Dubas Leads 23 Players For World Hockey Championship Canada Roster
Hockey Canada’s world hockey championship Canada roster is set at 23 players for the 2026 IIHF world championship, and the group brings together senior experience and younger talent for the tournament in Switzerland. The roster includes three goaltenders, eight defencemen and 12 forwards.
Dubas and Treliving shape Canada
Brad Treliving and Jason Spezza led the management group that selected the roster, with Kyle Dubas, Scott Salmond, Gregory Campbell, Andrew Cogliano and head coach Misha Donskov also assisting with player selections. Dubas said the group blends players who have already worn Canada’s sweater at the highest level with prospects who could help for years to come.
“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,” Dubas said in a statement released with the announcement.
Tavares, Celebrini among roster names
John Tavares and Macklin Celebrini are among the players on the roster, which also includes forwards Mathew Barzal, Connor Brown, Robert Thomas, Dylan Cozens, Gabriel Vilardi, Mark Scheifele, Emmitt Finnie, Dylan Holloway, Ryan O’Reilly and Fraser Minten. On the back end, Canada named 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 listed in goal.
Twelve players on the roster have previously suited up for Canada at the senior men’s world championship, and 14 have played at the world junior championship level. Tavares and Celebrini are also Olympic medallists, giving this roster a mix of decorated veterans and younger players already used to pressure on international ice.
Switzerland schedule takes shape
Canada will practice at Accor Arena in Paris starting Friday before facing France in pre-tournament action on May 10 and Hungary on May 13. Tournament play opens against Sweden on May 15, with games against Italy, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czechia to follow before medal games begin on May 31.
Canada’s record at the world championship still sets the standard: since 1931, it has collected 51 medals, including 28 gold, 16 silver and seven bronze. This roster is the first step toward trying to add another one in Zürich and Fribourg.
