Three players, including two Brantford Bulldogs, cut from Canada’s World Junior team

The ice at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ont. was photographed on Dec. 17, 2025 ahead of a pre-tournament World Juniors game. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News)

Canada’s national IIHF World Junior team is shaping up as three players have been cut from the roster.

In a social media post on Thursday, Hockey Canada announced Jake O’Brien, Jackson Smith and Marek Vanacker had all been returned. Vanacker and O’Brien play for the Brantford Bulldogs while Smith is with Penn State University’s team.

The Bulldogs said both O’Brien and Vanacker will be playing this weekend as the team heads to Kingston and Ottawa.

Other local players still in contention for a spot on the team include Kitchener Rangers’ defenceman Cameron Ried, Brantford Bulldogs Ben Danford and Jett Luchanko as well as Elmira native Brady Martin.

The cuts came after Canada beat Sweden 2-1 in a pre-tournament game at the Aud in Kitchener on Wednesday.

Martin had a particularly spectacular showing, netting both of Canada’s goals.

Several other players from local teams are also vying for spots on their home country’s teams.

Canada’s team will hit the ice on Boxing Day in an 8:30 p.m. game against Czechia.