We’re about a month away from the start of training camps for the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa – and Canada and the United States look like two clear favorites for gold.

That typically is the case, given they’ve won gold in seven of the past eight years. That includes USA’s victory in Sweden last year with an American lineup that could rival many of the all-time great squads. But Canada isn’t going to be interested in falling short on home ice – they won it in 2022 in Edmonton and 2023 in Halifax.

Both teams met for a thrilling final game of the World Junior Summer Showcase earlier this summer, with the United States winning in a shootout. Both lineups were missing some of the top players, but it still showed the true depth of each group.

Today, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis and Colton Davies have put together their projected rosters with a month to go until training camp:

Steven Ellis

Canada

FORWARDS

Riley Heidt (MIN) – Brayden Yager (WPG) – Bradly Nadeau (CAR)
Easton Cowan (TOR) – Calum Ritchie (COL) – Beckett Sennecke (ANA)
Gavin McKenna (2026) – Berkly Catton (SEA) – Michael Misa (2025)
Porter Martone (2025) – Jett Luchanko (PHI) – Carson Rehkopf (SEA)
Matthew Wood (NSH)

Other notables: Tij Iginla, LW (UTA), Denver Barkey, C (PHI), Mathieu Cataford, RW (VGK), Colby Barlow, LW (WPG), Liam Greentree, RW (LAK), Malcolm Spence, LW (2025), Cole Beaudoin, C (UTA), Andrew Cristall, LW (WSH)

This is one of Canada’s deepest scoring groups in a few years – the fact we’re looking at a 50-goal scorer as a potential fourth-liner says it all. McKenna is a lock because of his dominant play in the WHL, and Michael Misa needs to be there for the goal-scoring exploits he’s putting on display. I also really like watching Rehkopf and Martone dominate with Brampton, so I hope they get a chance to stick together.

DEFENSEMEN

Sam Dickinson (SJS) – Oliver Bonk (PHI)
Tanner Molendyk (NSH) – Zayne Parekh (CGY)
Caden Price (SEA) – Sawyer Mynio (VAN)
Etienne Morin (CGY)

Other notables: Carter Yakemchuk, RHD (OTT), Matthew Schaefer, LHD (2025), Andrew Gibson, RHD (NSH)

The most notable omission, for sure, is Yakemchuk. Lots of people I’ve talked to aren’t convinced he’ll make Canada’s roster this year. He’s amazing with the puck, sure, but he’s still mistake-prone and can be a liability in his own zone. With Canada’s depth to choose from, they’ve got plenty of options to work with. That being said, Dickinson, Molendyk and Parekh alone make this group an absolute force.

GOALTENDERS

Carson Bjarnason (PHI)
Scott Ratzlaff (BUF)

Other notables: Joshua Ravensbergen (2025), Carter George (LAK)

It’s safe to assume Canada will go with the two-goalie setup like they’ve done plenty of times in the past – it gives them the flexibility to add any third they want in case of injury instead of bringing a guy along just to eat popcorn in the press box. Bjarnason has been lights out in the WHL this season and was Canada’s best goaltender at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Ratzlaff, meanwhile, is a workhorse who has shone in many of my viewings, and I think he could push for the starter’s gig with a good pre-tourney slate.

*#36 Gabe Perreault with #9 Ryan Leonard and #12 James Hagens (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

USA

FORWARDS

Gabe Perreault (NYR) – James Hagens (C) – Ryan Leonard (WSH)
Cole Eiserman (NYI) – Oliver Moore (CHI) – Trevor Connelly (VGK)
Quentin Musty (SJS) – Danny Nelson (NYI) – Brodie Ziemer (BUF)
Max Plante (DET) – Brandon Svoboda (SJS) – Teddy Stiga (NSH)
AJ Spellacy (CHI)

Other notables: Carey Terrance C, (ANA), William Whitelaw, RW (CBJ), Beckett Hendrickson, C (BOS), Tanner Adams, RW (Undrafted), Austin Burnevik, RW (ANA)

Man – that top nine is NUTS. So many scoring options available at their disposal. For starters, there’s no reason to split up Boston College first line – unless Will Smith shows up, of course. I thought Eiserman and Connelly played well off each other when they were together, too. Mix in a speedster who can hold the 200-foot game down in Moore and you’re set. It’ll be interesting to see what the team does with Terrance after making it as an alternate last year – I just don’t think he’s good enough for this squad right now.

DEFENSEMEN

Zeev Buium (MIN) – Drew Fortescue (NYR)
Cole Hutson (WSH) – EJ Emery (NYR)
Aram Minnetian (DAL) – Adam Kleber (BUF)
Paul Fischer (EDM)

Other notables: Zach Schulz, LHD (NYI), Logan Hensler, RHD (2025), Andrew Strathmann, LHD (CBJ)

I feel like there won’t be a ton of variation here. The top pairing is made up of two locks, and Hutson and Emery were excellent together with the USNTDP last year. Schulz could be an interesting pickup if the team feels it needs another defensive-minded blueliner, but they’ve got plenty of options there already.

