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Canada Red Downs Canada White 8-4 To Win Bronze At The 2026 U17 World Challenge

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Canada Red and Canada White face off during the 2026 U17 World Challenge bronze medal game in Oakville
Canada Red celebrates bronze at the 2026 U17 World Challenge. Photo via Hockey Canada.

Canada Red closed its week in Oakville with the medal it could still win, beating Canada White 8-4 on Saturday afternoon after a seven goal first period, with captain Liam Pue scoring twice and Owen Loftus making 36 saves to secure bronze at the 2026 U17 World Challenge.

Canada Red has won the bronze medal at the 2026 U17 World Challenge after doubling up Canada White 8-4 in the bronze medal game on Saturday afternoon.

After a combined seven-goal opening period, Reid Nicol (Brandon, MB/Everett, WHL) netted the eventual game-winner for Canada Red just over two minutes into the middle frame. Captain Liam Pue (Langley, BC/Regina, WHL) and Jakob Royer (Trois-Rivières, QC/Victoriaville, QMJHL) led the offence for the winning side, with Pue finding the back of the net twice and adding an assist, and Royer contributing three points (1-2—3) of his own.

“It is a good feeling to end our tournament with a win, but obviously it is not the medal we were hoping to win coming into the week. We had a great group, so it was important for us to show up today, and I think this tournament will be a little more memorable for us because of this bronze medal,” Pue said. “We knew there was a medal on the line tonight, so I have to give credit to our group for showing up and finishing the week on a positive note.”

Both teams struck early in the first period, and the teams traded goals throughout the opening frame as Landon Roulston (Oakville, ON/Peterborough, OHL), Royer, Kash Kwajah (Etobicoke, ON/Sudbury, OHL) and Pue scored for Canada Red. Canada White got on the board with goals from Maddox Schultz (Regina, SK/Regina, WHL), Adrian Sgro (Alliston, ON/Sarnia, OHL) and Madden Daneault (Red Deer, AB/Kelowna, WHL) to make it a 4-3 game after the first period.

Sgro buried his second power-play goal of the game just before the halfway mark of the second period, making it a 5-4 game after Nicol’s early second-period marker, but Zaac Charbonneau (Gatineau, QC/Muskegon, USHL) and Drew Bate (Union, ON/Saginaw, WHL) beat Canada White goaltender Dylan Mingo (Peachland, BC/Moose Jaw, WHL) to give Canada Red a three-goal lead heading into the final frame. Pue scored 5:30 into the third to secure the bronze medal for Canada Red.

“We were pretty disappointed last night after yesterday’s [semifinal] loss, but our team did a great job of responding today. I am proud of the way our guys handled themselves today because we battled hard and we played with dignity,” said Canada Red head coach Dan DaSilva (Saskatoon, SK/Saskatoon, WHL). “This experience was a lot of fun. These players and staff are all special people that were fully committed to doing whatever it took to win a medal, and we are happy to go home with bronze.”

Canada Red goaltender Owen Loftus (Toronto, ON/North Bay, OHL) made 36 saves, while Mingo made 40 stops in relief of Zachary Lainesse (Lévis, QC/Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL).

A full game summary can be found on HockeyCanada.ca.

Schultz finished as the tournament point-leader with 16 (6-10—16) while also leading in goals (six) and assists (10). He concludes his under-17 career with 25 points (12-13—25) in 10 games played at the U17 World Challenge.

“We were battling for a bronze medal and unfortunately things did not go our way. It is not the best feeling to lose with a medal on the line,” Schultz said. “I feel very privileged to lead my country as captain. This was such a close group that bonded so quickly, and it is a special group that I will remember for a long time.”

“The bronze medal game can be a tough game to play in because of the disappointment of a semifinal loss, but I thought we showed a lot of character,” said Canada White head coach Dylan Smoskowitz (Richmond Hill, ON/Barrie, OHL). “Our guys never stopped working even when we went down four goals against a familiar opponent, and I am really proud of this team for the way their character was on display today against a good Canada Red team.”

Following the gold medal game, Hockey Canada announced the 2026 U17 World Challenge all-star team:

  • Goaltender – Mason Martin, United States
  • Defence – Drew Daley, United States
  • Defence – Adrian Sgro, Canada White
  • Forward – Kash Kwajah, Canada Red
  • Forward – Maddox Schultz, Canada White
  • Forward – Dominik Zelezny, Czechia

For more information on Hockey Canada and the U17 World Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca.

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Leo Bodei is a photographer based in Toronto, Ontario, focused on capturing authentic moments and the energy of live events. His work spans sports, street photography, and documentary-style imagery, with an emphasis on emotion, atmosphere, and storytelling. Photography Instagram: @Shotbylio

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Davidson, Nicholson and Wickenheiser Named to Order of Hockey in Canada Class of 2026

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November 6, 2026

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Hayley Wickenheiser in Team Canada gear, celebrating on the ice with a gold medal
Hayley Wickenheiser in Team Canada gear. Photo via Hayley Wickenheiser on Instagram.

