Prince George Cougars centre Riley Heidt got the news he did not want to hear Friday in Ottawa.
The 19-year-old team captain did not make the cut for Canada’s world junior team.
In his last attempt to crack the Team Canada roster before he ages out for 19U IIHF World Junior Championship, the Saskatoon native was one of five forwards released following a four-day tryout camp in Ottawa.
As expected, Saskatoon Blades defenceman Tanner Molendyk, a 19-year-old native of McBride, made the national team, which includes 14 forwards, eight defencemen and three goaltenders.
Molendyk, a first-round pick of the Nashville Predators in 2023, made the world junior team last year but broke his wrist in the fnal pre-tournament game and was unable to play in the tournament.
Other Western Hockey League players cut from the roster Friday were forward Andrew Cristall of the Kelowna Rockets and Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Scott Ratzlaff.
Hockey Canada also released forwards Beckett Senecke, Matthew Wood, and Denver Barkey, as well as defencemen Zayne Parekh and Cameron Allen.
In addition to Molendyk, seven other WHL players made the Canadian team roster, including forwards Tanner Howe (Calgary Hitmen), Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs) Brayden Yager (Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers), as well as defencemen Caden Price (Kelowna Rockets) and Sawyer Mynio (Seattle Thunderbirds) and goaltender Carson Bjarnason (Brandon Wheat Kings).
“We are excited to unveil the 25 players who have earned the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Juniors, as we believe we have assembled a competitive and talented roster that will give us the best opportunity to win a gold medal on home ice,” said Hockey Canada manager Peter Anholt.
“While there were many difficult decisions to make at selection camp, we want to congratulate our players, and we look forward to them wearing the Maple Leaf with pride in Ottawa.”
Canada faces Finland in its opening game Dec. 26.
The Canadians will also play three pre-tournament games – Dec. 19 against Switzerland, Dec. 21 against Sweden and Dec. 23 against Czechia.
Team Canada roster
Forwards: Gavin McKenna, Bradly Nadeau, Brayden Yager, Jett Luchanko, Luca Pinelli, Berkly Catton, Carson Rehkpof, Ethan Gauthier, Calum Ritchie, Porter Martone, Tanner Howe, Cole Beaudoin, Easton Cowan, Mathieu Cataford
Defencemen: Andrew Gibson, Sam Dickinson, Caden Price, Oliver Bonk, Tanner Molendyk, Sawyer Mynio, Beau Akey, Matthew Schaefer
Goaltenders: Jack Ivankovic, Carter George, Carson Bjnarnason
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