OTTAWA — Easton Cowan scored a hat trick to lead Canada to a commanding 7-1 victory over Switzerland during a pre-tournament game held on Thursday at TD Place. This match is part of Canada’s preparation for the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championships.
Canada showcased its scoring prowess by netting three goals within just 82 seconds late in the first period, pulling away decisively. Alongside Cowan, who has been proving himself as one of the team's offensive leaders, Brayden Yager, Andrew Gibson, Berkly Catton, and Caden Price also found the back of the net.
Reflecting on his performance, Cowan stated, “I felt like I played well defensively which led to the offensive chances, and I was happy withthat and obviously was able to find the back of the net.” Switzerland's only goal came from Leo Braillard, who managed to score amid Canada’s dominant play.
Canadian head coach Dave Cameron praised the team's ability to generate offense after struggling for the first few minutes. "We were able to generate some offence after the first few minutes, which generated some emotion from our guys and we were able to build our game from there," he remarked. This victory marks the first of three warm-up games for the Canadians, who will face Sweden next on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Canada's expectations are particularly high for this year's championship as they prepare for their preliminary round opener against Finland on Boxing Day at the Canadian Tire Centre. The stakes are amplified for this World Junior Championship like never before, as the event will be held on home soil.
Brayden Yager, Winnipeg Jets prospect, has been recognized as the captain of Team Canada's World Junior team. Yager, who is returning to the tournament after being part of last year's squad, led the team with two goals and five points. The expectations for this year’s tournament weigh heavily on Yager's shoulders, as experienced players are expected to uplift the Canadian team.
Having already captained the Moose Jaw Warriors at the commencement of the season, where he scored 11 goals and 30 points before transferring to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Yager has experience steering teams through pressure-filled situations. He will be supported by alternate captains Calum Ritchie of the Colorado Avalanche and Tanner Molendyk from the Nashville Predators.
The leadership group within Team Canada is set to play a significant role as they seek to reclaim gold after last year's disappointing knockout stage elimination. Fans are hopeful and excited to see how Yager’s offensive skills combined with Cowan's dynamic gameplay will contribute to Canada’s success this season.
Cowan's recent performances can be linked to his rise through the ranks of the OHL, where he has made his mark as one of the most promising young stars. His determination and consistent improvement on the ice have culminated in this much-anticipated tournament appearance.
This significant anticipation rivals the spirited competition brewing among the teams for this prestigious title. Canada’s recent warm-up victories demonstrate their potential for high-level play, placing them among the favorites.
On another note, the German team secured their own pre-tournament victory by shutting out Kazakhstan 4-0 earlier, showing they too are serious contenders heading to the tournament.
Fans eagerly await the opening matchup against Finland, where Canada's driving goal will be to achieve victory and set the tone for the remainder of the tournament. The pressure will rise as they face some of the toughest teams on this global stage.
The 2025 World Junior Hockey Championships not only showcase the skills of young hockey players but also become moments of national pride as countries rally to support their teams. Canada’s players carry the weight of these expectations, with hopes pinned on their ability to bring home gold this year.
With the preliminary games fast approaching and the excitement from fans building, all eyes will be on Team Canada to see how they fare on the ice as they aim to add more gold medals to the country's extensive trophy case.
