Hockey Canada has bolstered its roster for the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship with the addition of forwards Porter Martone and Dawson Mercer. The tournament is set to take place in Switzerland from May 15 to 31, covering cities like Zurich and Fribourg.
Porter Martone: Rising Star
Martone had an impressive season with Michigan State in the NCAA during 2025-26. He scored 25 goals and accumulated 50 points over 35 games. Recently, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. On March 29, he joined the team and participated in nine regular-season games, netting four goals and ten points.
- 2025 NHL Draft: 6th overall pick
- Playoff Appearance: 10 games, 2 goals, 3 assists
- World Junior Championship: Captained Canada to bronze, led the tournament in goals with 6
Dawson Mercer: Experience on the Ice
Mercer is entering his fifth season with the New Jersey Devils. In the 2025-26 season, he recorded 20 goals and 42 points across 82 games. His experience at the IIHF Worlds includes two previous campaigns, where he earned a silver medal in 2022 and a fourth-place finish in 2024.
Team Leadership
As preparations intensify for the championship, the Canadian team named San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini as captain. John Tavares and Ryan O’Reilly will serve as alternate captains for the tournament.
Group B Overview
Canada is entering the tournament as part of Group B, competing against:
- Sweden (reigning bronze medalist)
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Slovakia
- Norway
- Slovenia
- Italy
Canada’s first game is scheduled for Friday against Sweden, promising to be an exciting matchup.
