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

Canada’s National Para Hockey Team opens defence of its gold medal Saturday at the 2025 World Para Hockey Championship, beginning preliminary-round play against Germany.

Last Game

Canada last saw the ice in game action on March 29 in Thorold, Ontario, closing out its three-game series against the United States with a 2-1 win. Mathieu Lelièvre scored midway through the second period and Vincent Boily netted the winner early in the third as the all-Quebec trio of Lelièvre (1-1—2), Boily (1-1—2) and Anton Jacobs-Webb (0-2—2) provided all the offence. Adam Kingsmill was terrific in goal, making 16 saves.

The Germans most recently swept a three-game series with Norway in mid-January, gaining a measure of revenge for their loss to the Norwegians in the B-Pool World Championship last spring.

Last Meeting

You have to go all the way back to the preliminary round at the 2017 Para Worlds in South Korea for the last meeting between the Canadians and Germans. Canada dominated the prelim finale, getting a natural hat trick from Tyler McGregor and two goals apiece from Dominic Cozzolino and Corbyn Smith in a 9-0 victory. Dominic Larocque needed to make just two saves for the shutout as the Canadians held a wide 45-2 advantage in shots on goal.

What to Watch

All eyes are on Adam Dixon as he makes Team Canada history on Saturday. Dixon is set to pass Billy Bridges as the all-time games played leader for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, skating in his 252nd international contest. Save for a three-year hiatus following the 2018 Paralympics, the Midland, Ontario, native has been a fixture in the Team Canada lineup for almost two decades, first as one of the best defencemen in the para game and more recently as a dependable second-line centre. Dixon joined elite company during the Reeve Hockey Classic in February, recording his 100th career goal and becoming just the fifth Canadian to reach that mark. He is No. 5 in all-time Team Canada scoring, with 266 points (100-166—266) in 251 career games.

Felix Schraeder’s numbers at the B-Pool Worlds look like something out of a video game. Schraeder finished as the scoring leader with a ridiculous 31 points (19-12—31) in five games to help Germany to a silver medal. His tournament included eight goals and four assists against Great Britain, three goals and three assists against Kazakhstan, and six goals and three assists against France. Schraeder will be looking to repeat that performance in the A-Pool and avoid a repeat of 2023; he had just a goal and an assist in four games in Moose Jaw as the Germans were relegated.

A Look Back

The Canadians and Germans have met 14 times since para hockey joined the Hockey Canada family in 2004, although 13 of those came prior to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics.

The teams met twice in British Columbia as part of the 2009 Hockey Canada Cup, a test event for the Paralympics; Brad Bowden had two goals and four assists in a 12-1 win for Canada in the tournament opener, and Bridges netted a hat trick and added three helpers in a 9-0 semifinal victory.

All-time record: Canada leads 13-0-1
Canada goals: 98
Germany goals: 10

If knowing where you have been can help guide where you’re going, Chihiro Suzuki is certain hockey will be in her future. The 23-year-old has played in all four countries she’s lived in and, in some cases, found it to be the fastest way to fit in.

“In Shanghai, half of the team spoke English and half of them didn’t speak any English at all, or Japanese,” Suzuki says. “So it was like half of the team that I couldn’t even have a conversation with, but we were somehow great friends even though I never spoke a word to them.

“Hockey has always, always, always been a community that I could rely on everywhere I went.”

A native of from Yokohama, Japan, Suzuki got into the game by her father after he was introduced to it while living in Russia. Despite a lack of infrastructure in Japan (she says arenas are at least two hours apart in the southern part of the country) Suzuki and her two older brothers quickly became enraptured by the game and would spend 15 hours every weekend doing skating drills, at an arena three hours away from home.

“I would go to school and say that I play hockey and [people would say] ‘Oh my goshm you can stop?’” Suzuki says. Skating and hockey were just not skills or pastimes shared by many in Japan.

After a stop in New Jersey and a return to Yokohama, the family moved to Canada, Suzuki was eager to get back on the ice and showcase her skills, but she was in for a few surprises. Not only was the game strategy very different in Canada, but so was the roster. She was in U13 and, for the first time, playing on an all-girls team.

“Before going to my very first practice [in Belleville, Ontario], I was thinking there is no way this small of a town can put together a hockey team with just girls, who are as good as me,” Suzuki remembers with a laugh. “And then I went and they were all better than me and I realized there was so much more to it.”

Suzuki says that moment changed a lot for her, and she embraced the more competitive environment of Canadian hockey. Her newfound passion for the game, combined with years of skill development abroad, meant she was a dynamic player who found a lot of success as she grew, ultimately landing with the University of Guelph in U SPORTS.

“We could tell that her passion for the game was the main drive for her desire to reach her full potential,” says Katie Mora, head coach of the Gryphons. “Chi became an impact player for us … and evolved as a leader on the team, being someone that was looked upon for her work ethic and instilling belief in her teammates.”

