Team Canada head coach Dale Hunter confirmed that forward Michael Misa is good to go for tonight and will be the top-line centre in tonight’s opening game against Czechia.
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He also said that forward Carter Bear and defenceman Keaton Verhoeff are tonight’s healthy scratches.
Per TSN’s Mark Masters, Hunter declined to name tonight’s starter but Carter George was the first player off the ice at the morning skate.
Misa did not play in the third period of Canada’s final pre-tournament game against Denmark on Tuesday night as he exited with an injury.
He had two assists in the game before leaving the game.
Misa, the 2025 second-overall pick who is playing with the San Jose Sharks this season, missed a month earlier this season due to an ankle injury. He returned to play on Dec. 5 as he played two games with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda before leaving for the Canadian World Junior camp.
The 18-year-old has one goal and two assists in seven games with the Sharks this season.
Bear, 19, has 13 goals and 27 points in 23 games with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips this season. He was drafted 13th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in June’s draft.
Verhoeff, 17, is a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. The Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., native has four goals and 11 points in 16 games with the University of North Dakota this season.
Team Canada has finished fifth two years in a row at the World Juniors. After tonight’s game against Czechia, Canada will face Latvia on Saturday and Denmark on Monday before wrapping up round-robin play on Dec. 31 against Finland.