Hitmen's Howe, Hurricanes' Yager make Team Canada world junior roster

Left, Calgary Hitmen forward Tanner Howe crosses centre ice in a game against the Prince Albert Raiders on Dec. 6. (Calgary Hitmen/WHL) Right, Brayden Yager takes a shot during the first day of the Canadian World Junior Hockey Championships selection camp in Ottawa on December 10, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

Team Canada announced its 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship roster on Friday, including three players on southern Alberta WHL teams.

Tanner Howe, of the Calgary Hitmen, Brayden Yager, of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Gavin McKenna, of the Medicine Hat Tigers, were among the 14 forwards that will be donning the maple leaf later this month.

Both players were recently acquired by their respective WHL teams through trade.

Howe, a second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024, has registered nine goals and seven assists in 16 games this season.

That includes three goals and six assists with the Hitmen since he was acquired from the Regina Pats in November.

Yager makes the national junior squad for the second year in a row after registering two goals and three assists for Canada through five games in last year’s tournament.

The 19-year-old has 12 goals and 22 assists through 23 WHL games this season. He has four points – one goal and three assists – in the two games he has suited up with the Hurricanes since being acquired from the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Yager was selected 14th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who then traded him to the Winnipeg Jets in August.

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna also made the cut as a 16-year-old.

McKenna has 19 goals and 41 assists through 30 games with the Tigers this year. Over the past year, he has won gold for Canada at both the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship and 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

“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,” Peter Anholt, a member of Team Canada’s management group, said.

“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.”

Calgary Flames defensive prospect Zayne Parekh was invited to selection camp but did not make the cut for the final roster.

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship begins in Ottawa on Boxing Day with Canada taking on Finland.