After another successful NHL Draft, one thing remains clear – no country develops hockey players quite like Canada.

In total, more than one-third of the players who had their names called in Los Angeles – 85 of 224 – hail from north of the 49th parallel.

The list features representation from 10 Members, and 27 who have worn the Maple Leaf in international competition.

The red-and-white run started from the very top, with Matthew Schaefer going No. 1 to the New York Islanders – the first of 19 first-round selections (the most since 2020). The Hamilton, Ontario, native already has a trophy case to be envious of – he has won gold at the Canada Winter Games (scoring the overtime winner in the gold medal game), World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF U18 World Championship and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, serving as captain at the first, second and last of those triumphs.

He also cracked the Canadian lineup for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording a goal and an assist in two games before a broken collarbone prematurely ended his tournament.

Michael Misa followed quickly behind Schaefer, going second overall to the San Jose Sharks; the Mississauga product owns gold from the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and silver from the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, earning both medals as an underager. Misa, who was granted exceptional status to play in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in 2022-23, led all CHL scorers this season with 134 points (62-72—134) in 65 games with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.

In all, Canadians were four of the first five picks (for the first time since 2014), seven of the first 10 (for the second year in a row) and 15 of the first 20 (for the first time since 1994).

The list of first-rounders included a number of 2024-25 gold medallists: five from the 2025 U18 Men’s Worlds (Cootes, Kindel, Martin, Nesbitt, Smith) and nine from the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Cootes, Desnoyers, Kindel, Martin, O’Brien, Reid, Reschny, Schaefer, Smith).

The CHL was well represented among the Canadian contingent; 79 of the 85 players selected were products of CHL programs, from 42 different teams – led by four each from the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads and Kitchener Rangers. The Ontario Hockey League led the way with 35 picks, followed by the Western Hockey League with 27 and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League with 17.

CANADIAN PLAYERS DRAFTED – BY MEMBER

Ontario Hockey Federation (32) – Kashawn Aitcheson, Lirim Amidovski, David Bedkowski, Trenten Bennett, Jordan Charron, Gabe Chiarot, Ethan Czata, Francesco Dell’Elce, Kieran Dervin, Rylan Fellinger, Owen Griffin, Matthew Hlacar, Tyler Hopkins, Jack Ivankovic, Aidan Lane, Jimmy Lombardi, Andrew McNiel, Brady Martin, Porter Martone, Marco Mignosa, Michael Misa, Shamar Moses, Jack Nesbitt, Jake O’Brien, Charlie Pacquette, Evan Passmore, Noah Read, Cameron Reid, Luca Romano, Matthew Schaefer, Grant Spada, Malcolm Spence

Hockey Quebec (15) – Anthony Allain-Samaké, Lucas Beckman, Justin Carbonneau, Alexis Cournoyer, Gabriel D’Aigle, Caleb Desnoyers, Émile Guité, Alex Huang, Noah Laberge, Jérémy Loranger, Alexis Mathieu, Samuel Meloche, Mateo Nobert, Nathan Quinn, Bill Zonnon

Hockey Alberta (12) – Nathan Behm, Braeden Cootes, Ashton Cumby, Kale Dach, Aiden Foster, Max Heise, Justin Kipkie, Carter Klippenstein, Ryan Miller, Bryce Pickford, Jackson Smith, Luke Vlooswyk

BC Hockey (7) – Shea Busch, Ben Kindel, Tommy Lafrenière, Lynden Lakovic, Joshua Ravensbergen, Cameron Schmidt, Will Sharpe

Hockey Manitoba (7) – Carter Bear, Matthew Gard, Burke Hood, Peyton Kettles, Owen Martin, Hayden Papaneukis, Brady Turko

Hockey Eastern Ontario (5) – Quinn Beauchesne, Jacob Cloutier, Parker Holmes, Harry Nansi, Grayden Robertson-Palmer

Hockey Nova Scotia (2) – Cole Chandler, Brady Peddle

Hockey P.E.I. (2) – Will Murphy, Dawson Sharkey

Hockey Saskatchewan (2) – Roger McQueen, Cole Reschny

Hockey New Brunswick (1) – Will Reynolds

CANADIAN PLAYERS DRAFTED – BY INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

2025 National Men’s Team – Porter Martone

2025 National Junior Team – Jack Ivankovic, Porter Martone, Matthew Schaefer

2025 National Men’s Under-18 Team (gold medal) – Quinn Beauchesne, Lucas Beckman, Braeden Cootes, Matthew Gard, Burke Hood, Tyler Hopkins, Alex Huang, Jack Ivankovic, Ben Kindel, Brady Martin, Jack Nesbitt, Cole Reschny, Cameron Schmidt, Jackson Smith

2024 National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team (gold medal) – Quinn Beauchesne, Lucas Beckman, Braeden Cootes, Ethan Czata, Caleb Desnoyers, Émile Guité, Tyler Hopkins, Alex Huang, Jack Ivankovic, Peyton Kettles, Ben Kindel, Brady Martin, Jake O’Brien, Cameron Reid, Cole Reschny, Matthew Schaefer, Cameron Schmidt,Jackson Smith

