,Team Canada and Team Czechia held optional practices at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul on Saturday.
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Does Jack Ivankovic ever get nervous?
“Not really, no,” the 18-year-old Michigan Wolverines goalie said with a shrug.
Ivankovic stopped 21 of 22 shots in Canada’s 7-1 quarterfinal win over Slovakia on Friday. He’s in line to start again on Sunday night when Canada faces Czechia with a spot in the gold medal game at the World Juniors on the line.
“I’ve played a bunch of big games so far so, I mean, it’s just another game for me,” the Nashville Predators prospect said.
After beating Latvia in overtime in the preliminary round, Ivankovic is now 2-0-0 at this year’s World Juniors with a tournament-best .959 save percentage.
“Just a really steady goalie and he steps it up even more when he’s on the international level,” said Team Canada forward Cole Reschny, who is a freshman at the University of North Dakota. “That’s something that I’ve noticed. You saw at the last U18 [World Championship] in Dallas, he was arguably our best player. He’s a special player and it’s always nice having him to be your backbone.”
Ivankovic led all netminders in goals-against average (1.05), save percentage (.960), and shutouts (two) during the 2025 Under-18 World Championship. He was named the tournament’s top goalie as Canada finished atop the podium.
“I feel like I play my best when the stage is pretty big and it’s only going to get bigger here,” Ivankovic said.
Ivankovic has won gold a total of four times representing Canada: Under-17s (2023), Under-18s (2024 & 2025) and at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (2024).
What does Michigan State winger Porter Martone see when he shoots on Ivankovic in practice?
“Nothing,” Canada’s captain said with a grin.
Ivankovic stands just 6-foot, but is lightning quick.
“He’s such a calm goalie,” said Penn State freshman Gavin McKenna, who mustered just one assist in two games against Michigan this season. “He’s so quick. You think you got him beat and somehow he saves it.”
Ivankovic is 16-4-0 with a .927 save percentage this season, but started the World Juniors as Canada’s back-up for the second straight year. But, unlike last year in Ottawa, Owen Sound Attack goalie Carter George looked a bit shaky in the preliminary round while posting an .844 save percentage.
So, Canada turned to Ivankovic to start the knockout stage, and the Mississauga, Ont. native did not miss a beat.
“I feel super confident with my game right now,” Ivankovic said. “I’m ready to go …I want to be the guy on this team.”
With the semifinal and championship games being held on consecutive days, Ivankovic decided to stay off the ice on Saturday.
‘Just how I was born’: Canadian starter Ivankovic insists he never gets nervous Canadian goalie Jack Ivankovic discusses what his mental process is to stay ready, and why he never gets nervous playing on a big stage for Canada. His teammates share what they like about having Ivankovic between the pipes.
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Ivankovic could only watch last year as Czechia knocked Canada out in the quarterfinals for the second straight year.
“The last two years have helped us,” he said with a smile. “This rivalry, I mean, we’re looking forward to tomorrow, and we’re ready to turn the page. It’s our game. It’s a new year.”
“We want to get redemption,” said Barrie Colts centre Cole Beaudoin, who is also among the six players back from last year’s team. “The past is what it is. We’ll have that in the back of our mind, use it as fuel, and play with energy.”
Canada earned a measure of revenge with a 7-5 tournament-opening win over Czechia this year.
“Just how fired-up we were,” McKenna said when asked what he remembered about the Boxing Day meeting between the countries. “Knowing we let the country down twice [by] losing to those guys, and we don’t want to do it again. So, we’re fired up here, and hopefully we have that same mentality.”
Canada left the ice without shaking hands after that first game. Hockey Canada issued an apology to Team Czechia, calling it an oversight. Most of the Czech players accepted what happened as an honest mistake, although captain Petr Sikora noted it will provide a little extra motivation on Sunday.
The truth is, this rivalry doesn’t need any extra juice right now.
“You can even see the rivalry in the first game in the group stage,” said Czech defenceman Radim Mrtka, who missed the Boxing Day game due to injury, but is healthy now. “There was a lot of [scrums] and talking, but that’s actually good for us. Get some emotions, and it’s going to be a good game.”
“It will be a real battle,” said Canada winger Tij Iginla. “We saw it opening day, how intense that game was, and I can only imagine it will be that times 10 for the semifinals. It will be a battle.”
Canada’s last gold medal at the World Juniors came in 2023 in Halifax when they beat Czechia in overtime of the championship game.
‘We want redemption’: Emotions high as Canada gets set for Czechia rematch Czechia has ended Canada’s run at the World Juniors the past two years, but on Sunday Canada will get a chance at redemption with both teams set to meet in the semi-final round. Canadian and Czech players describe what the rivalry has been like as hey look ahead to their upcoming game.
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With the host Americans out, Canada is not sure what the atmosphere will be like inside Grand Casino Arena on Sunday.
“I’m hoping for a lot of Canadian fans here,” said McKenna. “I’m not sure what to expect. The US games weren’t even sold out. Hopefully, we get a good Canadian crowd.”
