Hockey Canada announced the cuts of center Jake O’Brien (Kraken), defenseman Jackson Smith (Blue Jackets), and winger Marek Vanacker (Blackhawks) from their preliminary roster for the 2026 World Junior Championship after a pre-tournament exhibition against Sweden. O’Brien, a standout with the Brantford Bulldogs, led the OHL in assists, while Smith struggled in his performance. Vanacker’s inclusion was contingent on the Sharks’ decision regarding Michael Misa, who was cleared to participate. These cuts bring the roster down to 14 forwards and eight defensemen, with one of the three goalies likely to be cut next.
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Canada Removes O’Brien, Smith, Vanacker from WJC Roster
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