That work ethic prompted Mora to recommend Suzuki for the Creating Coaches program. Launched in 2021 through a partnership between Hockey Canada, U SPORTS and the Hockey Canada Foundation, Creating Coaches provides training and mentorship to active U SPORTS student-athletes who are looking to begin their coaching careers.

“I learned so much about myself as a player and as a person just being in the game from a completely different perspective,” Suzuki says. “I’m a very emotional player … but then coaching, there’s something about it.

“I had the patience that I never had for myself and I had the positivity that I was never able to give myself.”

With her university degree complete, Suzuki will be using all she learned in Creating Coaches to continue to build her hockey community and her role within it. A role, Mora says, is vital to the sustainability of the game.

“Having coaches and players from non-traditional hockey backgrounds provides different perspectives and allows for deeper, more meaningful collaboration,” Mora explains. “It also creates role models in the sport that inspire an even broader audience that can now see a clear pathway in their sport.”

Suzuki doesn’t see herself as a role model for young Japanese hockey players, despite having made an appearance on the national team at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship. She does, however, think her journey could be used as a guide for those looking to advance in the game.

“I would love for [younger girls in Japan] to venture out and try and see what’s out there, the way I did,” Suzuki says, noting that the game is played so differently in North America than in Japan.

At the core, though, we’re all just speaking one language – hockey.

Here we go. The playoffs at the 2025 IIHF World Championship get underway Thursday with Canada’s National Men’s Team taking on co-host Denmark in the quarterfinals at Jyske Bank Boxen.

Last Game

Canada bounced back with a 5-3 win over Sweden to earn top spot in Group A. Travis Sanheim got Canada on the board only 18 seconds into the game, with Tyson Foerster and Ryan O’Reilly making it a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes. Macklin Celebrini buried a pass from Sidney Crosby for the game-winning goal and Nathan MacKinnon scored early in the third period. Jordan Binnington made 25 saves in his third start.

It was a thrilling end to the preliminary round for Denmark, defeating Germany 2-1 in a shootout to advance to the quarterfinals. Nikolaj Ehlers scored for Denmark to tie the game in the third period. Frederik Dichow was perfect in the shootout while Nick Olesen and Joachim Blichfeld scored to help the Danes lock up fourth place in Group B.

Last Meeting

Canada and Denmark clashed in the preliminary round last year, with the Canadians recording a 5-1 win. Connor Bedard scored twice and had an assist, Dylan Cozens and Pierre-Luc Dubois had power-play goals and Dawson Mercer got an empty-net goal to round out the scoring. Jordan Binnington made 19 saves between the pipes and Canada outshot Denmark 42-20.

What to Watch

With Bo Horvat missing the remainder of the tournament, Porter Martone has been added to Canada’s roster. The 18-year-old had close to nine minutes of ice time in his first game, lining up alongside Brayden Schenn and Phillip Danault on the fourth line. It has been a busy 13 months internationally for Martone; after captaining Canada to gold at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship and becoming Canada’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament, he wore the Maple Leaf at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, contributing a goal in three games. Martone is expected to hear his name called early at the NHL Draft next month. With the preliminary round complete, Canada has three players in the top 10 of tournament scoring. MacKinnon is second with seven goals and 13 points, Travis Konecny is fourth with three goals and 12 points (and is tied for the most assists with nine), and Crosby is seventh with four goals and 11 points.

The latest—and biggest—addition to Denmark’s roster was Ehlers, who was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. Off the plane and onto the ice, Ehlers had an immediate impact with his crucial tying goal against Germany. The 29-year-old had 24 goals and 63 points with the Jets this year. Another player with NHL experience on the Danes’ roster is Jonas Røndbjerg. The 26-year-old suited up for 13 games with the Vegas Golden Knights this season and he had 11 goals and 26 points with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.

A Look Back

This will be the 10th time these teams have met at the IIHF World Championship, and Canada has had the upper hand with seven wins on its record.

The Canadians have shut out the Danes twice: in their first matchup in 1949, Canada won 47-0. More recently, in 2019, Canada blanked Denmark 5-0. Sam Reinhart scored twice, and Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jared McCann and Jonathan Marchessault also found the back of the net.

All-time record: Canada leads 7-1-1
Canada goals: 82
Denmark goals: 12

It’s a battle for the top of Group A as Canada’s National Men’s Team takes on co-host Sweden to conclude the preliminary round Tuesday at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

Last Game

Canada is looking to rebound from its first loss of the tournament: a 2-1 shootout decision against Finland on Monday. Ryan O’Reilly opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal in the second period, but Patrick Puistola tied the game in the third to force extra time. Kent Johnson scored in the shootout, but Finland scored twice on Marc-André Fleury, who made 20 saves in regulation and overtime.