The average attendance for the Team USA games was 14,341. Grand Casino Arena, which is home to the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, can seat more than 18,000 fans for hockey games.
“We hope for a packed crowd, but we got it in our mind that it might not always be packed,” Martone said. “But we know there will be four million Canadians watching back home so that’s always a spark for us.”
The captain’s message to the fans back home?
“We’re going to give our hearts out and play to the best of our ability,” the Philadelphia Flyers prospect said. “I know every guy in that room is going to be blood, sweat and tears to the very end.”
Martone has been waiting for this opportunity ever since Canada lost to Czechia last year.
“I get another chance to play at the World Juniors, and it’s gold medal or nothing,” he said.
Martone’s message to Canadian fans: ‘We’re going to give our hearts’ Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna and Cole Beaudoin discuss what they expect the atmosphere to be like in Saint Paul, feeling the fans support from home, and generating their own energy on the ice.
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Canada’s average attendance at the 10,000-seat 3M Arena for the group stage games was 5,376. But the Canadian fans who have made the trip are making their presence felt.
“You feel a lot of support,” said McKenna, who is from Whitehorse. “I’ve seen three or four Yukon flags in the crowd, so that’s pretty cool.”
A couple of young fans even brought winger Brady Martin some Timbits on Friday night. The Soo Greyhounds sparkplug likes to eat two chocolate-glazed donuts before every game, but abandoned the routine in Minnesota, where there are no Tim Hortons locations.
“I gave them a stick for Timbits,” the Predators’ fifth overall pick beamed. “It shows how much Canada cares about their country, so it’s huge. Everyone’s watching.”
How’d they taste?
“Unbelievable,” the Elmira, Ont. native said.
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After producing just one point in five games last year, McKenna is tied for second in tournament scoring with nine points this year.
“We know a lot of Canada is watching us,” he said. “There’s a lot of pressure on us, but we love the support we get.”
McKenna breaks into a smile.
“This year’s been good,” he said. “We don’t get as much backlash this year, so it’s been good.”
Winning will do that.
McKenna, who is projected to go first overall in the next NHL draft by TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button, has been in the spotlight since Canada opened camp with questions swirling about his start in the NCAA, where he has four goals and 18 points in 16 games.
McKenna is requested for interviews almost every day at the World Juniors, and the 18-year-old doesn’t seem to mind the spotlight.
“I mean, it’s something I’ve kind of grown into a little bit,” he said. “I’ve gotten used to it. Nothing too hard this year. It’s been good and it’s been fun.”
McKenna is leaning on 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard, who is a distant cousin through marriage, for guidance during his draft year.
“He’s gone through similar things to me,” McKenna said. “I usually ask him about specific situations. Looking back, he had a lot of fun at these events and stuff like that. He had a fun time in juniors so I’m just making sure I’m staying present and not looking at the bigger picture, just being where I am.”
Bedard led Canada to a World Junior title in 2023 while producing 23 points, which is a national record for a single tournament.
“That was pretty ridiculous,” McKenna said. “We were looking at his stats yesterday. He had like 13 points in two games against Austria and Germany there, which is insane.”
‘Nothing too hard’: Bedard helps McKenna live in the present during draft year Gavin McKenna has had a lot of eyes on him this year especially at the World Juniors as he gets ready for his NHL draft year. He discusses what’s it’s been like being in the spotlight and seeking advice from his cousin Connor Bedard.
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Calgary Flames defenceman Zayne Parekh is leading Team Canada and the tournament in scoring with 10 points.
“He’s been very good for us in terms of his offensive output,” said Team Canada general manager Alan Millar. “He’s defended better than some people give him credit for here. You watch him play and he’s got a real good stick all the time. He’s leading our power play and our power play has been very good. He’s a game changer. His skill-set is dynamic and he’s been a real important player for us here.
Parekh is just two points away from tying Alex Pietrangelo (12 in 2010) for the most points by a Canadian defenceman at a single World Juniors.
The Czechs have a simple game plan to deal with Parekh.
“Stay close to him,” instructed head coach Patrik Augusta. “Don’t give him the room. You give him a little bit of room, his shot is exceptional and he lights up the goals. We have to be on the defensive side of the game to be successful.”
What’s the key for Czechia on the penalty kill?
“Not to have any,” Augusta said. “The discipline is the key. If we can keep it to two, maybe three penalties, that will be a key.”
Canada is clicking at 47.1 per cent on the power play, which leads the tournament. Czechia ranks third in penalty-killing percentage (75).
Discipline is also a key for Canada. They have been assessed the second fewest penalty minutes in the tournament after being the most penalized team a year ago. Head coach Dale Hunter has stressed the need to stay out of the box since Day 1 of the summer camp.
“We just know how those penalties can kill us,” McKenna said. “It’s such a close tournament and every little bounce, every little detail matters, so we’ve been really focused on that since the day we got here. Dale’s really put that into our minds that we got to stay disciplined and, honestly, it comes back to him. He’s done a great job with that.”
