2025 World Juniors; Early OHL Roster Options for Canada

With Canada's 2024 World Junior hopes coming to an end, here's any early look to 2025 & potential OHL players that we could see wearing the red & white next winter.

Canada didn't live up to expectations at this year's World Juniors, but there is a lot to be excited about when looking forward to the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa. 

There are several current OHL players that we can potentially see at the 2025 World Juniors. A lot of these players haven't even been drafted into the NHL yet, but the abundance of young talent in the OHL is extremely exciting. 

Here are five OHL players that have a high chance of wearing the red & white next winter in Ottawa (not including players on this year's team):

Michael Misa was drafted into the OHL with exceptional status back in 2022, and he has been a gift for the Saginaw Spirit ever since. Misa thinks the game at such an advanced level, and can do just about everything well in the offensive zone. He doesn't solely rely on his shot or his passing, but he can generate in hundreds of different ways.

He always seems to find himself in open areas with the puck. Misa possesses elite offensive spatial awareness, and the correct timing to jump into open areas before opponents can pressure him. Misa also plays a big game — he appears a whole lot taller than 6-foot-0. He is a tough customer in the corners, in front of the net, and in high traffic areas.

Misa is currently second on his team in scoring — behind another player on this list — with 39 points in 32 games. 

As potentially the youngest player on Canada's team next year, Misa fits the bill as an underager at the World Juniors. He will likely be one of Canada's top players, and has a very high chance to make this team with his mature game.

The London Knights defenceman is an early first round lock for the upcoming NHL Draft in Vegas, and should be a lock to make this roster. Looking at recent Canadian World Junior teams, they always like to take some big defenders that are very reliable in their own zone. Sam Dickinson will be exactly that.

The 6-foot-3 defender possesses great poise and patience, he plays a calm game and rarely overthinks or hesitates. His presence on the back-end is very mature, even as a seventeen-year-old. Dickinson has high offensive upside as well. He has high awareness and vision in the attacking zone, creating lots of plays in London from the point.

Dickinson should be a huge piece of Canada's blue line next winter, and he is the type of player that you want on the ice late in the game — to score a goal, or defend a lead.

Offensive catalyst Zayne Parekh would be a dream power play quarterback for Canada's World Junior team, something they were missing this year. Similarly to Dickinson, Parekh is seemingly a lock to be selected in the first round at the NHL Draft.

Parekh's chances of making this team aren't guaranteed, as an eighteen-year-old, (likely) late first round pick. But nonetheless, Parekh's offensive talents are certainly special. He is second among all OHL defenders in points — with 45 points in 33 games in his second season with Saginaw. Parekh is one of the best offensive defencemen we've seen in recent years.

Sure, he's not the strongest in his own zone, but he has improved in that category a lot this season.

One of this year's biggest snubs was Denver Barkey, especially after his remarkable performance at Canada's Selection Camp. Barkey may only stand at 5-foot-9, but he is one of the best forwards in the OHL right now. His snub has only given him more motivation to prove others wrong, as he has skyrocketed up to 5th in points in the OHL. He has 11 points in 5 games since his cut from Canada's roster.

Barkey's offensive skillset is one of the best in the entire CHL, and he certainly does not play to his size. Barkey's compete level is off the charts, and he does everything at a high pace. He showed this all through camp, but in the end it wasn't enough.

The Philadelphia Flyers prospect will be determined to make this roster — expecting that he is invited back to the initial selection camp. 

Another undersized player that has exceeded expectations is Luca Pinelli, captain of the Ottawa 67's. He is also 5-foot-9 — and similarly to Barkey — his compete level is through the roof. Pinelli is only 3 goals away from his career high in goals — with 26 currently. He has been shooting the lights out in Ottawa, and that is what makes his potential exciting. 

Pinelli can snipe from just about anywhere on the ice, and his shiftiness makes him difficult for opponents to track. He has elite edges and high puck control which is a handful for defenders. 

Playing for Canada at the World Juniors next year, Pinelli would be a great middle-six forward and power play threat. He can add that scoring punch, but he can also generate energy throughout the lineup.