Celebrini, Bouchard headline Canada’s roster at World Hockey Championship

San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini and Edmonton Oilers blueliner Evan Bouchard headline the 23 players who will represent Canada at the 2026 World Hockey Championship in Switzerland.

The tournament gets underway on May 15 with Canada opening against Sweden. They will compete in Group B alongside Sweden, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, and Italy.

“The roster for the 2026 IIHF World Championship 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,” said Kyle Dubas, who was part of the leadership group to construct the team.

“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.

“The 2026 Men’s Worlds represents a great opportunity for Canada to compete against the best nations in the world. The players and our entire staff are a group that we expect to earn the chance to compete for a gold medal, and it is an opportunity and challenge that we will not take lightly in Switzerland.”

Celebrini, 19, wrapped up his sophomore season in the NHL, finishing with 45 goals and 115 points in 82 games as his Sharks just missed out on the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The North Vancouver native also represented Canada at Milano Cortina 2026, leading the tournament with five goals to go along with 10 points in six games to take home a silver medal.

Bouchard, 26, led all defencemen in scoring last season, recording 21 goals and 96 points in 82 games while averaging 24:41 of ice time. The 6-foot-3, right-shot blueliner added a goal and seven points in six playoff games before the Oilers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Bouchard, a native of Oakville, Ont., previously represented Canada at the 2019 World Juniors in a sixth-place finish. This is his first appearance at the senior level.

In the crease, Canada features Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Jet Greaves, Nashville Predators prospect Jack Ivankovic, and Detroit Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot.

Celebrini and Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares are the only two players who have represented Canada at the Olympics, but the team also features 12 players who have represented their country at the senior level.

Other players representing Canadian teams include Ottawa Senators forward Dylan Cozens, Winnipeg Jets forwards Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi, and defenceman Dylan DeMelo, Oilers blueliner Darnell Nurse, Flames defender Zach Whitecloud, and Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly.

Canada at the 2026 World Hockey Championship:

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