Team Canada cuts three 1st round picks from World Juniors team

This just in, Hockey Canada has cut 1st round NHL picks Marek Vanacker, Jake O'Brien and Jackson Smith from the roster for the team's 2026 World Juniors roster.

From Hockey Canada:

Vanacker (London, ON) was drafted 27th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024 and is haing an outstanding season with the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs. He has a ridiculous 26 goals and 41 points in 26 games.

O'Brien (Toronto, ON) is also a member of the Bulldogs, tearing it up alongside Vanacker with 11 goals and 46 points in 27 games. He was drafted 8th overall in this past summer's draft.

Smith (Calgary, AB) was drafted 14th overall in last summer's draft and has 3 goals and 9 points in 14 games with Pennsylvania State.

Canadian hockey fans will surely remember that last year Hockey Canada neglected to include 1st rounders Brett Sennecke, Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk on their roster and... well... the results speak for themselves.