Prince George hockey fans will be watching the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship with a lot more interest.
That’s because PG Cougars defenceman Carson Carels and star goaltender Josh Ravensbergen were named to the 25-player roster.
Canada kicks off round-robin play tonight (Friday) against the Czech Republic at 5:30 Pacific Time.
Ravensbergen, a 2025 first-round pick of the San Jose Sharks owns a 16-6-0-0 record, a 2.50 GAA, and a .921 save percentage, carrying an eight-game winning streak.
The North Vancouver product has previously attended the World Junior Summer Showcase in each of the last two years.
For Carels, the selection caps off what has been an incredible sophomore campaign. The A-rated prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft has produced 29 points (8–21–29) in 28 games.
In late November, he represented Team CHL at the CHL/USA Top Prospects Challenge, where he tallied two assists and drew significant attention from NHL scouts.
The Cypress River, MB product is no stranger to the national stage, having won gold with Canada at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship.
Carels is also one of two underage skaters on the roster, which also includes fellow blueliner Keaton Verhoeff, a former Victoria Royal now starring at the University of North Dakota.
This year’s tournament is being held in Minnesota.
Something going on in the Nechako Valley area you think people should know about?
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