Connor Bedard is reminded of this every time he comes home.
His gold medal from the last World Junior Championship – a tournament played in the middle of summer and which almost did not take place due to COVID-19 – hangs in the bedroom of the 17-year-old skater.
Whoever could be the first pick in the 2023 draft wants even more.
“It feels like the feeling of winning it lasts 10 minutes,” he said. You want another immediately. »
He could do it in the next few weeks.
Bedard leads an all-star Canadian delegation that will try to lead the country to a 20th podium of this competition which will take off on December 26, in Halifax and Moncton.
In addition to Bedard, who is already compared to the best in the profession, Canada has a trio of players on loan from the NHL in Shane Wright, Dylan Guenther and Brandt Clarke.
“The World Juniors, we grew up watching this tournament and dreaming of playing there,” said Wright, the Seattle Kraken’s fourth overall pick in the last draft. It is a very great honour. »
“We don’t want to sell the bear skin before we kill it,” added Guenther, an Arizona Coyotes forward. But to get one last chance to win this tournament is special. »
According to Bedard, Canada’s roster will rely on “a bit of everything.”
“We have big players, speed, lots of skill. To get these NHL players is huge. They are all impact players in the best league in the world. »
Adam Fantilli — who is also in the discussion for the first pick in the upcoming draft — was also impressed with the roster assembled by Hockey Canada.
“These are the best players in the country all gathered in one place. I can’t wait to see what all can do. »
Canada kicks off its tournament on Monday against the Czech Republic. Their group, which will play its matches at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, also includes Germany, Austria and Sweden.
In the other group, which will play its matches at the Avenir Center in Moncton, the United States, Finland, Latvia, Slovakia and Switzerland will compete for victory.
Russia is still persona non grata due to the invasion of Ukraine. The 2023 tournament was supposed to take place in Novosibirsk and Omsk, but the International Federation moved it to North America.
Canada, favorites to win, will have to manage the pressure and expectations created by playing the tournament at home.
“It’s a privilege,” said head coach Dennis Williams. You want to find yourself in this kind of situation. We have to make sure our players are able to get out of their comfort zone. »
Hockey Canada Director of Player Personnel Alan Millar confirms that talent was the focus when assembling the team.
“At the same time, we wanted to have a heavy training, he explained. We want to be fast, have players who play hard and we want our opponents to be on our heels. »
Gold, as in all tournaments in which Canada participates, is the goal.
“All the guys coming back want that,” Bedard said of the eight returning players from the previous edition. For newcomers, we want them to experience this. »