Matt Poitras Assigned to Team Canada for World Juniors, ‘Dream Come True’
The 19-year-old center will represent Team Canada in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Matt Poitras Assigned to Team Canada for World Juniors, ‘Dream Come True’BOSTON – Matt Poitras sat in the middle of the Spoked-B at Warrior Ice Arena Monday morning and led the Boston Bruins’ stretch at the end of practice following his three shootout attempts that were stopped by Jeremy Swayman. When the ‘USA’ chants emerged after the Alaska native Swayman’s third save, it was clear: The 19-year-old Poitras was off to Sweden to represent Team Canada in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championships.
The Bruins and general manager Don Sweeney confirmed the news soon after.
“It’s quite an accomplishment for all hockey players to get the chance to represent their country on one of the biggest stages. Now what’s unique is that fact that he’s played in the NHL,” Sweeney said Monday.
“He should take those things that happen in our locker room and impart them on his new teammates and lead from the front, and that’s what we’re hoping for.”
Poitras, who has five goals and eight assists through 27 games with the B’s, has recently become familiar with the realities of being a rookie in the NHL: it’s hard, really hard. Between scheduled rest days, frequent scratches and shortened third-period minutes, Poitras has been forced to reassess his game while still sticking to the things that earned him a roster spot out of training camp.
The World Junior Championships, and the opportunity to skate for Canada, may just give Poitras the space to rediscover his spark away from the professional magnifying glass.
“You obviously never want to leave the NHL, but I’m excited to get over there and play for my country. Never complain about that, it’s a dream come true,” Poitras said Monday. “Just keep building my confidence. I’ve established some habits here, and keep those habits up.”
Sweeney made it clear that Poitras would be rejoining the Bruins after his stint with Team Canada. The World Juniors, which is being held in Gothenburg, Sweden this year, runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. Depending on the tournament outcome, Poitras will likely be able to return to the Black and Gold on Jan. 8 when the team faces the Colorado Avalanche on the road.
“He’s coming back and joining the Boston Bruins and [will] continue along the path that he’s been, which has been outstanding so far,” Sweeney said. “I think the fact that he’s coming back to join our team probably takes a little pressure off of that. And he is – he’s coming back, he’s earned that, we’ve made that commitment to him.”
As for how Poitras’ absence affects the Bruins, the team has found strength in its center depth with players like Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic stepping up while Pavel Zacha recovers from his upper-body injury. Sweeney said the Bruins are “a little more comfortable” with where they are as a team now, making the decision to send Poitras to Sweden a bit easier.
This year’s World Junior Championships is also the cut off for Poitras’ eligibility to participate in the tournament as it’s for players under 20 years old.
“It definitely feels good that I’m going to be coming back here after, and I’m just going to keep working and competing every day to earn more and more ice time and try and build confidence in me from the coaches,” Poitras said.
Team Canada is looking for the three-peat in this year’s World Juniors Championships after winning gold in both 2022 and 2023. Canada left one forward spot open on its official roster announced Dec. 13, which has now been claimed by Poitras.
Poitras is joining a talent-filled group with five other OHL players – Owen Beck (Peterborough; MTL), Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener; SEA), Easton Cowan (London; TOR), Oliver Bonk (London; PHI) and Owen Allard (Sault Ste. Marie; 2024 Draft). None of Poitras’ former OHL Guelph Storm teammates made Team Canada.
Poitras will also get the chance to play with the projected No.1 overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, Macklin Celebrini. The 17-year-old is a freshman at Boston University this season and has posted 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) through 15 games.
While the circumstances of Poitras’ slumping performance with the Bruins no doubt factored into the decision to assign him to the World Juniors, it’s an opportunity young hockey players dream of, and Poitras is making it a reality.
“Every year around Christmas time it’s the best time of the year because Boxing Day, and you get to turn on the World Juniors,” Poitras said. “I’ve been watching Canada play every single year since I don’t know how long, so it’s a good opportunity. I’m very excited.”