Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini expected to join Canada for 2024 IIHF World Championship

This marks the first time either prospect will have represented Canada at the men’s level. Bedard has played for Canada at the U-18 and U-20 level, which included his 23-point performance at the 2023 World Juniors that resulted in him having one of the best performances in tournament history. Bedard won gold at both World Juniors he participated in and helped the team win gold in 2021.

Bedard was drafted first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks last summer. He’s the frontrunner to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie after scoring 22 goals and 61 points in 67 games with the club this season.

Celebrini, meanwhile, is the top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft. Celebrini led Canada with eight points at the world juniors earlier this year, his first – and likely only – appearance at the U-20 level. Celebrini recently completed his freshman season with the NCAA’s Boston University Eagles, winning the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in men’s college hockey this year. With 32 goals in 38 games, no U-18 player has ever scored more goals than Celebrini, and only two have more points than his 64. The consensus No. 1 pick in this year’s NHL Draft is third in college scoring, earning himself the Tim Taylor Award as Rookie of the Year, among other awards.

Canada has advanced to the title game in each of the past four tournaments, winning twice against Finland (2021) and Germany last year.

Canada is expected to reveal it’s full lineup in the coming weeks in an attempt to win gold once again. With the 4 Nations Face-Off next year, and the Winter Olympics in 2026, the World Championship is one of the best opportunities for players to prove they’re worth to the Hockey Canada management staff in advance.