The quarter-finals of the 2026 IIHF World Championship are set to take place on Thursday, May 28, with four members of the Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks] and their teams partaking in the next stage of the tournament. Here’s how the four Canucks fared during the 2026 World Championship’s preliminary round. MAX SASSON, USA Sasson became a key piece of Team USA’s “identity line” early on, slotting into their bottom-six alongside Paul Cotter (New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils]) and Mathieu Olivier (Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets]). The Canucks forward skated in all of his team’s games during the preliminary round, averaging 13:53 minutes played per matchup (seventh-most among forwards on Team USA). He registered his first career World Championship point in a 5–1 win against Great Britain on May 17 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/karlsson-sasson-register-first-wins-of-the-tournament-canucks-at-the-2026-world-championship] and scored his first goal on May 20 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/sasson-scores-first-of-the-tournament-karlsson-nabs-two-assists-canucks-at-the-2026-world-championship] in the U.S.’s 4–3 overtime victory against Germany. LINUS KARLSSON, SWEDEN Throughout this year’s World Championship thus far, Karlsson has consistently stuck on Sweden’s second line alongside Jacob de la Rose, with their third linemate shifting on occasion. The duo started and ended the tournament with New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] forwards, beginning with Simon Holmström and ending with Emil Heineman. Through all seven games of the competition, Karlsson put together a goal and three assists in an average of 14:24 minutes played per game. The Canucks forward recorded his first World Championship point on opening day (May 15 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/raty-karlsson-score-first-career-points-at-the-worlds-canucks-at-the-2026-world-championship]) in a 5–3 loss to Canada and scored his first goal in a 6–2 win against Denmark on the 17th. FILIP HRONEK, CZECHIA Just like with the Canucks, Hronek has served as Czechia’s top-defenceman during this year’s tournament. While his defensive partners have varied with each game, for the majority of the preliminary round, Hronek has been paired with veteran defenceman Michal Kempný. The Canucks defenceman finished his first seven games of this year’s tournament with two assists and 14 shots on goal through an average of 24:11 minutes played per matchup. Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek (17) makes a pass against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/658142e5-68d0-465a-966c-7b9bc870fda5.jpeg] Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek (17) makes a pass against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images AATU RÄTY, FINLAND Räty has had a great start to his first career 2026 World Championship, playing a big role in Finland’s offence through their seven preliminary-round games. The Canucks forward put together a six-game point streak consisting of three goals and three assists. He scored his first career World Championship point and goal on opening day in a 3–1 win against Germany. Through seven games, he averaged 13:13 minutes played per matchup alongside a revolving door of linemates including Jesse Puljujärvi and Sakari Manninen. MAY 28 SCHEDULE: Finland vs. Czechia - 7:20 am PT Canada vs. USA - 7:20 am PT Sweden vs. Switzerland - 11:20 am PT Norway vs. Latvia - 11:20 am PT Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwr-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks]. Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/]: Vancouver Canucks Forwards Jake DeBrusk & Elias Pettersson Listed On NHL Insider's Latest Trade Board [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/vancouver-canucks-forwards-jake-debrusk-elias-pettersson-listed-on-nhl-insiders-latest-trade-board] Former Canucks In The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Vegas Sweeps Colorado To Advance To The Final [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/former-canucks-in-the-2026-stanley-cup-playoffs-vegas-sweeps-colorado-to-advance-to-the-final] Canucks Prospects At The 2026 Memorial Cup: Chiarot And Kitchener Advance To Final After 3–2 Win Against Chicoutimi [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/canucks-prospects-at-the-2026-memorial-cup-chiarot-and-kitchener-advance-to-final-after-3-2-win-against-chicoutimi] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*twovkp*_ga*MTk0NDM0Mzk0OS4xNzQ2MjQ0ODA2*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NjEyNTE0MDEkbzU3MCRnMSR0MTc2MTI1MjA1MyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum. The Hockey News [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/377c69e3-5bd2-4aca-8d83-8e0e40846bf6.jpeg] The Hockey News
