World Juniors: Canada Sees Instant Top-Line Chemistry And The Cowan Show In Pre-Tournament Games

So far, so good for Canada in the lead-up to the world juniors.

After ratcheting up the intensity from their 7-1 blowout over Switzerland to a close 4-2 decision over Sweden, there aren’t any alarm bells for the host nation yet. They’re scoring lots of goals, keeping pucks out of their net and keeping the fans in Ottawa happy to the tune of Great Big Sea’s Ordinary Day.

Before Canada hosts its final pre-tournament game versus Czechia on Monday at Canadian Tire Centre, here’s what we’ve learned so far from Canada’s two pre-tournament games.

Instant Chemistry For The Top Line

The immediate story for the Canadians has been the Easton Cowan, Calum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau line. Through two games, the trio has combined for 13 points.

“There’s three exceptional hockey players all with high hockey IQ, and they’ve been reading pretty well off one another,” coach Dave Cameron said after Thursday’s win.

Added captain Brayden Yager: “They look like they’re having fun out there and playing their game and obviously lots of creativity and offensive ability out there.”

Nadeau and Ritchie are two of Canada’s five players with pro experience, joining Jett Luchanko, Sawyer Mynio and Mathieu Cataford. After making his NHL debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in April, Nadeau has 15 points in 22 games with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves this season.

“The little details he has in his game really stand out to me, and (he’s got) that quick shot that he can get off from anywhere, so really fun playing with him here tonight,” Cowan said.

Ritchie has seven NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche under his belt, followed by 34 points in 18 games with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. He scored the fluky game-winner against Sweden.

Cowan said he thinks there’s more offense for his line to discover heading into the tournament.

“I felt like we showed a lot here tonight … we scored a couple goals obviously, but I felt like we could even get more.”

Related: World Juniors 2025: One Prospect To Watch From Every Western Conference NHL Team

Easton Cowan Leads The Way

The London Knights superstar and Maple Leafs prospect was held out of selection camp after an injury sustained on Dec. 7. All he’s done since is score four goals and five points in Canada’s two games. That included a hat trick against Switzerland.

“(Cowan) is driving that line right now, and so they were fun to watch,” Cameron said.

As much as his offense wowed the fans at TD Place, Yager said Cowan's all-around game deserves praise.

“His play without the puck is not talked about as much as it should be,” he said. “Obviously, three goals and you see him on the scoresheet pretty much every game, but his play in the D-zone is something I’ve noticed is a lot better. His 200-foot game has really grown.”

Cowan was close to making the Maple Leafs’ opening night roster in October, but the opportunity for the young right winger to develop one more year in the OHL and star in the World Junior Championship was more enticing for Toronto GM Brad Treliving.

With his NHL-ready shot and elite playmaking ability, it should surprise nobody if Cowan is one of the most productive players in this tournament.

Related: World Juniors: Canada's Easton Cowan Is A Potent Prospect In Progress

Goaltending Holds Steady

As is usually the case for best-on-best tournaments, Canada doesn’t require the best or even the second-best goaltending to win gold.

With a loaded roster from front to back, the team needs merely average netminding, and Carter George and Carson Bjarnason have been better than average so far.

George turned aside all 11 shots he faced against Switzerland, while Bjarnason allowed one goal on 10 shots faced between the two games. The 2025 NHL draft-eligible Jack Ivankovic saw 40 minutes of action against the Swedes, stopping 16 of 18 shots.

“It’s just the timely saves, that’s all you can really ask for,” Yager said.

George has the inside track on the starting job and will likely get reps in against Czechia in Canada’s final pre-tournament game tonight. The 6-foot-1 netminder was athletic and laser-focused on the puck against the Swiss, but the Czechs are a clear step up.

Related: Canada Announces 2025 World Juniors Roster: Reaction, Full List And Cuts

The Los Angeles Kings prospect (57th overall in 2024) credited his first pro training camp in September for giving him an extra edge.

“When I was in L.A., Darcy Kuemper was phenomenal with me,” George said. “I asked him any question – he was always open and always with me and gave me great advice, so I definitely have to thank him for that.”

Canada’s pre-tournament schedule has conveniently ramped up the intensity with each game, allowing the team to build up to their first game of the tournament against Finland on Boxing Day.

“The competition is gonna get steeper, and we have to get better,” Cameron said.

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