Let’s not beat around the bush here.
Barring some utterly bizarre turn of events, Moose Jaw Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk will be a member of Team Canada when the World Junior Hockey Championship begins on Boxing Day in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Given the pedigree, skill and notoriety the 19-year-old defenceman will be bringing into selection camp next week, Mateychuk will not only undoubtedly make the roster, he’ll also be a virtual lock to play significant and meaningful minutes throughout the tournament.
You wouldn’t know it talking to the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, though -- he’s looking at it like any other player trying to make a highly competitive team, with being one of the names on the roster when camp wraps on Dec. 13 his main goal.
“There are lots of emotions when you get a call like that and a chance to represent your country, it’s a huge opportunity and I’m very excited for what’s ahead for sure,” Mateychuk said after practice on Thursday afternoon. “It’s one of those things where you never know what’s going to happen, but you always have that feeling that when you get that call, you’re ready, so that’s just what I tried to keep in my head.”
Selection camp will take place Dec. 10-13 in Oakville, Ont., with the team announced at the conclusion of the event.
“The plan is to pretty much just play my game and compete,” Mateychuk said of the three-day sprint. “It’s going to be high competition and everybody is trying to make the team out there and represent our country, so it brings out the best in you and I imagine it’ll be the same for everyone else.”
Mateychuk has been on Hockey Canada’s radar his entire junior career and won gold with Team Canada at the 2021 World U18 Hockey Championship, though he was unable to play in the gold medal game due to injury.
“It was a great feeling winning gold at the U18 and every time you put on that jersey is an honour,” Mateychuk said. “It’ll be amazing if it happens this time and I’ll do everything I can to help us win gold.”
Mateychuk has been a roll since returning to the Warriors from Blue Jackets camp and has set a modern-day Warriors record with points in 22 straight games -- every contest he’s played this season.
His six goals and 34 points in that span are second among defenceman.
The camp will include a pair of games against the USports All Stars -- including former Warrior goaltender and Brock University standout Connor Ungar -- on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.
Canada’s National Junior Team will travel to Malmo, Sweden on Dec. 14 for a pre-tournament camp ahead of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. As part of its preparations, Canada will open its pre-tournament schedule against a U25 team from Denmark on Dec. 19 before facing Switzerland on Dec. 22 and the United States on Dec. 23.
The 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship begins on Boxing Day when Canada takes on Finland at 7:30 a.m. Moose Jaw time.