Hockey Canada has named three figures who changed the game in this country to the Order of Hockey in Canada for 2026, honouring coach and builder Melody Davidson, para hockey captain Todd Nicholson, and all-time scoring leader Hayley Wickenheiser as Distinguished Honourees.

Hockey Canada has announced that Melody Davidson (Oyen, AB), Todd Nicholson (Ottawa, ON) and Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, SK) have been named to the Order of Hockey in Canada as Distinguished Honourees for 2026.

Established in 2012, the Order of Hockey in Canada recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions or service to the growth and development of hockey in Canada.

“Melody, Todd and Hayley have been incredible ambassadors for hockey in Canada throughout their careers, and we are so excited for them and their families that they are being recognized with this honour for their significant contributions to our National Winter Sport,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “The impact they have each had on the game is immeasurable, and we cannot wait to celebrate their accomplishments with all Canadians.”

The Class of 2026 was selected by a new, nine-person committee that is chaired by hockey broadcaster and producer John Shannon.

“There is no shortage of deserving candidates for the Order of Hockey in Canada and the nomination process for this year’s class was no exception,” said Shannon. “Congratulations to Melody, Todd and Hayley for this significant achievement, and thank you to our committee members for their commitment to serving as volunteers to help re-introduce this initiative.”

Melody Davidson – An instrumental part of four women’s hockey gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014), four IIHF Women’s World Championship titles (1994, 2000, 2001, 2007) and a silver medal at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Davidson’s involvement with Canada’s National Women’s Team included time as the program’s general manager, head coach, assistant coach and head scout. In addition to her roles with Team Canada, Davidson was the women’s hockey head coach at Connecticut College (1997-2000) and Cornell University (2003-06), served as an assistant coach with the Calgary Canucks (2006-09, 2010-11) and won a gold medal at the 1997 Esso Women’s Nationals as an assistant coach with the Edmonton Chimos. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Davidson was a high-performance advisor with Own the Podium from 2020-26 and is now the commissioner of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.

“To be recognized by the Order of Hockey in Canada is an incredible honour,” said Davidson. “Sport has been a lifelong passion, but in hockey, the opportunities weren’t always there, especially for women. I approached each role — coach, general manager, scout, ambassador or mentor — with pride and a commitment to create opportunities for others to experience all this great game has to offer. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the growth and development of hockey and continues to leave the game in a better place for the next generation.”

Todd Nicholson – The captain of Canada’s National Sledge Team (now National Para Hockey Team) from 1994-2007, Nicholson was part of five gold medal-winning teams during his national team career, including the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games and two IPC Sledge Hockey World Championships (2000, 2008). He also earned a silver medal with Team Canada at the 1998 Paralympics and a bronze medal at his first Games in 1994. After para hockey joined Hockey Canada in 2004, Nicholson recorded 52 points (11 goals, 41 assists) in 83 international games with Team Canada. The chair of Own the Podium from 2018-23, Nicholson was chef de mission with Team Canada at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and chair of the International Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council from 2013-17.

“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to be named a Distinguished Honouree of the Order of Hockey in Canada,” said Nicholson. “While I am proud of what we accomplished wearing the Maple Leaf, this recognition is about so much more than the medals or the moments on the ice: it is about the teammates, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters who have been part of the journey and the people who have worked tirelessly to create more opportunities for others to experience the power of sport. I have always believed that sport has the ability to bring people together, break down barriers and change lives and I hope we continue to build on the incredible progress made in para ice hockey and across our game, ensuring that the next generation has even greater opportunities to participate, compete and pursue their dreams.”

Hayley Wickenheiser – A leader with Canada’s National Women’s Team from 1994-2016, Wickenheiser holds the record for most games played (276), goals (168), assists (211) and points (379) in the program’s history. She helped lead Team Canada to four Olympic gold medals (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014), seven IIHF Women’s World Championships (1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2012) and silver medals at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games and six world championships (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016). Named the Most Valuable Player at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics, Wickenheiser won the Clarkson Cup with the Calgary Inferno (2016) and a U SPORTS national championship with the University of Calgary (2012), in addition to five titles with the Calgary Oval X-Treme (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008). The founder of WickFest – the world’s premier girls hockey festival, Wickenheiser spent seven seasons (2018-26) in a senior management role with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I am very honoured and grateful to receive the Order of Hockey in Canada,” said Wickenheiser. “It was the honour of my life to play for Canada. The beautiful game belongs to all of us and I share this honour with everyone who loves, contributes to and continues to grow our game.”

The Class of 2026 will be formally celebrated next month at the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship during Canada’s game against Norway on Dec. 29. Information on media availability will be circulated prior to that event.

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