Five young stars we’d like to see play for Team Canada at the World Championship

Five young stars we’d like to see play for Team Canada at the World Championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the 2025-26 NHL season finished for half of the NHL, the attention for those eliminated players turns to the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship.

Although it’s not regarded in the same light as the Olympics or even the World Juniors Championship, for that matter, it’s a way for players to represent their country and either continue their strong seasons or attempt to correct a poor one and rebuild their confidence.

With the return of best-on-best international hockey, NHL players are using the World Championship to leave their mark on their country’s management staff, in hopes that it leaves a positive impact when they make selections for the World Cup of Hockey in 2028.

Today, we’ll look at five players we’d like to see play for Team Canada at the World Championship:

Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard had a strong case and probably should have made Team Canada’s Olympic roster. But an injury and the decision to bring in veterans meant that Bedard watched his country lose in the gold-medal game from home.

Bedard’s track record with Canada is very strong, and he could add to it by making himself available for the World Championships. The 20-year-old has participated in this event previously, scoring five goals and eight points in 10 games, but if he joined the team this year, he would be a focal point of their offense.

It would also allow Bedard to demonstrate further why he needs to not only be on Canada’s next best on best roster, but also a prominent figure in the forward group.

He finished the 2025-26 season with 30 goals and 75 points in 69 games, but prior to his injury, the former 2023 first overall pick was on pace for over 40 goals and 100 points.

MORE: The Sky Remains The Limit For Blackhawks' Connor Bedard

Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders

Matthew Schaefer, like Bedard, was a final cut by Team Canada for this year's Olympics, and he will be a vital piece of their future teams.

Schaefer doesn’t have as much experience representing Canada as some other star players. In his international career, Schaefer won gold at the U-17s, U-18s, and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but was injured in just his second game at the 2025 World Junior Championship.

The 2026 World Championships would allow Schaefer to relive the pressure of wearing the Maple Leaf on his chest and also further showcase how outstanding a defenseman he is by leading the Canadian blueline.

MORE: How Islanders' Peter DeBoer Can Elevate Matthew Schaefer's Game Even Higher

Gavin McKenna, LW, NCAA

Gavin McKenna, for the most part, has answered everyone’s questions about his game and appears to be a near lock to be the first overall pick of the 2026 NHL draft. If McKenna plays for Team Canada at the World Championships and performs well, even his harshest critics would have a difficult time making a case against him.

The 18-year-old has dominated the WHL, NCAA, and the world juniors, but performing against men at an international event is a whole other animal, one McKenna has the confidence and skill to do so.

McKenna is a dynamic offensive player, and with confirmed centers like John Tavares, Mark Scheifele, Robert Thomas, and Ryan O’Reilly, he would be paired with veterans who can guide him while matching his skill level.

MORE: 2026 NHL Draft rankings: Can Chase Reid's offensive upside overshadow other deficiencies?

Michael Misa, C, San Jose Sharks

When asked about his summer plans, Michael Misa didn’t indicate whether he would play for Team Canada at the World Championships or not. Still, this event would be an excellent opportunity to showcase his talent to the hockey world.

Despite playing very limited minutes with the San Jose Sharks, Misa displayed two-way versatility and puck-handling skills, recording nine goals and 21 points in 45 games, all while averaging just 12:49 of ice time.

The Sharks will want to be more than playoff competitors next season. The Pacific Division is wide open, and if the Sharks can have another season of rapid growth, the division is there for the taking.

For that to happen, they’ll need Misa to keep developing. Playing at the World Championships and performing well would give the 19-year-old confidence, but could also open the eyes of Ryan Warsofsky and the Sharks’ coaching staff.

Alexis Lafreniere, LW/RW, New York Rangers

Despite being a highly touted prospect and a proven performer with Team Canada at the junior levels, Alexis Lafreniere hasn’t participated in the World Championships. That’s partly because the New York Rangers usually go deep into the playoffs, but for the second season in a row, they have missed the post-season.

This would allow Lafreniere to continue building on the momentum he picked up as the 2025-26 regular season ended. The 24-year-old finished the season with his second 20-goal campaign and tied his career high of 57 points.

MORE: Is Rangers’ Lafreniere’s Late Surge Real Or A Result Of Little Pressure?

Going forward, Lafreniere is expected to be a focal point of the Rangers’ offense. Playing alongside experienced veterans on a global stage could give the 2020 first overall pick additional confidence and allow him to work with and learn from those star players.

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