2024 National Men’s Under-18 Team (gold medal) – Kashawn Aitcheson, Caleb Desnoyers, Jack Ivankovic, Porter Martone, Matthew Schaefer

2023 National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team (gold medal) – Gabriel D’Aigle, Porter Martone, Michael Misa, Roger McQueen, Malcolm Spence

2023 National Men’s Under-18 Team (bronze medal) – Gabriel D’Aigle

2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Red) – Quinn Beauchesne, Braeden Cootes, Peyton Kettles, Brady Martin, Jake O’Brien, Cole Reschny, Luca Romano, Jackson Smith

2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada White-gold medal) – Cole Chandler, Ethan Czata, Caleb Desnoyers, Owen Griffin, Émile Guité, Tyler Hopkins, Alex Huang, Jack Ivankovic, Jack Nesbitt, Mateo Nobert, Cameron Reid, Matthew Schaefer, Cameron Schmidt, Will Sharpe

2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Black) – Lynden Lakovic, Malcolm Spence

2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Red-silver medal) – David Bedkowski, Gabriel D’Aigle, Porter Martone, Michael Misa

2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada White) – Justin Carbonneau, Roger McQueen, Bill Zonnon

Hockey Canada has announced the management group that will lead the Hockey Canada Officiating Program through the 2026-27 season.

Dan Coles (Sherwood Park, AB), Matthew Fergenbaum (Thornhill, ON), Fraser Lawrence (Edmonton, AB), Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, ON) and Sean Tobin (Goulds, NL) will work alongside officiating manager Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, BC) and officiating coordinator Megan Howes (Burnaby, BC) to oversee the program.

At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Hockey Canada referee-in-chief Todd Robinson (Sackville, NS) announced his retirement, having served in the role since 2017. Through consultations with its 13 Members, Hockey Canada determined a new structure was required to lead the Officiating Program. The creation of a management group, staffed by individuals with focused mandates in their area of expertise, was identified as a key step forward for the program.

“Hockey Canada is grateful to Todd Robinson for his years of dedicated service to our officials,” said Hanoomansingh. “As Todd prepared to step down, it was clear that the size and diversity of the Officiating Program required multiple experts in positions of leadership. Our Members were supportive of this new direction and we are looking forward to seeing the program develop under the leadership of our new management group.”

Dan Coles will serve in the position of Officiating Education Lead and take responsibility for the development of the officiating curriculum and assisting in the development and delivery of training for officiating instructors. Coles began officiating with the St. Albert MHA at the age of 13 and has served in a variety of leadership roles across the officiating program, including as an assigner, clinic instructor and referee-in-chief. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, with a specialization in educational technology. Away from the rink, Coles has worked as a teacher and principal, primarily in physical education and mathematics, and currently works with the Alberta Teachers’ Association, focusing on labour relations and supporting teachers.

Matthew Fergenbaum takes on the role of Para Officiating Lead, supporting the Members with recruitment and development of officials for para hockey, as well as identifying and training officials for competitions sanctioned by World Para Ice Hockey (WPIH). Fergenbaum brings over two decades of on-ice officiating experience, including two Paralympic Winter Games and eight world championships. In the past year, he has become integral to the development of WPIH’s officiating staff, leading their officiating camp in South Korea, and will continue his work in parallel to this role with Hockey Canada.

Fraser Lawrence will take the role of OPOE Men’s Head Coach, leading the development of high-performance officials in the men’s hockey stream of the Officiating Program of Excellence. Lawrence recently finished a glittering on-ice career, officiating league championships in the Western Hockey League and American Hockey League, as well as the Canada Winter Games, two IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2022 IIHF World Championship. While pursuing success in business as a senior sales executive, Lawrence has continued his involvement in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League, as well as participating in Hockey Canada’s 2024 Men’s Elite Development Camp and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Lawrence will bring his focus to mentoring the next generation of Hockey Canada officials and elevating the standard across the program.

Vanessa Stratton takes on the role of OPOE Women’s Head Coach, leading the development of high-performance officials in the women’s hockey stream of the Officiating Program of Excellence. Stratton currently splits her time between roles with BC Hockey, Hockey Canada and the IIHF, where she has coached officials at the last two editions of the IIHF Women’s World Championship, as well as being part of the core coaching group for the Road to Milano Olympic preparation program. In 2023, she was also nominated to join the IIHF Officiating Committee, where she contributes to the global growth and advancement of officiating. Off the ice, Stratton works full-time at Western University and will be starting her PhD in the fall 2025 at the University of Windsor, focusing her research on the officiating ecosystem.

