(Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Hurricanes forward Brayden Yager named captain of Canada’s world junior team

Dec 19, 2024 | 11:39 AM

A Lethbridge Hurricanes forward will be taking on a big leadership role for the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championships.

On Thursday, December 19, 2024, it was announced that Brayden Yager will be the captain for Canada at the tournament held in Ottawa from December 26 – January 5.

Yager is one of Canada’s forwards returning from last year’s roster, where he put up five points in as many games as Canada suffered an early elimination.

Yager has enjoyed a highly successful WHL career, spending parts of five seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors before being traded to the Hurricanes in a blockbuster deal on December 2. He has four points in two games for the Hurricanes since the deal, including a three assist night against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

READ MORE: Hurricanes acquire Brayden Yager, Jackson Unger from Warriors in 11–piece blockbuster deal

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His high level of production led to Yager being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He was then dealt to the Winnipeg Jets ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Joining Yager in Canada’s leadership group are Tanner Molendyk of the Saskatoon Blades, and Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals. Molendyk also made the team last year, but was sidelined with an injury before he could play any games.

Canada will play its first pre-tournament exhibition game on Thursday, December 19 against Switzerland, a team that also features a Lethbridge Hurricanes player in forward Leo Braillard.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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