Connor Bedard among 25 players named to Canada’s 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship roster – Sportsnet.ca

Connor Bedard, the Canadian phenom who recently became the youngest player in WHL history to score 50 goals in a season, is among the headliners on the list of players Hockey Canada unveiled will compete on its men’s U18 team at the 2022 World Championships.

Bedard is the only player on the team who was part of the gold-medal winning crew at the 2021 U18 World Championship. Joining him are other standouts like defenceman Lukas Dragicevic, forward Tanner Howe and forward Matthew Wood, all of whom participated in the 2021 Capital City Challenge. The team will also feature a trio who captured bronze at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games, with forwards Kocha Delic, Adam Fantilli and Pano Fimis.

Three goaltenders, eight defencemen and 14 forwards were selected by director of player personnel Alan Millar, manager of hockey operations Benoit Roy and senior vice-president of hockey operations Scott Salmond.

“We are excited to unveil the 25 players that will wear the Maple Leaf at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship and take on the challenge of winning a second-consecutive gold medal,” said Millar in a statement released by Hockey Canada.

“For many of these players, this is the first time they will represent their country in international competition, and we know they are excited for the opportunity to compete on the world stage.”

Canada opens play against the United States on Apr. 23, followed by facing host Germany on Apr. 24 and Czechia on Apr. 26.

Canada’s full roster

Forwards

Tanner Howe
Nick Moldenhauer
Josh Davies
Josh Filmon
Kocha Delic
Mathew Ward
Connor Bedard
Pano Fimis
David Goyette
Brayden Schuurman
Adam Fantilli
Connor Hvidston
Rieger Lorenz
Matthew Wood

Defencemen

Nolan Collins
Lukas Dragicevic
Michael Mastrodomenico
Kalem Parker
Grayden Siepmann
Spencer Sova
Owen Pickering
Matthew Morden

Goaltenders

Nolan Lalonde
Ethan Buenaventura
Reid Dyck