ryan O'Reilly, Tavares and Fraser Minten. On the blue line are Dylan DeMelo, Denton Mateychuk, Sam Dickinson, Evan Bouchard, Darnell Nurse, Zach Whitecloud, Parker Wotherspoon and Morgan Rielly, with Cam Talbot, Jacko Ivankovic and Jet Greaves in goal.
Paris, Sweden, and May 15
Canada will practice at Accor Arena in Paris starting Friday before heading into pre-tournament games against France on May 10 and Hungary on May 13. Tournament play opens against Sweden on May 15, with Canada then facing Italy, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czechia before medal games begin on May 31.
The schedule gives Canada a short runway before the first puck drop, and the medal history remains hard to miss: since 1931, the country has won 51 world championship medals, including 28 gold, 16 silver and seven bronze. Dubas said the group will try to earn a chance to compete for gold in Switzerland, and the roster now has to turn that promise into results once the games start in Zürich and Fribourg.
