Catton was named player of the game in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Sweden. McKenna received the honour on Monday. Canada’s second youngest player also had a big night against Czechia. Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer produced a pair of assists. The draft-eligible dynamo insists he’s not doing anything special. ‘Hey Baby’ by DJ Otzi was used in 2018 when […]
Catton was named player of the game in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Sweden. McKenna received the honour on Monday.
Canada’s second youngest player also had a big night against Czechia. Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer produced a pair of assists. The draft-eligible dynamo insists he’s not doing anything special.
‘Hey Baby’ by DJ Otzi was used in 2018 when Canada won gold in Buffalo. It was also used in 2021 in Edmonton before COVID led to the postponement of the event.
Scratches: Cataford (0-0)*, Akey (0-0)*, Bjarnason (9/10)*
What does George need to tidy up prior to Boxing Day?
McKenna, who turned 17-years-old last week, is the youngest player on Team Canada, but has made it clear he expects to produce offence at the World Juniors. When you’re the projected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, you have high expectations.
“He’s an unbelievable playmaker,” Nadeau raved. “It’s really fun to play with him. Like, you’ll be on the ice out there and you think he didn’t see you or something, and the next thing you know the puck’s on your tape. When you play with him you just have to be ready at all times.”
“It’s a tough tournament,” Favreau said. “It’s a 19-year-old tournament, but the way that he’s been playing, he’s demonstrated that he can play at this level.”
What’s the next level?
“I’ve been sticking to the way I play,” the 17-year-old said. “Two-way defenceman, you know, I want to be able to show that defensive side and offensive side whenever I need it.”
“That’s what our team’s been talking about,” McKenna said. “We’ve been wanting to get to the net. That’s how we’ve scored quite a few of our goals is battling in front. For me to take that advice, it’s helped me.”
The first goal was off a rebound and the second on a deflection.
“Just finishing our plays,” Ritchie said. “It’s just execution. A couple plays just inches off. It’s just little things, but we’ll clean them up.”
“There’s been a few ideas thrown around,” George said. “I love, ‘Hey Baby.’ Go back to that one, I loved that one. It was my favourite growing up but we’ll see what we choose.”
Ritchie, Cowan and Nadeau combined for six goals in the three pre-tournament games, but they are still developing chemistry.
“They clogged up the neutral zone,” said Cameron. “They were waiting for us to turn pucks over and we did early on. We gave them a short rink and we ended up chasing too much. But in the third period we got pucks behind and it was a whole different game.”
Among defenceman, only Jay Bouwmeester (2000, 2001) and Chris Joseph (1987) made Team Canada at a younger age than Schaefer, who was born on Sept. 5, 2007.
“He’s been unreal this whole time,” said Catton. “His skating. His IQ. He’s a gamer, really. He just loves having the puck on his stick and making plays.”
Schaefer is moving up draft rankings lightning quick. He could be the No. 1 pick in June at the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles..
Canada’s top line got on the board for the third straight game with Ritchie setting up a Nadeau goal in the first period.
“The fact that we can build through adversity, I think, is going to help us later on in the tournament,” Favreau said. “A ‘Hold Fast’ mentality is our theme.”
ContentId(1.2225250): Phenom McKenna gets monkey off his back in break-out performance
It was inspired by the team’s bonding trip and training camp held at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, Ont.
It was inspired by the team’s bonding trip and training camp held at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, Ont.
It was inspired by the team’s bonding trip and training camp held at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, Ont.
It was inspired by the team’s bonding trip and training camp held at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, Ont.
It was inspired by the team’s bonding trip and training camp held at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, Ont.
It was inspired by the team’s bonding trip and training camp held at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, Ont.
It was inspired by the team’s bonding trip and training camp held at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, Ont.
“I think it was four,” said Nadeau, who plays for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. “He didn’t tell me but I think I felt four.”
Even Catton acknowledged the significance of the performance against Czechia.
Nadeau (1-3) – Ritchie (1-5) – Cowan (4-1)
McKenna (2-0) – Catton (1-0) – Pinelli (1-1)*
Rehkopf (0-1) – Luchanko (0-0) – Gauthier (0-1)
Howe (0-1) – Yager (1-0) – Martone (0-2)*
Beaudoin (0-1)
—
Although it sounds like the favourite right now is ‘Live is Life’ by Opus.
“I’m not sure if they redo songs, but if they did that’s what I’d want,” he said.