Sean Tobin will serve in the position of Officiating Coaching Lead and take responsibility for the development of officiating coaches and leaders at the grassroots level across the country. Tobin most recently served as a senior instructor with several Members and is the former assistant referee-in-chief of Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO). Tobin developed the YouTube series Rule of the Week, promoting better understanding of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules, and was responsible for introducing the Green Armband Initiative to HEO. Alongside his hockey work, Tobin is a registered mental health clinician with extensive leadership experience in the public sector. His professional background has helped him foster practical training, mentorship and a thoughtful approach to officiating education and coaching across Canadian hockey.

The Hockey Canada Officiating Program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game. The 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals. For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) welcomed its newest crop of players Tuesday night in the nation’s capital, with 16 Canadians selected in the annual PWHL Draft.

The list features representation from six Members, and 11 players who have worn the Maple Leaf in international competition at some level (or all levels) of the National Women’s Program.

The run of Canadians started from the No. 4 pick, where the Victoire de Montréal selected defender Nicole Gosling, the lone player who has seen time with Canada’s National Women’s Team (and won gold at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship).

She was the first of three first-rounders, along with fellow blue-liner Kendall Cooper (No. 6 to Minnesota) and Jenna Buglioni, who made history as the first-ever draft pick by Seattle at No. 8.

Each of the six rounds featured at least one Canadian, with three going in each of the first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds. Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Seattle used three of their picks on Canadians, followed by Vancouver (two), Boston (one) and Ottawa (one). The Toronto Sceptres were the lone team not to select a Canadian.

Fourteen of the 16 draft picks are alumnae of the U18 Women’s National Championship, having represented their province or region at the tournament, and four – Tamara Giaquinto (Brampton, 2018); Maya Labad (Lanaudière, 2018); Dayle Ross (St. Albert, 2019) and Vanessa Upson (Stoney Creek, 2019) – competed at the Esso Cup, Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship.

Vancouver made history with the 48th and final choice, selecting University of B.C. product Chanreet Bassi, the first-ever South Asian draft pick.

CANADIAN PLAYERS DRAFTED – BY MEMBER

Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (8) – Brianna Brooks, Kendall Cooper, Tamara Giaquinto, Nicole Gosling, Hannah Murphy, Vanessa Upson, Olivia Wallin, Maddi Wheeler

BC Hockey (3) – Chanreet Bassi, Jenna Buglioni, Anne Cherkowski

Hockey Alberta (2) – Dayle Ross, Sarah Wozniewicz

Hockey Newfoundland & Labrador (1) – Abby Newhook

Hockey P.E.I. (1) – Abby Hustler

Hockey Quebec (1) – Maya Labad

CANADIAN PLAYERS DRAFTED – BY INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

National Women’s Team (1) – Nicole Gosling

National Women’s Development Team (9) – Jenna Buglioni, Anne Cherkowski, Kendall Cooper, Nicole Gosling, Maya Labad, Hannah Murphy, Abby Newhook, Maddi Wheeler, Sarah Wozniewicz

National Women’s Under-18 Team (10) – Brianna Brooks, Jenna Buglioni, Anne Cherkowski, Kendall Cooper, Tamara Giaquinto, Nicole Gosling, Maya Labad, Olivia Wallin, Maddi Wheeler, Sarah Wozniewicz

As long as I can remember, I've heard and read stories of my ancestry dating back to the Red River Resistance, including a book written about my great-grandma’s family living on a reserve in Northern Manitoba. Families on my dad’s side settled in small Métis towns called St-Malo and St-Pierre-Jolys.

I’ll admit… after hearing about my ancestors’ experiences, I wasn't sure if being Indigenous was good or if it was something I should be ashamed of. In minor hockey, people used to always ask ‘Who is that little native boy on the ice?’ just because I was playing on a boys’ team and had a long braid.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, until I heard some of the things people were saying about other Indigenous people in the community, things I never thought I would hear. Although we spoke regularly in our household about our Métis heritage, it was difficult to express it outside our walls.

After that, I thought if I didn't expose myself as being Indigenous that I wouldn't get bullied or hurt. I buried it away and focused on my real passion—hockey. Every time I stepped on the ice, I wanted to be the best player so one day I could be a role model for other Indigenous athletes with similar experiences.

I lived by the motto “I work hard today to be better for tomorrow.” Carrying that with me, I was able to make the British Columbia roster as a double under-ager for the 2023 Canada Winter Games on Prince Edward Island, and was lucky enough to help Team B.C. win its first-ever gold medal!

That event was a huge moment in my journey; I believe I made a name for Indigenous athletes to show that you can play with everyone.

My journey with Team B.C. has continued for the last two seasons, winning a pair of bronze medals at the U18 Women’s National Championship, getting to serve as captain at the most recent tournament in New Brunswick and being named Top Defender.

I have also won two Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) championships with RHA Kelowna in the Female U18 Prep division, broke the record for most career assists in division history and earned CSSHL Defensive Player of the Year last season.

Oh, and I lived out a dream by getting to wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and win a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Finland. How’s that for a platform for Indigenous athletes!

Through my time with Team B.C., I learned about ISPARC (Indigenous Sports Physical Activity and Recreation Council), which leads the teams that represent the province at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) every year. In 2023, just a few months after my Canada Games experience, I made my first NAHC appearance in Winnipeg.

