2025 World Juniors Team Canada preview: Roster, projected lines, and key players to watch out for

The 2025 World Juniors will begin on Thursday. Team Canada is the odds-on favorite to take home the gold medal. While the path to gold won’t be easy, the stacked Team Canada's roster should excite fans.

The entire Canadian team features NHL-caliber players except two, Gavin McKenna and Matthew Schaefer, who should be among the top five picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

So, here’s a look at the roster, projected lines, and key players to watch for Team Canada in the 2025 World Juniors.

Team Canada roster, projected lines, and key players to watch in 2025 World Juniors

Team Canada roster

The 23-man roster features a powerhouse lineup led by Toronto Maple Leafs’ top prospect Easton Cowan, Seattle Kraken top pick Berkly Catton and Colorado Avalanche rising star Calum Ritchie.

On the blue line, Nashville Predators' Tanner Molendyk, Philadelphia Flyers' Oliver Bonk and San Jose Shark top prospect Sam Dickinson should garner plenty of attention.

In the crease, the LA Kings' Carter George and the Flyers' Carson Bjarnason will be tasked with stopping the opposition.

With a stacked lineup, the Canadian side for the 2025 World Juniors should be the team to beat.

Team Canada projected lines

Here’s a look at the four projected lines for Team Canada at the 2025 World Juniors:

• Easton Cowan – Berkly Catton – Calum Ritchie
• Gavin McKenna – Brandon Yager – Matthew Wood
• Carson Renkopf – Jeff Luchanko – Porter Martone
• Denver Barkey – Cole Beaudoin – Mathieu Cataford

Here’s a look at the defense pairings:

• Tanner Molendyk – Oliver Bonk
• Sawyer Mynio – Zayne Parekh
• Matthew Schaefer – Sam Dickinson

The netminders are projected to be:

• Carter George
• Carson Bjarnason

The deep lineup should make it challenging for opposing coaches to play matchups. There is plenty of speed, talent, and hockey sense. However, Team Canada could be vulnerable to a grinding style of hockey, potentially exposing a weakness.

Key players to watch

All eyes will be on Gavin McKenna, who projects as the future number-one pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. McKenna is projected to play on the second line, potentially giving him plenty of scoring opportunities as the opposition focuses on the top trio.

Matthew Schaefer is another top-five projected player. The 2025 World Juniors could certainly help improve his draft stock, making him a potential top-three pick.

If he contributes to Team Canada’s third line, Porter Martone could jump into the first-round conversation in the upcoming draft.

The big draw will be on the top line as Cowan, Catton, and Ritchie are expected to dominate the tournament in scoring. Fans should expect plenty of fireworks from the Canadian top line as the trio has NHL experience, with Ritchie making the Colorado Avalanche out of camp this season.

Team Canada should be the most exciting team to watch during the 2025 World Juniors. However, it could get some stiff competition from Team USA and Sweden.