Hockey Canada Reveals 2026 IIHF World Championship Roster
Even with the NHL playoffs in full swing, international hockey is about to steal some of the spotlight with the start of the 2026 IIHF World Championship in mid-May.
Hockey Canada, the favorite to be crowned champions, announced its roster ahead of the biggest annual international ice hockey tournament on Friday morning.
Canada revealed the 23-player group that will represent the nation at the 2026 Worlds, which runs from May 15 to May 31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. The roster includes three goaltenders, eight defencemen, and 12 forwards, with notable absences pertaining to teams still playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs for their NHL franchises.
12 of Canada's 23 players for the tournament have prior experience at the World Championship, including forwards John Tavares and Macklin Celebrini.
Ryan O'Reilly and Mark Scheifele are two other high-profile veterans joining Team Canada, alongside NHL staples such as Evan Bouchard and Morgan Rielly, both defensemen, and netminder Cam Talbot, headlining the goaltending rotation.
Canada's management group tasked with building the 2026 roster included former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and former NHL forward Jason Spezza, with support from current Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, among others.
Meet the 23 players who will wear the at #MensWorlds!
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 8, 2026
Voici les 23 joueurs qui porteront la au #MondialMasculin!
ROSTER: https://t.co/sfrs3l0ZKL
FORMATION : https://t.co/MfjPGLV9Nnpic.twitter.com/NUFFnwTn9t
Dubas addressed the roster building in the announcement made by Hockey Canada.
"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," Dubas said. "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."
Canada will hold pre-tournament practices in Paris before exhibition games against France and Hungary. The team opens tournament play against Sweden on May 15.
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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 10:06 AM.