Canada’s World Junior team cut three players from its invitee roster on Thursday, sending forwards Marek Vanacker and Jake O’Brien, as well as defenseman Jackson Smith, back to their respective clubs.
Canada has cut:
Jake O’Brien
Marek Vanacker
Jackson Smith
#WorldJuniors
The news comes one day after Canada defeated Sweden 2-1 in an exhibition contest in Kitchener, Ont. Brady Martin scored both goals for Canada.
The two teams will face off again Saturday in London, Ont., before both flying to Minnesota ahead of the start of the tournament.
Read Steven Ellis’ recap of Wednesday’s game
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis reported Thursday that Canada still needs to cut another goalie. However, if Seattle Kraken forward Berkly Catton — who is currently injured — or San Jose Sharks’ defenseman Sam Dickinson don’t join the team, then they do not have to cut another skater.
As long as Canada doesn’t get Berkly Catton (currently injured) or Sam Dickinson, Canada doesn’t have to cut another skater.
Would only be a goalie left to go.
Canada has cut:
Jake O’Brien
Marek Vanacker
Jackson Smith
#WorldJuniors
O’Brien, taken No. 8 overall by the Kraken in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, has 11 goals and 35 assists for 46 points in 27 regular-season games with the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs. He finished the 2024-25 campaign with 32 goals and 66 assists for 98 points in 66 games.
As for Vanacker, a 2024 first-round pick for the Chicago Blackhawks, also plays on the Bulldogs with O’Brien. He’s scored 26 goals and 15 assists for 41 points in 26 games with the Bulldogs. During an injury-shortened 2024-25, he scored 24 goals and 18 assists for 42 points in 45 games.
Meanwhile, Smith, a 2025 first-round pick for the Columbus Blue Jackets, has three goals and six assists for nine points in 14 games with Penn State University in the NCAA. In 2024-25, he played 68 regular-season games with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, where he finished with 11 goals and 43 assists for 54 points.
