Top 5 Canadian players to watch out for at 2025 World Juniors ft. Gavin McKenna

The 2025 World Juniors is set to kick off on December 26. Ottawa will host the event for the first time since 2009. Canada will be looking to claim the 2025 World Juniors title after the United States won last year’s crown. The team will ice a stacked lineup, but five players stand out as the most impressive.

Here’s a look at the top five Canadian players to watch during the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa.

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Top 5 Canadian players to watch during 2025 World Juniors

#5 Porter Martone, RW

Porter Martone has dominated the OHL this season, producing at a two-point-per-game pace. He’s a strong winger with a top-tier offensive game. He’ll likely draw into the top power-play unit for Team Canada due to his strong game in front of the net.

Martone will generate plenty of interest as he is draft-eligible in 2025. Fans should hear plenty about his presence on the ice during the 2025 World Juniors.

#4 Matthew Schaefer, D

Another 2025 draft-eligible player, Matthew Schaefer should provide scouts with plenty of looks. The 17-year-old is an impact player due to his offensive and defensive skills. He projects as a potential number-one, top-pairing NHL blue liner. As such, Schaefer should see significant ice time during the tournament.

#3 Berkly Catton, C

Berkly Catton, the Seattle Kraken’s first-round pick from last year’s draft, should suit up in Team Canada’s top six during the World Juniors. He’s a natural playmaker and could factor significantly in scoring throughout the tournament. Catton has been a standout in previous international competitions and is playing in his second World Juniors. So, fans should expect big things from Catton in this year’s event.

#2 Sam Dickinson, D

The San Jose Sharks’ defenseman should play top-four minutes for Team Canada. Sam Dickinson currently leads the OHL in offensive categories for d-men, making him an ideal choice to drive the puck during games. His solid skating skills and playmaking ability should give Canada plenty of firepower at the World Juniors.

#1 Gavin McKenna, LW

Gavin McKenna projects as the potential number-one overall pick in 2026. The 16-year-old looks like a surefire NHL star, making his participation in this year’s World Juniors a crucial one. McKenna will be tasked with driving the offense for Canada.

As a natural playmaker, McKenna could play a pivotal role on Canada’s top line. While he’s a solid setup man, McKenna can also score. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see McKenna atop the scoring leaders in this year’s edition of the World Juniors.