Canada Builds Star-Studded Roster for 2026 IIHF World Championship with Celebrini, McKenna, and NHL Veterans
By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief of Archysport
Switzerland will host one of the most anticipated editions of the IIHF Men’s World Championship in recent memory next month, as Hockey Canada has assembled a roster packed with NHL talent, headlined by 19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini and top 2026 draft prospect Gavin McKenna. The additions, confirmed by TSN insider Darren Dreger on Monday, signal Canada’s intent to reclaim gold after falling short in the 2026 Winter Olympics final.
Verified Roster Additions: Celebrini and McKenna Lead the Charge
Macklin Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks’ 19-year-old alternate captain, will make his senior international debut after a historic rookie NHL season. Celebrini became the youngest player in Sharks franchise history to record 100+ points in a single campaign, finishing with 45 goals and 70 assists (115 points) in 82 games. His 115 points set a new Sharks rookie record, surpassing the previous mark of 104 held by Pat Falloon since 1992. The North Vancouver native similarly became the first teenager in franchise history to score 30+ goals in a season, reaching the milestone in a 7-5 win over the Montreal Canadiens on March 3, 2026.
Celebrini’s international résumé already includes standout performances at the 2024 World Juniors (where he led Canada in scoring) and the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he finished second in tournament scoring with 10 points in six games—just one point behind captain Connor McDavid. His ability to dominate against elite competition at such a young age has made him a cornerstone of Canada’s 2026 World Championship roster.
Joining Celebrini is Gavin McKenna, the 18-year-old Penn State forward and projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. McKenna spent the 2025-26 season honing his skills in the NCAA, where he tied for fifth in the country with 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists) in 38 games. His efforts earned him a top-10 finalist spot for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey’s highest individual honor. McKenna also starred for Canada at the 2026 World Juniors, finishing second in tournament scoring with 14 points in seven games—just one point behind Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Gage.
Team Canada has added some big names to its Men’s World roster. Celebrini, McKenna, Scheifele, Barzal all committed. Morgan Rielly has agreed to go to Switzerland as well. More to come.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 27, 2026
Veteran NHL Talent Bolsters Canada’s Depth
The roster also includes established NHL stars like New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. Barzal, 26, recorded 19 goals and 72 points in 81 games for the Islanders this season, though his team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018. This will mark Barzal’s first international appearance since winning silver with Canada at the 2022 World Championship in Finland.
Rielly, a veteran of 11 NHL seasons, brings leadership and offensive prowess from the blue line. The 32-year-old defenseman has been a key part of the Maple Leafs’ core for over a decade, though his 2025-26 season was cut short by a shoulder injury in late March. His availability for the World Championship remains subject to medical clearance, but Dreger’s report suggests he is expected to participate.
Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, another confirmed addition, provides Canada with a proven two-way forward who has consistently been among the NHL’s top scorers. Scheifele, 33, recorded 30 goals and 65 points in 78 games this season, helping the Jets secure a playoff berth in the Western Conference.
What Which means for Canada’s Gold Medal Hopes
Canada enters the 2026 IIHF World Championship as one of the favorites, alongside traditional powers like Finland, Sweden, and the United States. The tournament, which runs from May 9-25 in Zürich and Fribourg, Switzerland, will feature 16 teams competing for gold. Canada last won the World Championship in 2023, defeating Finland 5-2 in the final in Tampere.
The addition of Celebrini and McKenna gives Canada a dynamic one-two punch at center, with the former’s playmaking and scoring ability complementing the latter’s speed and offensive creativity. Their inclusion also reflects a broader trend of Hockey Canada integrating younger talent into its senior national team program, following the success of players like Connor Bedard and Dylan Cozens in recent years.
For Slovakia, Canada’s Group A opponent, the strengthened Canadian roster presents a formidable challenge. Slovakia, which finished fourth at the 2026 Winter Olympics, will face Canada in the tournament opener on May 10. The game could serve as an early test for Slovakia’s ambitions, particularly if Canada deploys Celebrini and McKenna on the same line—a possibility that has already generated buzz among hockey analysts.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Celebrini vs. McKenna: The two young stars could form one of the most exciting duos in the tournament, with Celebrini’s NHL experience and McKenna’s draft-eligible status creating an intriguing dynamic. How they mesh with veteran players like Scheifele and Barzal will be a focal point.
- Rielly’s Health: The Maple Leafs defenseman’s participation is not yet guaranteed, but if he is cleared to play, his offensive contributions from the blue line could be a game-changer for Canada.
- Goaltending Battle: Hockey Canada has not yet named its goaltenders for the tournament, but the competition for the starting role is expected to be fierce. Potential candidates include Edmonton Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner and Florida Panthers backup Spencer Knight, both of whom have prior international experience.
- Slovakia’s Response: With Canada loading up on talent, Slovakia’s ability to counter with its own stars—such as NHL forwards Tomas Tatar and Juraj Slafkovský—will be critical in Group A play.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The 2026 IIHF World Championship will follow a familiar format, with 16 teams divided into two groups of eight. The top four teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, with the knockout rounds determining the medalists. Canada is placed in Group A alongside Slovakia, Sweden, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Denmark, and Kazakhstan.
Canada’s schedule in the group stage is as follows (all times local to Switzerland, CEST/UTC+2):
| Date | Opponent | Time (CEST) |
|---|---|---|
| May 10 | Slovakia | 20:20 |
| May 11 | Germany | 20:20 |
| May 13 | Latvia | 16:20 |
| May 14 | Norway | 20:20 |
| May 16 | Denmark | 16:20 |
| May 17 | Kazakhstan | 20:20 |
| May 19 | Sweden | 20:20 |
The quarterfinals are scheduled for May 22, with the semifinals on May 24 and the medal games on May 25.
How to Follow the Tournament
Fans can catch all the action from the 2026 IIHF World Championship through the following official channels:
- TV/Streaming: TSN (Canada), NHL Network (U.S.), and the IIHF’s official YouTube channel will broadcast select games.
- Live Updates: Follow the IIHF’s official Twitter account and Hockey Canada’s website for real-time scores and highlights.
- Stats and Standings: The IIHF’s official statistics portal provides detailed game-by-game data.
Key Takeaways
- Macklin Celebrini and Gavin McKenna, two of the NHL’s brightest young stars, will make their senior international debuts for Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
- Celebrini set a San Jose Sharks rookie record with 115 points this season, while McKenna was a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award at Penn State.
- Veteran NHL players like Mathew Barzal, Morgan Rielly, and Mark Scheifele add experience and depth to Canada’s roster.
- Canada opens the tournament against Slovakia on May 10, with Group A play running through May 19.
- The tournament runs from May 9-25 in Zürich and Fribourg, Switzerland, with the medal games on May 25.
What’s Next
Hockey Canada is expected to announce its full roster, including goaltenders, in the coming days. The team will hold a pre-tournament camp in Switzerland before the opening faceoff against Slovakia on May 10. For fans, the countdown to puck drop is officially underway—with Canada’s blend of youth and experience poised to make a run at gold.
Will this star-studded roster deliver Canada’s first World Championship title since 2023? Share your predictions in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Archysport for all the latest updates from the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