I returned for a second tournament in 2024 in Grande Prairie, winning a bronze medal, and earned the Premier’s regional and provincial awards for Indigenous youth excellence in sports.

I made a third trip just a few months ago on home ice in Kamloops, just a couple hours from where I grew up in Osoyoos, getting the honour of being captain again and leading Team B.C. to silver, the best finish in program history.

Those tournaments were amazing experience, both personally and culturally. I felt accepted by opponents, fans, coaches and teammates. They were so, so important in my growth as a hockey player and as an Indigenous athlete.

There’s one story from my NAHC years that will stick with me, and I want to share it. It really drives home why I want to work with the younger generation (which is funny for me to say being only 18!) to truly embrace our culture.

One of my best friends, who is Indigenous, would constantly be reminded by her teammates that she wasn't good enough to play for Team B.C. at the U18 Women’s Nationals. No one cared if she made the ISPARC Team B.C.; to them, it would never be as good as what they considered the “real Team B.C.”

I never hesitated to remind her how skilled of a player she was. It was—and still is—very hard for me to understand how her teammates could not only be so mean, but at the same time talk about Indigenous athletes and the NAHC tournament as a lower form of competition.

Hearing them say that we aren't good enough hockey players just because we were Indigenous was something that didn’t sit well for me. It made me realize that I have to fight for what's right and stop hiding in the shadows.

I am very proud to say that I am a citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) and that I live on the traditional unceded territory of the Sylix (Okanagan) Nation!

I made a decision to learn more about being Métis. The MNBC staff was welcoming and supported me in learning about my culture and other Indigenous cultures. I was honoured to be sashed by the president of the MNBC and receive two warrior sashes made for me by Métis Elders.

I was invited by the MNBC Board of Directors to speak with government representatives and talk about the mental, physical and emotional challenges that Indigenous athletes have to face. I explained how hard it is to be faced with discrimination just for being Indigenous.

Due to the negative impact, I took a 12-week course with former NHLer Aaron Volpatti to help with my mental health and confidence. He showed me that if I envision what I want to focus on and to not let outside voices get to me, I'll be able to accomplish anything.

This knowledge was very important; I learned that it's okay to speak up and to fight for what's right. I knew I didn't have to hide who I was anymore because I had a whole team of people who would back me up and pick me up if I ever got down. Being a citizen of the MNBC has allowed me to be a role model for Indigenous athletes, proving that there are no limits if you are willing to put in the work.

Alongside the highs and lows of being an Indigenous athlete, I faced another challenge that was out of my control—I have often been overlooked or underestimated because of my height. (I’m 5-foot-2, in case you’re wondering.)

No matter what I did, every mistake and every loss was because I was short. I knew my height would come with challenges, but never did I think a coach would belittle me because of it. I would be told that I cost the team the game, implying that it was because I was too short. During my NCAA recruitment, this coach would always bring up my size as a negative when speaking to other coaches, rather than focusing on my skills.

I’m short…and I can’t do anything about it! I am so lucky to have been able to work with two coaches, Venla Hovi and Kris Hogg, who really took me under their wing and didn't just look past me because of my height.

Venla—a two-time Olympian and Women’s Worlds veteran with Finland—was the first coach who gave me confidence to use my height as an advantage. She saw my potential and worked with me to be comfortable being uncomfortable. She really changed the way I played, for the better. She allowed me to see my height as a strength and as something people wouldn't be able to stop. I was so fortunate to have a strong believer like her on my side.

When I made the move from the Okanagan Hockey Academy to RHA Kelowna, Kris was the coach who encouraged me and supported my growth as a player. He always put me out there to every single college he could, never once saying I was too short to play Division I hockey. He also pushed me past my boundaries on and off the ice, which helped me to break records I wouldn't have thought possible.

It is with the support of Venla and Kris, along with coaches and trainers like Mark Fitzgerald, Jim Liebel, Tyler Liebel, Travis Martell, Derek Ruck, my dad Dean and so many more that I have been able to live my hockey dreams—representing my province, representing my Indigenous community and (the craziest of all) representing my country!

This coming season, I’m proud to have accepted a scholarship to Penn State University to continue my hockey career.

Through my journey I have realized that no matter what, you have to fight for what's right and continue to battle against the hard. I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have had, and I continue to work hard today to be better for tomorrow so that I can make my dreams to represent Canada at the Olympics and play in the PWHL a reality.

My hope is that my journey and story will be an inspiration to young Indigenous athletes, showing them that any boundary is breakable with the right mindset.

Hockey provided Harrison Browne with an opportunity to feel openly comfortable. It also granted him a voice to proudly discuss his journey.

That journey now includes writing a book alongside his sister, Rachel, an investigative journalist. Let Us Play: Winning the Battle for Gender Diverse Athletes was published late last month and includes Harrison’s experiences and those from athletes, coaches, policymakers and trans advocates.

HockeyCanada.ca caught up with Browne to talk about the new book and his journey in and out of the game.