GOALTENDING

Trey Augustine (DET)
Hampton Slukynsky (LAK)
Nick Kempf (WSH)

Other notables: Sam Hillebrandt (Undrafted)

I can’t see USA going away from this. Augustine has been the USA’s starter for the past two years and will be again this year. He might be the best goaltender in the tournament, too. Slukynsky is the second-best U-20 goalie in the NCAA and was outstanding at the WJSS. Kempf is a USNTDP product who has looked great internationally and is primed to become the starter in 2026 – this will be a great experience for him.

Colton Davies

*Brayden Yager (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Canada

FORWARDS

Riley Heidt (MIN) – Brayden Yager (WPG) – Tij Iginla (UHC)
Easton Cowan (TOR) – Calum Ritchie (COL) – Bradly Nadeau (CAR)
Gavin McKenna (2026) – Berkly Catton (SEA) – Michael Misa (2025)
Colby Barlow (WPG) – Jett Luchanko (PHI) – Andrew Cristall (NSH)
Matthew Wood (NSH)

Other notables: Denver Barkey, C (PHI), Mathieu Cataford, RW (VGK), Porter Martone (2025), Liam Greentree, RW (LAK), Malcolm Spence, LW (2025) Cayden Lindstrom, C (CBJ), Ethan Gauthier, RW (TB)

Do you want goal-scoring? That’s what this team is made of. This team has a bit of everything: snipers, playmakers, and grit. Barlow and Luchanko provide that “grit” that Canada brings every tournament. Then you have a superstar in McKenna, who, at just 16, should be heavily considered for this squad. He’s already proven that he can compete in the WHL against kids older than him. Misa has been dominant with Saginaw, so it’s hard not to want to showcase a top-10 talent.

DEFENSEMEN

Sam Dickinson (SJS) – Oliver Bonk (PHI)
Tanner Molendyk (NSH) – Zayne Parekh (CGY)
Dylan MacKinnon (NSH) – Sawyer Mynio (VAN)
Carter Yakemchuk (OTT)

Other notables: Etienne Morin, RHD (CGY), Matthew Schaefer, LHD (2025), Andrew Gibson, RHD (NSH), Caden Price, LHD (NSH)

I might lose some people here for my choice of MacKinnon, but he embodies the old-school style of play and defense Canada needs. It’s a no-brainer that the offensive-minded defensemen will play a significant role, but having defensive-minded and physical players like MacKinnon and Mynio can disrupt the play of other teams and provide that balance.

Carson Bjarnason (PHI)
Scott Ratzlaff (BUF)

Other notables: Joshua Ravensbergen (2025)

The WHL reigns supreme. Simple as that.

*Cole Eiserman (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

USA

FORWARDS

Gabe Perreault (NYR) – Oliver Moore (CHI) – Ryan Leonard (WSH)
Cole Eiserman (NYI) – James Hagens (2025 – Quentin Musty (SJS)
Carey Terrance (ANA) – Danny Nelson (NYI) – Trevor Connelly (VGK)
Teddy Stiga (NSH) – Jayson Shaugabay (TB) – Brodie Ziemer (BUF)
Beckett Hendrickson (BOS)

Other notables: Max Plante, LW (DET), William Whitelaw, RW (CBJ), Tanner Adams, RW (undrafted), AJ Spellacy (CHI), Brandon Svoboda (SJ)

This top nine will be able to compete with everyone. The Leonard and Perreault combo will once again try to bring this USA team to a gold medal. Moore provides his NASCAR-style speed, while Hagens will be able to provide offensive support in any situation they need from him.

DEFENSEMEN

Zeev Buium (MIN) – Drew Fortescue (NYR)
Cole Hutson (WSH) – EJ Emery (NYR)
Andrew Strathmann (CBJ) – Adam Kleber (BUF)
Aram Minnetian (DAL)

Other notables: Logan Hensler, RHD (2025), Paul Fischer, LHD (EDM)

It’s not a lot different from Steven’s defense pairings. I added Strathmann because I believe his offensive tendencies could provide the Americans some relief. A player like Minnetian would easily be able to slot into one of these pairings, too.

GOALTENDING

Trey Augustine (DET)
Hampton Slukynsky (LAK)
Nick Kempf (WSH)

Other notables: Sam Hillebrandt (Undrafted), Carsen Musser, (UTA)

Augustine has been solid between the pipes in international play, and I don’t see the Americans pulling away from him. Beyond that, it’s all status quo.

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