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Three players have been cut from Canada’s roster as the team continues preparations for the world junior hockey championship.
Hockey Canada announced Thursday that forwards Marek Vanacker and Jake O’Brien and defenceman Jackson Smith have been returned to their club teams.
The cuts were made after Canada defeated Sweden 2-1 in a pre-tournament game Wednesday night in Kitchener, Ont.
Vanacker, a late addition to camp, and O’Brien both return to the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League, while Smith will rejoin Pennsylvania State in the NCAA.
The cuts trim Canada’s roster to 25 players (22 skaters and three goaltenders), which is allowable under International Ice Hockey Federation rules.
Canada opens the under-20 tournament against the Czech Republic on Dec. 26 in Minneapolis.
