Depth in expertise pipeline on show in Paraguay
Because the Junior Pan American Video games wrapped up in Paraguay final week, Canada’s Junior Nationwide Groups delivered performances that replicate a rising legacy of power and depth within the nation’s junior subject hockey packages.
The Junior Ladies’s Nationwide Group held their seed from final yr’s Junior Pan Ams on dwelling soil, ending fifth general. Their marketing campaign included wins over Paraguay (2-0) and Guyana (4-0), and a rained-out draw towards Mexico within the fifth-place match. Canada misplaced matches to Argentina and Uruguay. These athletes have come via youth (U16 & U18) packages which incorporates home coaching and annual worldwide excursions as a part of the NextGen expertise pathway. The Junior Pan American Video games has constructed additional worldwide expertise that may serve athletes effectively as they proceed of their journey in home and worldwide college, membership, junior nationwide groups. in addition to future transition into senior hockey.
Canada’s Junior Ladies end fifth on the Junior Pan American Video games in Paraguay. Images/Rodrigo Jaramillo.
The Junior Males’s Nationwide Group continued their streak within the Pan American area, reaching the gold medal match for the fourth consecutive time. After a decent loss to Mexico, the staff bounced again with wins over Chile, Trinidad & Tobago, and a very spectacular 1-0 semifinal victory over the USA. They finally fell to Argentina 4-2 within the closing, however the efficiency marked a step ahead, particularly contemplating the youth of the squad.
This yr’s JMNT roster displays a program which has grown and developed lately, constructing power and depth throughout Canada. That is evident in squad choice. The place earlier choices such because the 2013 Junior World Cup squad, the squad was virtually solely comprised of BC athletes and solely couple from Ontario, the 2025 JPAG squad featured gamers from throughout the nation. 4 gamers got here from Ontario, 3 from Alberta, 8 from BC, in addition to 1 from the UK. This rising depth and efficiency throughout the nationwide youth pathway bodes effectively for the longer term.
Notably, each junior groups completed in the identical positions as final yr’s Junior Pan American Championship. One key distinction nevertheless is reflective this ever-strengthening efficiency improvement system. This yr’s squads have been chosen from a broader athlete pool of 30 recognized age group athletes, constructing worldwide expertise throughout a broader pool throughout this yr’s three key worldwide contact factors: centralization camps, the Junior Pan Ams or the upcoming Junior World Cup.
The Junior Males end second place in Paraguay on the Junior Pan American Video games. Images/Rodrigo Jaramillo.
The junior nationwide groups are additionally noticeable architects of one other crucial ingredient for our future success: shifting nationwide staff expectations from certainly one of qualification as success to an expectation of qualifying for each main. The upcoming Junior World Cups are the third consecutive world-level occasions that each junior groups have certified. In doing so, these groups, have set a bar and expectation. The main focus sharply shifts now in direction of performances within the majors themselves.
With this subsequent cease for these rising Canadian hockey stars only a matter of weeks away, focus is now on the Junior World Cup in November/December, the place Canada will look ahead to the chance to make the subsequent step.
Canadian Officers
Congratulations to Pamba Manikandan (umpire), Nora Struchtrup (umpire) and Sanjay D’Silva (TO) for his or her efficiency on the Junior Pan American Video games. Area Hockey Canada is proud to ship Canadian officers to worldwide competitions everywhere in the world.
