Why did Canada and the USA underperform at the World Junior Championships

WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? This is a simple answer! The selected kids are already signed or drafted to play in the NHL. What is their primary focus? NOT TO SUSTAIN AN INJURY POSSIBLY COSTING THEM AN NHL CONTRACT/CAREER, WINNING OR LOSING TAKES A BACK SEAT TO NHL DREAMS.

Drafted or Under NHL Contract

NHL teams already draft most Canadian players at this Tournament, and many are signed to entry-level contracts, though a small number remain draft-eligible.

From available information (including draft affiliations of the projected lineup):

• Drafted prospects:

  • Carter Bear (DET) – drafted by Detroit Red Wings

  • Cole Beaudoin (UTA) – drafted by Utah Mammoth

  • Braeden Cootes (VAN) – drafted by Vancouver Canucks

  • Caleb Desnoyers (UTA) – drafted by Utah Mammoth

  • Liam Greentree (LAK) – drafted by the Los Angeles Kings

  • Michael Hage (MTL) – drafted by Montreal Canadiens

  • Brady Martin (NSH) – drafted by Nashville Predators and signed to an entry-level contract 

  • Jett Luchanko (PHI) – drafted by Philadelphia Flyers

  • Porter Martone (PHI) – drafted by Flyers

  • Zayne Parekh (CGY) – drafted by Calgary Flames

  • Harrison Brunicke (PIT) – drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins

• Likely also drafted or signed:
  Other Canadian roster members are predominantly NHL prospects belonging to a club, even if draft positions aren’t listed here (often CHL or NCAA players with NHL rights).

Approximate count (Canada):
20–22 of 25 players are NHL-drafted or signed (most of the roster).
(This includes those under NHL rights and signed ELCs; the remainder are draft-eligible players for the 2026 draft.)

Team USA (2026 World Juniors)

Total players on roster: 25 (final Tournament roster submitted)

Drafted or Under NHL Contract

Based on reports and roster previews:

• NHL-drafted prospects: The US squad is heavily NHL-drafted – many players are already NHL prospects.

  • According to camp roster data, 25 of 28 invitees to the final camp were already NHL-drafted before cuts.

• Most of these are expected to make the final 25-man Tournament roster: players such as James Hagens (BOS), Teddy Stiga (NSH), Cole Eiserman (NYI), Brodie Ziemer (BUF), Cole Hutson (WSH), Logan Hensler (OTT), Adam Kleber (BUF), and others are all drafted NHL prospects.

• Approximate count (USA):
  22–24 of 25 players are drafted by NHL clubs (nearly the whole roster).
  (Some may still be unsigned and finishing college or junior, but they hold NHL rights.)

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