HC: What inspired you to write Let Us Play?

HB: What initially started out as a memoir shifted to a larger-scale project highlighting the voice of trans athletes from all levels all over the world when my sister and I started to see the effects of the worsening discourse around trans athletes in the media and political sphere. We wanted to take the narrative back and give voices to these amazing trans and gender-diverse athletes who are often left out of the conversation when it impacts them the most.

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HC: You made history as the first openly transgender athlete in professional hockey. Looking back, what was the toughest part of that journey and what are you most proud of?

HB: The toughest part of that journey was not the coming out or the reaction from the hockey world, it was my life outside of the sport. Being able to be Harrison within the rink and the locker rooms made it harder to be someone else outside of that by strangers who didn't know my story, who just viewed me as a queer woman. It was hard to be misgendered like that outside of sports.

I'm most proud of the positive visibility that came through my coming out. I was welcomed by the fans, by my teammates, by the league and that was an example that people could turn to. Seeing a trans athlete celebrated when the discourse around trans people is usually around struggle and negativity meant a lot for people looking in. Getting messages on my social media from other trans individuals was really empowering to know being myself was helping others do that too.

HC: The book speaks to the illusion of fairness in sports. Can you unpack what that means, especially for readers who might not yet understand the systemic inequities at play?

HB: Fairness in sports is a fallacy no matter how hard sport governing bodies can try to level the playing field. There are many things that give an athlete an advantage over another, but the biggest barrier to true fairness is socioeconomic status and access. No matter what an athlete's natural ability may be, their access to the best equipment, coaching, nutrition, playing facilities and other things is the biggest indicator on if an athlete can truly excel or not. We see it play out in the Olympics all the time with more western countries having that competitive edge over developing countries. We need to do more work in closing those socioeconomic gaps instead of focusing on trans athletes who make up such a small percentage of elite athletes.

HC: What do you think people are missing when they talk about inclusion in sport?

HB: Right now, we're seeing more and more policies and mentality around sports shift to an exclusionary approach rather than inclusionary. The rhetoric around the reasoning to bar a community from being able to participate in sports is that they pose an unfair advantage, that they will stop other athletes from winning or gaining scholarships. We need to get the focus on sports back to the health roots and what sport participation, especially at the youth level, is really about—enrichment, exercise, relationships, life lessons and memories. Why would we want to exclude any child from experiencing that when that is the true ethos of sports?

HC: You and Rachel spoke with many people across the sports landscape. Were there any stories or perspective from others that surprised or moved you in unexpected ways?

HB: Talking to trans youth in the United States and their families was particularly moving. Right now in the discussion around trans athletes, we're hearing mostly from elite athletes at the college level and the Olympic level, but it's youth that are being impacted the most. We traveled to Dallas and spoke with a 13-year-old trans girl named Libby Gonzales. She and her family have been fighting for trans rights since she was seven. She has been on the front lines advocating against bathroom bans and now sports bans for over half of her life. To see the love and unwavering support that these parents have towards their trans children was and is very emotional for me. It's heartening to know there are people out there fighting for a better world for youth to grow up in, but also deeply troubling to see the real people affected by these anti-trans bills.

HC: If there’s a young trans or non-binary athlete looking to get involved in the game, what’s something you’d want to say to them?

HB: Don't believe everything you are seeing in the media when it comes to negative opinions about you, and do not read the comments in articles about you. There are a lot of ignorant people out there, but there are also many people within the sporting world who are fighting for your right to play the sport you love—there is a place for you and you deserve to have the same experiences as your cisgender peers. You belong and you are loved.

HC: If readers walk away from this book with just one takeaway, what do you hope it is?

HB: The humanity behind trans and non-binary athletes. I hope they read these stories from these incredible athletes who are more than just athletes—they are humans with struggles outside of sports just like everyone else, and this is so much bigger than sports. I hope that instead of trans athletes being a feared and unknown term, we can put real faces to the real players impacted and misunderstood the most right now and get back to humanizing this amazing community.

There were few—if any—more qualified to lead the Indigenous initiatives at the 2025 TELUS Cup than Hayden Guilderson.

The 28-year-old Chilliwack, B.C., product played minor hockey with the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds as part of a hockey journey that includes stops in the Pacific Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and U SPORTS.

At Canada’s U18 Men’s National Club Championship, Guilderson—a councillor with the Ch’iyáqtel First Nation—ensured that as five teams from across the country joined the host Thunderbirds in his hometown, the local Indigenous community would be front and centre.

HockeyCanada.ca caught up with Guilderson to talk about his role, the initiatives he helped lead during the tournament and what the experience taught him.

HC: How did you get involved with the TELUS  Cup and specifically the Indigenous initiatives?

HG: I was invited to join the TELUS Cup steering committee by a Chilliwack city councillor who saw value in my background: a proud alumnus of the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds and a serving councillor for a local First Nation. Growing up playing hockey in the Fraser Valley, I understood both the sport and its community impact. When given the opportunity, I felt a strong responsibility to ensure our Indigenous presence was not just visible, but impactful. This role allowed me to use my voice and experiences—on and off the ice—to help shape an authentic Indigenous activation that reflected our traditions and strengthened the fabric of the tournament.

