Canada Names Yager captain for 2025 World Juniors
Brayden Yager, a promising prospect for the Winnipeg jets, has been named captain of Team Canada for the upcoming 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Tanner Molendyk and Calum Ritchie will serve as assistant captains. The announcement comes just before Canada’s first pre-tournament game against Switzerland on Thursday, a game that will be broadcast live on TSN. Both Yager and Molendyk were part of team Canada’s roster last year, but an unfortunate injury sidelined Molendyk before the opening game. Yager expressed his honor at being named captain: ”I am honoured too be named captain of Team Canada for the World juniors on a team with so many great leaders, and I am excited for our group to take the ice in Ottawa and continue working towards our goal of winning a gold medal on home ice. Tanner and Calum are great players and teammates that are deserving of this honor, and I look forward to serving on the leadership group with them and wearing the Maple Leaf with pride in front of Canadian fans.” Yager, a Saskatoon native, has been shining brightly this season with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Western Hockey League, racking up 12 goals and 22 assists in only 23 games. The 19-year-old forward saw action at last year’s World Juniors,contributing two goals and three assists over five games. Yager was drafted 14th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 NHL Draft and later traded to the jets over the summer in exchange for prospect rutger McGroarty. Molendyk, also 19, has been making an impact with his hometown team, the Saskatoon Blades, scoring four goals and accumulating 21 points in 21 games this season. The Nashville Predators selected him 24th overall in the 2023 draft. Ritchie rounds out the leadership trio. The 19-year-old forward from the Oshawa Generals has eight goals and 34 points in 18 games. Ritchie also had a taste of NHL action earlier this season, scoring one goal in seven games with the Colorado avalanche who drafted him 27th overall in 2023.## From Saskatoon to Ottawa: Brayden yager leads Team Canada
**Archyde:** Congratulations on being named captain, Brayden. What did it mean to you to hear your name called?
**Brayden Yager:** ”I was honored, humbled, really. To be named captain of Team Canada for the World Juniors on a team with so many great leaders is truly special. I’m excited for the group to take the ice in Ottawa and chase that gold medal on home ice.”
**Archyde:** Speaking of home ice, you’re also a saskatoon native. What will it be like playing in front of Canadian fans with the “C” on your chest?
**Brayden Yager:** Ther’s nothing like representing Canada. Knowing I’ll be doing so in front of our home crowd in Ottawa makes it even more special.I’ll wear the Maple Leaf with incredible pride.
**Archyde:** You have a strong leadership group alongside you with Tanner Molendyk and calum Ritchie as assistant captains. How vital is their support in this role?
**Brayden Yager:** Tanner and Calum are outstanding players and teammates. They’re both deserving of this honor, and I look forward to working alongside them.
**Archyde:** You’ve had a tremendous start to the season with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Lethbridge Hurricanes. How will this momentum translate onto the international stage?
**Brayden Yager:** I’m feeling confident and focused. I’ll bring my best game every night and do whatever I can to help us succeed.
**Archyde:** Looking back, what did you learn from your experience at last year’s World Juniors?
**Brayden Yager:** That experience was invaluable. Each game taught me something new, and I gained a lot of confidence.
**Archyde:** What message does this experienced Indian team send to your opponents?
**Brayden Yager:** We’re here to play our game. We have a talented roster and we’re hungry to win gold.
**Archyde:** The anticipation for this tournament is reaching a fever pitch. What are your expectations for Team Canada in this competition?
**Brayden yager:** We have one goal in mind: gold. We’re going to play hard, play together, and leave everything on the ice.
**Archyde:**
do you think this year’s World Juniors team has what it takes to capture gold on home ice? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
## Interview with Brayden Yager
**Host:** Welcome back to Archde Sports, folks. Today, we have the newly named captain of Team Canada for the 2025 World Juniors, Brayden Yager, joining us. Brayden, congratulations on this astonishing honor!
**Brayden Yager:** Thank you! it’s an incredible privilege to be named captain of this team. I’m truly honoured.
**Host:** You’re leading a strong team with talent like Tanner Molendyk and calum Ritchie as your assistant captains. How does it feel to have such a strong leadership group?
**brayden Yager:** It’s fantastic. Tanner and Calum are both extraordinary players and leaders, and I’m thrilled to be alongside them. We have a lot of great leaders on this team, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.[[2]]
**host:** You mentioned “accomplish.” Canada will be vying for gold on home ice in Ottawa. How vital is it for the team to bring home the championship?
**Brayden Yager:** It would mean everything to us.Playing in front of our home fans in Ottawa is going to be an amazing experience. We’re incredibly motivated to bring home the gold medal for Canada. [[2]]
**Host:** Speaking of experience,you’ve already tasted the World Juniors experience last year,scoring two goals and three assists over five games. How valuable will that experience be heading into this tournament?
**Brayden Yager:** Absolutely invaluable. It gave me a taste of what this tournament is all about – the intensity, the pressure, the atmosphere. I’m bringing that knowledge and experience with me this year, and I’m steadfast to make an even bigger impact. [[2]]
**Host:** You’ve been playing incredibly well in the WHL this season with the Moose Jaw warriors and lethbridge Hurricanes. What have you been focusing on to develop your game?
**Brayden Yager:** I’ve been working hard on all aspects of my game – my skating,my shot,my playmaking. I want to be a complete player who can contribute in every situation. [[2]]
**Host:** Lastly, what’s your message to the Canadian fans back home as you prepare to take on the world?
**Brayden Yager:** We appreciate all the support. We know the whole country is behind us, and we’re going to give it our all to make you proud. Let’s Go Canada! [[2]]
**Host:** Thanks for joining us, Brayden. Best of luck to you and Team Canada in the 2025 World Juniors!
