The World Junior Championship always offers an intriguing glimpse into the NHL’s future. But for the Vancouver Canucks, this year’s edition comes with far more riding on it.

Armed with two first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft — one of which could land near the very top of the board — the organization and its beloved followers have an added incentive to monitor this year’s tournament closely. While much of the focus will fall on recently drafted forward Braeden Cootes (Canada), he is far from the only reason Canucks fans should be invested. This year’s event features a deep group of draft-eligible talent, many of whom project in first-round territory and could factor into the franchise’s next wave of youth.

Here are the players worth watching through a Canucks lens at the 2026 World Juniors.

Top of the board

Gavin McKenna, Canada
Position: LW | Height: 6’0″| Weight: 170 lbs | Age: 18 (December 20, 2007)

Gavin McKenna enters this year’s tournament with more eyes on him than any other player in this class. Once viewed as the crown jewel of the 2026 draft, the Whitehorse native now carries something to prove after questions began to surface during his transition to the NCAA.

McKenna is expected to play a significant role for Team Canada, and this tournament represents a prime opportunity to remind scouts why his offensive ceiling remains so tantalizing. His vision, creativity, and ability to find seams quickly are considered elite. And for Canucks fans, he’s a name worth watching not only for a potential gold medal run, but as a possible franchise-altering forward should Vancouver land a top pick.

Ivar Stenberg, Sweden
Position: LW | Height: 6’0″| Weight: 181 lbs | Age: 18 (September 30, 2007)

If McKenna is trying to reassert himself, Ivar Stenberg is pushing hard to leapfrog him as that unanimous top forward. The Swedish winger has been one of the biggest risers in this draft class and enters the tournament with genuine momentum.

Stenberg brings high-end skill, but what separates him is his competitiveness and completeness. He impacts the game in all three zones and doesn’t rely solely on offence to drive value. Of course, scoring at a potential historic high in the SHL, there is tons to be excited about in the offensive department.

For fans who may already be locked in on McKenna, this tournament could be the one that changes minds.

Keaton Verhoeff, Canada
Position: RD | Height: 6’4″| Weight: 212 lbs | Age: 17 (June 19, 2008)

Rankings continue to swing back and forth, but the consensus among most pundits has Keaton Verhoeff as this year’s top-ranked defender. Considering the names on Canada’s backend, the 17-year-old may not see high minutes throughout this tournament. But even making Team Canada alone speaks volumes about his trajectory.

Verhoeff isn’t flashy, but he plays a composed, efficient game and projects as a versatile, high-floor defender. If rounding out an already budding blueline is what the Canucks are after, Verhoeff’s two-way game is a safe bet.

High-ranked climbers

Chase Reid, USA
Position: RD | Height: 6’2″| Weight: 187 lbs | Age: 17 (December 30, 2007)

While Verhoeff has held his spot, Chase Reid has surged up draft boards with remarkable speed. The right-shot defenceman has been outstanding in the OHL, combining strong skating with vision and offensive instincts that translate well at pace. Sitting second among OHL defenders in scoring, Reid has quietly worked himself into top-10 — and potentially top-five — territory of the 2026 draft.

For a Canucks organization that values mobile defenders who can move the puck, Reid’s tournament play could make him a name to circle early.

Carson Carels, Canada
Position: LD | Height: 6’2″| Weight: 194 lbs | Age: 17 (June 23, 2008)

Another defender worth watching is Carson Carels, who, like Verhoeff, earned a spot on Team Canada at just 17. His role may be limited, but his ability to handle heavy minutes at the junior level, sometimes north of 30 minutes, suggests he won’t be overwhelmed.

Carels skates well, plays with confidence, and has shown the ability to bring high-end power-play quarterback potential. If the team’s three-game preliminary stretch showed us anything, it’s that Carson Carels is ready to make a statement and boost his draft stock heading into the back half of the season.

Mid-round targets

Alberts Smits, Latvia
Position: LD | Height: 6’3″| Weight: 205 lbs | Age: 18 (December 2, 2007)

Latvia’s Alberts Smits faces a tall task as Latvia’s top defenceman, but he’s built for it. Standing 6-foot-3 and already accustomed to playing against men in Finland’s Liiga, Smits brings a steady two-way presence that doesn’t always show up on the scoresheet. He moves the puck well, defends with authority, and should log significant minutes throughout the tournament. For evaluators, this is a player you’ll need to watch live to fully appreciate, as the stats may not show up well in this type of environment.

Adam Novotny, Czechia
Position: LW | Height: 6’1″| Weight: 205 lbs | Age: 18 (November 13, 2007)

Adam Novotny, already highlighted on our draft eligibility list here at CanucksArmy, will be a key player for Czechia. The 6-foot-1 winger is enjoying a strong rookie season in the OHL and plays a mature, two-way game built on skating, effort, and a reliable release. We’ve really liked what he’s brought to his North American game, and this tournament should allow him to showcase his ability to contribute in all situations as a big-role player on this Czech roster.

Viggo Björck, Sweden
Position: C | Height: 5’10″| Weight: 172 lbs | Age: 17 (March 12, 2008)

Having him in the “mid-round targets” section may be seen as controversial. Once considered a top prospect among this crop, Viggo Björck – brother of current Canucks prospect Wilson – has seen his stock drop since day one of the season. But it’s not because of his skillset.

Despite being an undersized forward, Björck is dynamic with the puck and capable of taking over games in short bursts. Look no further than his performances against Canada during the preliminary round. He’s going to be a vital fixture to Sweden’s offensive punch, and this tournament could set the stage for a massive revitalization in his stock. Given the amount of skill, combined with the brotherly connection, he’s a player that Canucks fans should keep a close tab on.

Oliver Suvanto, Finland
Position: C | Height: 6’3″| Weight: 209 lbs | Age: 17 (September 3, 2008)

The Finnish centre isn’t stealing highlight packages, and it’s unlikely this Finnish team will give the young pivot an enormous platform to work off. But he’s a highly responsible and powerful centre whose game focuses on the defensive side more than most. His defensive awareness, strength, and projectable middle-six traits make him an interesting option in the mid-ranges of the first, particularly for teams prioritizing structure down the middle.

Juho Piiparinen, Finland
Position: RD | Height: 6’3″| Weight: 203 lbs | Age: 17 (August 10, 2008)

Juho Piiparinen offers a similar appeal to Suvanto, but from the back end. The right-shot defender isn’t going to wow with offence, but he skates well, processes the game with a strong hockey mind, and won’t stand out with many poor plays. His upside may be limited, but his floor is appealing. The best way to describe Juho Piiparinen’s game is simple: he’s just solid.

Back-half options

Tomas Chrenko, Slovakia
Position: C | Height: 5’11″| Weight: 170 lbs | Age: 18 (November 2, 2007)

Tomas Chrenko represents one of the more creative options likely to be available later in the draft. The smaller Slovakian centre plays with flair, soft hands, and deceptive skating, making him a difficult matchup despite his frame. Already playing against men, he should be a fixture for Slovakia and a player whose value could rise with a strong showing.

William Håkansson, Sweden
Position: LD | Height: 6’4″| Weight: 207 lbs | Age: 18 (October 8, 2007)

William Håkansson rounds out the list as a stabilizing defensive presence for Sweden. At 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, he brings size, composure, and experience against men in the SHL. He won’t dominate offensively, but he plays a reliable, structured game and should see top-four minutes throughout the tournament.

The World Junior Championship is rarely a definitive measure of talent. But it does offer a solid piece of the puzzle.

With two first-round picks in hand and one potentially near the very top of the board, the Canucks brass and its followers should be watching this tournament with a fine-toothed comb.

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