HC: Can you tell us about some of the key Indigenous elements you helped bring to life?

HG: Several initiatives brought Indigenous pride to the forefront. Welcome gifts for the players featured commissioned artwork from local Indigenous artists—a symbolic gesture of cultural sharing and respect. Medal ceremony cedar plates, hand‑carved by our community artists, carried cultural meaning onto the podium. Most meaningful was the Dreams Come True program; we provided 15 local Indigenous youth with full Bauer hockey gear and led a special on‑ice skills session for them. That moment embodied why we do this work: to break barriers, create opportunities and inspire the next generation. The looks on their faces reminded me that representation goes beyond symbolism—it changes lives. Finally, I partnered with local Indigenous organizations to ensure community members had access to games and tournament events. Each of these elements was built to be authentic, intentional and inclusive—so everyone involved would feel our presence and pride.

HC: Why was it important for you to be a part of this event and make an impact?

HG: Being part of the TELUS Cup meant showcasing Chilliwack’s deep Indigenous roots on a national stage. With teams and visitors from across Canada in town, I wanted them to feel our city’s warmth and connection to land and culture. It was important that our traditions were woven respectfully into the tournament—whether through ceremony, artwork or community involvement. This wasn’t just about representation; it was about fostering understanding and leaving a legacy that reminds everyone of our enduring presence. I saw this as an opportunity to set a new standard in hockey—one where Indigenous voices are integral, celebrated and honoured.

HC: The hockey community is evolving to celebrate different cultures. What does that mean to you?

HG: Seeing hockey become more inclusive and culturally conscious is both heartwarming and overdue. Growing up, I faced racism and never saw Indigenous culture represented in the sport. The TELUS Cup’s Indigenous activations were part of a broader shift: hockey is beginning to heal, educate and embrace new voices. Whether in tournaments or everyday community rinks, culture is being woven into the fabric of the game. That shift validates the experiences of Indigenous players and fans—showing them they belong and that their heritage is valued. To me, it means hope, growth and transformation—not just for hockey, but for the communities it touches.

HC: What did you learn personally through this experience?

HG: This experience taught me the power of collaboration and intentional leadership. When Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders come together with mutual respect, results can be profound. I witnessed how voices rooted in culture strengthen community events and leave lasting impact. On a personal level, I was reminded of how much representation matters—especially to youth who often go unseen. It also reinforced the importance of patience, cultural diligence and ceremony when integrating traditions. This taught me that authenticity takes time but yields deeper, more meaningful outcomes.

HC: What advice would you give to ED&I leaders looking to be part of future Hockey Canada events?

HG: Show up, speak up and collaborate. Don’t be afraid to propose meaningful change—not token gestures. Bring your culture forward and demand that Indigenous voices be woven into the planning and execution. Build partnerships early, involve Elders and artists in decision-making and prioritize cultural protocols. Be patient; these changes take time, but each step shifts the culture of hockey. Your presence and voice matter—so use them to guide and inspire future change.

HC: If there’s one thing you hope people remember from your work at the TELUS Cup, what would it be?

HG: I hope people remember that Indigenous culture is not an add-on—it’s integral. From artwork and ceremony to youth programming, I wanted the TELUS Cup to be known as a tournament where Indigenous tradition and spirit were genuinely woven into the event’s heart. Above all, I wanted people to see Indigenous kids skating in full gear, proud and included. That image, to me, is powerful and hopeful, and the legacy worth carrying forward.

Here we go again. Canada’s National Para Hockey Team faces its cross-border rivals from the United States on Saturday night with the gold medal on the line at the 2025 World Para Hockey Championship.

Last Game

Canada punched its ticket to the gold medal game with a 3-0 semifinal win over Czechia on Friday. Liam Hickey and Adam Dixon scored 18 seconds apart midway through the first period to provide the Canadians all the offence they would need, Tyler McGregor added a power-play goal in the second period and Adam Kingsmill made eight saves for his second shutout in as many starts.

The Americans earned their place in the final with a 6-1 win over China in their semifinal. Declan Farmer had two goals and three assists to take sole possession of the tournament scoring lead, Jack Wallace also scored twice and the U.S. took charge with a four-goal second period.

Last Meeting

The rivals have met nine times this season, most recently in the finale of a three-game series in Thorold, Ontario in late March. Kingsmill starred in that game with a 16-save effort, Vincent Boily and Mathieu Lelièvre contributed a goal and an assist apiece and the Canadians earned a 2-1 victory.

The last meeting at Para Worlds was a thriller in last year’s gold medal game in Calgary. Kingsmill was again the story, making 24 saves, Dominic Cozzolino set the tone with a goal just 35 seconds in and Anton Jacobs-Webb netted the game-winner midway through the second period as Canada ended a seven-year gold medal drought with a 2-1 win.

