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Canada receives Coyotes forward Barrett Hayton for World Juniors

Canada's bid to win the World Junior Hockey Championships received a major boost with Arizona Coyotes forward Barrett Hayton joining the team. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Canada’s bid to capture gold at the World Junior Hockey Championships improved immensely on Thursday, as the Arizona Coyotes loaned Barrett Hayton to the national team for the duration of the tournament.

Hayton, selected fifth overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, posted one goal and four points in 14 games with the Coyotes this season, averaging just over 11 minutes per game. He will almost certainly factor in Canada’s top-six, as the team looks to overcome last year’s disappointing sixth-place finish.

“This is a great opportunity for Barrett to continue his development," Coyotes general manager John Chayka said in a statement. "Barrett will be one of Team Canada's leaders and will play a significant role on the team against some of the best young talent in the world. He will gain invaluable experience and will return to the Coyotes after the tournament to help us the rest of the season."

Canada is scheduled to finalize its roster Thursday, with Hayton and Detroit Red Wings prospect Joe Veleno providing the team with some professional experience.

Hayton should thrive on the larger ice surface, is capable of pulling off a spectacular goal every now and then and should build upon his showing in 2019, where he posted four assists in five games for Canada.

All of last year’s returnees, Hayton included, should be considered locks to join the roster, and he ought to rejoin Veleno, Alexis Lafreniere, Ty Smith, and Jared McIsaac.

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