Jets prospect Brayden Yager named Canada’s captain for 2025 World Juniors

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Winnipeg Jets prospect Brayden Yager has been selected to serve as Canada’s captain for the upcoming World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ontario, which will start next week.

Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk and Colorado Avalanche pick Calum Ritchie will serve as alternates.

This will be Yager’s second World Juniors and third time representing Canada internationally. He had five goals and nine points en route to a gold medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup before getting drafted to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Yager was one of the few bright spots on Canada at last years’ WJC, scoring two goals and five points to finish second in team scoring behind Macklin Celebrini. This will be the first time Yager has represented his country since getting traded to the Winnipeg Jets in the deal that sent Rutger McGroarty to Pittsburgh over the summer.

Molendyk was named to Canada’s roster last year before injuries prevented him from playing in the main event. The 19-year-old Saskatoon Blades defender is expected to be a big part of Canada’s blueline this year, practicing on the second power-play unit in training camp. Molendyk has 21 points in as many games with the Blades this year, his fifth season in the WHL. He was also part of the Canadian U-18 team that won gold at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Ritchie, meanwhile, is the only player of the three to have NHL experience. The Oakville, Ontario native had one goal in seven games with the Avs after filling a role with the team missing key players at the start of the season. Since returning back to the Oshawa Generals, Ritchie has put up 34 points in 18 games to help put him on pace for over 100 points for the first time in his career. Ritchie was a big part of Canada’s bronze medal effort at the 2023 U-18 World Championship, registering nine points in seven games. He also won gold at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 10 points in five outings.

Canada will kick off their pre-tournament play against Switzerland at 7:00 PM ET tonight. They’ll face off against Sweden and Czechia before starting the main event against Finland on Dec. 26. Canada is looking to win gold for the third time in four years after falling out of the quarterfinals in Sweden last year.