Czechs plan to stay close to Canada’s ‘game changer’ Parekh Zayne Parekh has 10 points in five games played at the World Juniors, and scored two goals in Canada’s Boxing Day win over Czechia. Team Canada general manager Alan Millar and captain Porter Martone discuss what makes Parekh such a special player, and Czechia coach Patrik Augusta explains the Czech’s plan to sow him down in the semi-finals.
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Czechia also boasts a high-scoring defenceman in Tomas Galvas, who has produced three goals and eight points. Galvas, who plays for Liberec Bili Tygri in the Czech league, has been passed over in the last two NHL drafts.
“You should ask the scouts or somebody else,” Augusta said when asked how that could be the case. “I wasn’t surprised he wasn’t drafted the first year, but last year he proved himself already. This is the third year and maybe somebody will give him a shot. He deserves it.”
Size is likely a factor as Galvas is only 5-foot-10.
“Maybe because he’s small,” Sikora suggested. “He’s having a crazy year.”
Galvas is averaging 20:30 of ice time per game at the World Juniors.
“He has no nerves,” Augusta praised. “He plays well and does the little things right. What stands out, as a coach, is his second effort. Whenever he makes a small mistake or loses the puck, he’s always the one who wins the battle back. That’s a very good asset.”
Galvas politely declined requests from Canadian media on Saturday because he’s not comfortable doing interviews in English.
‘You should ask the scouts’: Czechs can’t believe NHL teams passed on Galvas Undrafted Czechia defenseman Tomas Galvas has been drawing attention at this years World Juniors registering three goals and eight points through five games. Galvas’ teammates and coach share their disbelief that 19-year old has yet to be drafted.
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Most of Canada’s top minute munchers stayed off the ice on Saturday, but Martone wanted to skate.
“It was nice coming into a new rink today,” he said. “Any time you get to play on an NHL rink it’s pretty special … Just want to get out there and get my feet moving and get ready.”
Martone spent some time working 1-on-1 with assistant coach Misha Donskov. He took pucks off the boards and made a quick turn to the middle of the ice.
“Just some wall play,” he said. “That’s where a lot of hockey is played is on the walls and in these crucial games you gotta win the walls to win the game.”
Martone is trying to maximize his 6-foot-3, 209-pound frame in Minnesota. And the 19-year-old from Peterborough, Ont. certainly put it to good use on Friday when he set a screen that led to a goal by San Jose Sharks centre Michael Misa.
“I didn’t really see the net,” Misa said. “I wasn’t looking at it, but it found a way to go in. It was a good screen by Marty.”
Canada Ice Chips: Martone works on the wall as scene shifts to NHL rink Team Canada held an optional practice Saturday ahead of their semi-final matchup against Czechia on Sunday, and the players took the opportunity to check out their new surroundings as they shift to playing at the Grand Casino Arena for the remainder of the tournament. TSN’s Mark Masters has more from the optional practice which saw captain Porter Martone work on his wall play.
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Iginla fired his third goal of the tournament on Friday.
“He’s got a pretty sick shot,” Ivankovic said. “He went high glove there, he’s got a bomb.”
Iginla credits his Hall-of-Fame father, Jarome, for helping him refine his shot through countless hours spent together shooting.
“Just getting the reps in daily with him in the garage is really important,” the Utah Mammoth prospect said. “Just being consistent with it and working at it and shooting pucks every day. So many little intricacies of it, but it’s just the consistency of working at it.”
Do father and son have a similar release?
“Probably a little bit,” the 19-year-old said. “He’s worked with me since I was a little kid. He was a really good shooter and I’m not trying to say, like, I have an insane shot or anything, but he tried to teach me what he knows.”
Jarome Iginla scored 625 goals in his NHL career, which is tied for 17th all-time.
Tij Iginla could have scored a couple more goals against Slovakia, but failed to convert on a couple breakaways. His previous goal, on New Year’s Eve against Finland, came via a breakaway. How does he get loose so often?
“I don’t know,” Iginla said with a grin. “We got great D. They see the ice really well. I just try to get lost back there a little bit and hopefully next game they go in.”
“He reads the game well,” said Martin. “He jumps at the right times.”
Iginla credits dad for turning shot into weapon, but breakaway moves need work Tij Iginla showed off his shot in scoring his third goal of the World Juniors on Friday. The Kelowna Rockets sniper credits his dad, Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, for helping him turn his shot into a real weapon. Iginla also has a couple breakaways against Slovakia, but failed to convert.
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Team Canada lines in Friday’s game:
Iginla – Misa – Martone
McKenna – Hage – Martin
Desnoyers – Beaudoin – O’Reilly
Luchanko – Reschny – Cootes
Reid – Parekh
MacKenzie – Brunicke
Aitcheson – Danford
Carels – Verhoeff
Ivankovic
George
Scratches: Bear, Greentree, Ravensbergen