Sweden remained undefeated in the preliminary round by shutting out France 4-0 in its last game on Saturday. Lucas Raymond and Emil Heineman scored within a minute of each other in the first period. Elias Lindholm notched a power-play goal in the middle frame and Isac Lundestrom rounded out the scoring early in the third period. Samuel Ersson made 15 saves for the shutout.

Last Meeting

The bronze medal was up for grabs when these two teams last faced off a year ago and Canada dropped a 4-2 decision. Carl Grundström got the Swedes on the board first, but Dylan Cozens and Pierre-Luc Dubois responded to give Canada a 2-1 lead early in the third period. Erik Karlsson tied the game, Grundström scored again and Marcus Johansson added an empty-net goal to earn the Swedes bronze. Jordan Binnington made 29 saves for the Canadians.

What to Watch

It’s a milestone day for Ryan O’Reilly, who will pass Ryan Smyth for the most games played by a Canadian at the IIHF World Championship. The Swedish showdown will be the 62nd game for O’Reilly in his Men’s Worlds career, dating back to his first appearance in 2012. In total, the 34-year-old has 18 goals and 42 points in 61 games. O’Reilly has represented his country on multiple occasions, including the 2008 World U17 Hockey Challenge, 2009 IIHF World U18 Championship, 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament and seven editions of the IIHF World Championship.

Sweden has the most active NHL players other than Canada, with 21 players deciding to compete on home ice. Boston Bruins forward Elias Lindholm leads Sweden with six goals and 10 points through six prelim games. The most recent additions to the team are Rasmus Sandin and William Karlsson, who are both coming off of second-round exits in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The duo was added to Sweden’s roster on Sunday and will likely play their first game of the tournament against Canada. Sandin had four goals and 30 points with the Washington Captials this season, while Karlsson had nine goals and 20 points with the Vegas Golden Knights.

A Look Back

No opponent has been a more frequent foe for Canada at the IIHF World Championship than Sweden; Tuesday's game will mark the 70th meeting between the longtime rivals, dating back to a scoreless tie in 1931.

Canada has had the upper-hand in the matchup since 2000, owning a 12-6 record since the beginning of the millennium. The most recent win against the Swedes was a 4-3 overtime victory in the quarterfinals in 2022, when Drake Batherson sent Canada through to the semifinals with a goal 43 seconds into overtime.

All-time record: Canada leads 36-28-5 (3-3 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 244
Sweden goals: 195

Canada’s National Men’s Team faces a familiar foe in Finland on Monday as it looks to remain undefeated in the preliminary round at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

Last Game

Canada had a strong showing against Slovakia on Saturday, shutting out the Slovaks 7-0 to improve to 5-0 at Avicii Arena. Sidney Crosby recorded two goals and two assists, connecting with linemate Macklin Celebrini (1-2—3) twice during the game. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, Brandon Montour and Tyson Foerster rounded out the scoring, and Jordan Binnington made 14 saves in his second start.

Finland was also in action on Saturday, earning a 2-1 win over Latvia. Juuso Parssinen opened the scoring in the second period and Mikko Lehtonen doubled the Finnish lead on the power play midway through the final frame. Juuse Saros made 34 saves for the win.

Last Meeting

Canada and Finland were preliminary-round opponents one year ago, with the Canadians recording a 5-3 win. The Finns took an early 2-0 lead, but Dylan Cozens and Brandon Tanev tied it up before the first intermission. Jesse Puljujärvi gave Finland another lead before Canada responded with unanswered goals from Owen Power, Brandon Hagel and Dawson Mercer. Jordan Binnington made 29 saves.

What to Watch

Having so many talented and experienced leaders on Canada’s National Men’s Team means a fantastic opportunity for young players to learn from the best. Although there may be almost 20 years between them, Celebrini and Crosby have connected as linemates and teammates. After Celebrini sent a no-look pass to set up Crosby for a goal, the captain returned the favour to set up the 18-year-old for his second goal of the tournament. Together, the duo has six goals and 14 points and are a combined plus-14 in five games.

Finland has six active NHL players on its roster. Up front, the Finns have Eeli Tolvanen, who had 23 goals and 25 points with the Seattle Kraken this season, and Chicago Blackhawks centre Teuvo Teravainen (15-43—58). In between the pipes, Canada will likely face Saros; the 30-year-old started 58 games for the Nashville Predators this season, registering a 2.98 goals-against average and .896 save percentage.

A Look Back

The Canadians and Finns have certainly been familiar foes at Men’s Worlds. In fact, only Sweden (69 GP) has been a more frequent opponent for Canada than Finland, with the teams set to meet for a 56th time in Stockholm.

The last time they faced off in Sweden was back in 1989, with the Canadians opening their tournament with a 6-4 win over the Finns. Canada and Finland have also met six times in the gold medal game (1994, 2007, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022), with the Canadians holding a 4-2 record in those medal matchups.

All-time record: Canada leads 39-14-2 (3-3 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 285
Finland goals: 125