What to Watch

We’ve mentioned him a couple of time already, but let’s do it once more – Kingsmill always seems to come up big in big games against the Americans. The 25-year-old was the unquestioned star of last year’s gold medal game, making a handful of point-blank saves to backstop Canada to a home-ice world title in Alberta. He’s also the only goaltender in Buffalo who has played more than one game and had yet to allow a goal, although he has had to make only 10 saves while blanking the Koreans and Czechs. Up front, James Dunn will reach at least one milestone; the forward will make his 100th appearance for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team and needs just one point to record 100 for his international career.

As he is at every major international event, Farmer is the straw that stirs the drink for the Americans. The Florida native is up to 18 points (10-8—18) after his five-point effort in the semifinals, good for a three-point cushion over Wallace and four over Cozzolino. A four-time world champion, Farmer is no stranger to the top of the scoring chart; he was first a year ago in Calgary (11-9—20 in five games), second in 2023 in Moose Jaw (9-3—12 in five games) and first at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing (7-11—18 in four games). He has also been pretty darn good against the Canadians this season, recording 20 points (13-7—20) in nine games.

A Look Back

This is the 138th edition of the North American rivalry, with the Americans holding a slight edge.

Prior to last spring, the most recent Canadian win with a major title on the line came at the 2017 Para Worlds in Gangneung, South Korea. McGregor scored a pair of goals, Brad Bowden added a goal and two assists and Canada earned a 4-1 victory to lay claim to the world championship.

All-time record: United States leads 75-61-1 (15-7 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 261
United States goals: 321

Canada’s National Para Hockey Team is into the playoff round at the 2025 World Para Hockey Championship, facing off against Czechia in the first semifinal Friday at the LECOM Harborcenter.

Last Game

The Canadians closed out the preliminary round Tuesday with a 4-2 win over China, completing a perfect prelims and clinching top spot in Group A. Dominic Cozzolino potted a pair of goals, including the game-winner 3:47 into the third period to break open a tie game. Adam Dixon and Mathieu Lelièvre also found the back of the net for Canada, which pulled away with three goals in 3:38 early in the final frame.

Czechia put a scare into the United States in its prelim finale on Tuesday, getting within a goal in the third period before dropping a 4-3 decision. Michal Geier scored twice and Martin Zizlavsky was in on all three Czech goals, earning a trio of assists. Patrik Sedlacek was terrific in goal, making 25 saves.

Last Meeting

The semifinals of the 2024 Para Cup in Charlottetown, P.E.I., was the last time the Canadians and Czechs faced off. In that one, Tyler McGregor and Liam Hickey finished with a goal and an assist each, Cozzolino chipped in with two helpers and Canada edged Czechia 3-1 to move into the gold medal game.

What to Watch

Cozzolino has picked up right where he left off a year ago at Para Worlds. Last spring in Calgary, the Mississauga native earned Top Forward honours after finishing third in tournament scoring (7-10—17) and helping Canada end its long gold medal drought with a tone-setting goal just 35 seconds into the final against the rival Americans. In Buffalo, Cozzolino sits tied for the scoring lead with U.S. point-producer Declan Farmer with 13 points (7-6—13) in three games. He has also (for the moment) jumped past his linemate, Hickey, for sixth in all-time Team Canada scoring with 172 points (62-110—172) in 126 international games.

Filip Vesely has already surpassed his offensive output from a year ago in Calgary, posting seven points – all of them assists – in three prelim games to sit second in helpers, just one behind U.S. defenceman Jack Wallace. He led the Czechs with six points (4-2—6) in five games in Alberta. Vesely has a little more help this time around; Zizlavsky also sits at seven points (2-5—7), while Geier contibuted six goals in the round robin, tied for third behind Farmer (eight) and Cozzolino (seven). The Czechs were the only team in the tournament not to allow a power-play goal in the prelims, killing off all five man-advantages they faced.

A Look Back

Canada has an unblemished all-time record against the Czechs, winning all 21 meetings dating back to 2009.

These teams have met twice before in the semifinals at Para Worlds, both of them shutout wins for Canada; in 2013, Greg Westlake scored twice in a 6-0 victory, and in 2023, Cozzolino and James Dunn had two goals apiece in a 5-0 triumph.

All-time record: Canada leads 21-0
Canada goals: 84
Czechia goals: 10

Canada’s National Para Hockey Team closes out the preliminary round Tuesday morning at the 2025 World Para Hockey Championship, facing off against China with first place in Group A on the line.

