The international hockey stage is about to get a little more Canucks blue and green. The Vancouver Canucks will be well-represented at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, with two more players officially joining the tournament roster alongside Max Sasson.
Forward Aatu Räty has been named to Team Finland after impressing during pre-tournament training camps. The young Canuck just wrapped up his first full NHL season in 2025–26, tallying four goals and 10 assists in 66 games. Räty is no stranger to the international spotlight—he last donned the Finnish jersey at the 2022 World Junior Championship, where he racked up three goals and seven assists in 10 games to help secure a silver medal. This year, he'll share the ice with top Finnish talent like Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Calgary Flames defenseman Olli Määttä.
Defenseman Filip Hronek will also represent Czechia, despite an injury scare during the Fortuna Hockey Games. Hronek was one of just three Canucks to play all 82 games this season, posting a career-high 49 points—the second-highest total on the Vancouver roster. He previously suited up for Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, contributing five assists in five games. His experience and consistency will be a major asset on the international blue line.
Räty and Hronek join Max Sasson (USA) as Canucks heading to the World Championship. Sweden has yet to finalize its roster, but Canucks forwards Liam Öhgren and Linus Karlsson have both participated in the team's training camp, so more Vancouver connections could be on the way.
The 2026 IIHF World Championship kicks off on May 15. Finland opens against Germany at 7:20 am PT, while Czechia faces Denmark later that day at 11:20 am PT. Whether you're cheering for the Canucks or just love the game, this is a tournament you won't want to miss.