BLAZERS CONTINUE TO HAVE PRESENCE AT WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
As Boxing Day approaches, we hockey fans around the world eagerly anticipate the puck drop for the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ontario.
Over the past decade, the Blazers have become a steady pipeline of talent for the World Juniors, with 14 players proudly representing their nations between 2014 and 2025.
This year, Blazers defenceman Matteo Kočí will once again suit up for Czechia, marking his second appearance on the international stage. Last year, Kočí played in all seven games for Czechia, helping secure a bronze medal. While Blazers defenceman Harrison Brunicke (Pittsburgh Penguins) was also selected to represent Canada, but an injury will keep him out of the tournament.
Looking back a year ago to 2024, Fraser Minten (Toronto Maple Leafs) captained Team Canada at the World Juniors. Although Minten had already been traded to the Saskatoon Blades for Jordan Keller and draft picks, his connection to Kamloops remained strong—he had spent seven games with the Blazers during the 2023-24 campaign notching 10 points before the trade out East.
The 2023 and 2022 tournaments were a golden era for Logan Stankoven (Dallas Stars). Representing Canada both years, Stankoven dominated with an impressive 21 points across 14 games and claimed back-to-back gold medals. His electrifying performance included playing a key role in Canada’s overtime-winning goal in 2023.
Joining Stankoven in 2023 was Caedan Bankier (Minnesota Wild). Bankier’s World Junior experience was complemented by a standout WHL season in which he tallied a career-high 85 points in 57 games.
In 2021, Connor Zary (Calgary Flames) donned the Canadian jersey, contributing two assists in seven games. That same year, Inaki Baragano represented Switzerland, serving as an alternate captain and adding a point in four games. Meanwhile, Dylan Garand (New York Rangers) emerged as Canada’s netminder in both 2021 and 2022. In 2022, Garand’s stellar 6-0-0 record, with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage, led Canada to gold. His efforts earned him WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year honours.
The Blazers’ presence at the World Juniors goes back even further. Connor Ingram who is now with the Utah Hockey Club, stood between the pipes for Canada in 2017, earning a silver medal. That same year, Latvia’s Rudolfs Balcers contributed two points in six games, while Ondrej Vala represented Czechia, making 2017 a year with three Blazers alumni on the international stage.
In 2016, Slovakia’s roster featured two Blazers in Patrik Maier and Jiří Smejkal. Maier, who played 18 games with Kamloops before being traded to Moose Jaw that season, represented his country alongside Smejkal. Interestingly, the two players were traded for each other—Smejkal arrived in Kamloops in exchange for Maier. Smejkal left his mark at the tournament, tallying two goals and four points in five games.
The Blazers’ influence over the last 10 years extends back to Michael Fora’s appearance for Switzerland in 2015. Fora logged two points in six games and showcased his skills throughout the WHL season, racking up 32 points in 60 games with Kamloops.
Each of these players has left a unique imprint on the World Junior Championships. Their journeys are a testament to the Blazers’ dedication to developing world-class talent and ensuring that the Blazers’ name remains synonymous with hockey excellence on the global stage. From Dylan Garand’s game-stopping saves to Logan Stankoven’s electrifying goals, the Blazers’ contributions to the World Juniors will be remembered.