Last Game

Canada made it back-to-back shutout wins with a 12-0 blanking of Korea on Sunday. Dominic Cozzolino led the way with a hat trick and three assists, James Dunn had a hat trick and Tyler McGregor added two goals and three helpers. The Canadians took charge early, going ahead 5-0 before the five-minute mark of the first period and scoring eight goals on 16 shots in the opening frame. The win assured Canada of a place in the semifinals, and clinched a berth at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

China improved to 2-0 with an 8-0 win over Germany on Sunday night. Tian Jin Tao scored a hat trick in the second period and Shen Yi Feng added two goals and three assists as the Chinese outshot the Germans 35-4.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Chinese most recently clashed at the 2024 Para Cup in Charlottetown, P.E.I. McGregor netted a hat trick, Vincent Boily scored twice and Canada earned a 7-1 victory. The win was a true team effort; 13 of the 15 Canadian skaters recorded at least a point, and Corbin Watson turned aside eight of nine shots to record the victory.

What to Watch

James Dunn has his sights set on a pair of milestones in Buffalo. Barring injury, the Wallacetown, Ontario, product will become the 16th player to reach 100 international games when the tournament concludes next Saturday. But his hot start to the prelims has him within reach of another mark – in addition to his hat trick against the Koreans, Dunn had a goal and four assists in the tournament-opening win over Germany, leaving him just two points away from 100 for his Team Canada career. He would be only the ninth player to reach the century mark. While we’re talking numbers… McGregor has nine points in two games (including his 150th career goal), putting him within 19 points of 300 for his career.

China is led by the three-headed monster of Shen, Tian and Wang Zhi Dong; the trio have combined for 21 points in two games and have scored 12 of the 14 goals for the Chinese – six for Tian and three each for Shen and Wang. Shen is up to his old tricks at Para Worlds; two years ago in Moose Jaw he led the tournament in scoring with 13 goals (including five in a win over Italy) and four assists, and he posted three goals and four helpers last spring in Calgary. He also starred on home ice at the 2022 Paralympics in Beijing, finishing second in scoring with 14 points (8-6—14) in six games and leading the host country to a bronze medal.

A Look Back

Canada and China have met only five times, all of which have come in the last 18 months. The Canadians have yet to lose, allowing just three goals in their five wins.

Their only previous Para Worlds meeting was a nailbiter in the semifinals a year ago in Calgary; the Canadians trailed 1-0 entering the third period before Micah Kovacevich and Cozzolino scored 24 seconds apart early in the third period, sending Canada to play for gold with a 2-1 win.

All-time record: Canada leads 5-0
Canada goals: 26
China goals: 3

Fresh off a tournament-opening win, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team is right back in action Sunday at the 2025 World Para Hockey Championship, taking on Korea as preliminary-round play continues.

Last Game

Canada opened its prelim schedule with an 11-0 win over Germany on Saturday. Tyler McGregor led the charge with four goals, Dominic Cozzolino had two goals and three assists and James Dunn chipped in with a goal and four helpers. The Canadians got better as the game went along; they led 1-0 after one period and 5-0 after two before pouring in six goals in the final 15 minutes.

The Koreans dropped a back-and-forth opener to China on Saturday night, erasing an early 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead into the third period, only to allow four unanswered goals in a 6-3 loss. Kim Young Sung led the offence with two goals, while Lee Jae Woong was solid between the pipes in a 24-save effort as the Korea was outshot 30-7.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Koreans last met in the tournament opener at the 2023 Para Worlds in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Canada flexed its offensive muscle in that one, scoring seven times in the first period en route to a 15-1 victory. Dominic Cozzolino led the charge with eight points – four goals and four assists – while Dunn (3-2—5), Adam Dixon (2-3—5) and McGregor (2-3—5) contributed five points apiece. In all, 11 of the 13 Canadian skaters recorded at least a point, and eight had multi-point efforts.

What to Watch

The odds are pretty good this won’t be the last time we see his name in this space, but let’s talk about McGregor. The Canadian captain continues to lead by example, potting four goals in the win over the Germans. The Forest, Ontario, native now has 153 goals in his international career, making him just the third player in Team Canada history to reach the 150 mark – Billy Bridges leads with 199, and Greg Westlake (now an assistant coach with the team) scored 175 in his decorated career. With the four goals, McGregor is up to 28 points (18-10—28) in 17 games this season; he has recorded at least one point in 11 of his last 12 games, and 14 of the 17 this season.

In his 11th Para Worlds, Jung Seung Hwan remains the offensive catalyst for the Koreans. A year ago, he posted eight points (4-4—8) at the world championship in Calgary, the highest scorer not to play for the powerhouse Canadians or Americans, and he put his name on the scoresheet again in the loss to China. The 39-year-old also led the Koreans in scoring at the 2023 Para Worlds in Moose Jaw, albeit with only three points (2-1—3) in five games. Jung is a para sport legend in Korea; he was the flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, scoring six goals to lead the host nation to a bronze medal.

A Look Back

The head-to-head history has been decidedly one-sided, with the Canadians winning all 39 meetings and outscoring the Koreans 260-16.

Canada and Korea have met in the semifinals at the last two editions of the Paralympic Winter Games, and both have been shutout victories for the Canadians; McGregor had two goals and two assists in a 7-0 win in 2018, and he recorded four goals and two helpers in an 11-0 win in 2022.

All-time record: Canada leads 39-0
Canada goals: 260
Korea goals: 16