Breaking: Major blow to Team Canada roster ahead of World Juniors!

As fans across the nation awaits to see what the final roster of the Canadian team will look like for the World Junior Hockey Championship, the team has suffered a tough blow with the latest announcement. Los Angeles Kings forward Gabe Vilardi has been ruled out of the World Junior Hockey Championship, Team Canada announced on Tuesday, as reported by Mark Masters of TSN. 

Vilardi, who was selected 11th overall back in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, has spent a majority of the season sidelined with a back injury and on injured reserve with the Kings. And it seems like the ailment has gotten the best of him once more. 

With the announcement confirmed by Team Canada on Vilardi, it appears that the Canadian roster is now complete: Alexis Lafreniere has officially made the club. 

The 19-year-old talented forward made his professional debut on November 29 with the Kings' American Hockey League affiliate Ontario Reign. He joined the team on a conditioning stint. In four games with the Reign, Vilardi registered a single assist. He was then loaned to Team Canada for the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship...

Really tough news for the kid... 

Canada plays its first pre-tournament game on Wednesday in Victoria when they take on Slovakia. Canada then opens it defence of their world junior title on Boxing Day against Denmark.