Image Credit: Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds

By Victor Kaisar

World Juniors Roster

Kamloops’ own Sawyer Mynio cracks 2025 World Juniors roster

Dec 13, 2024 | 3:14 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops-born Sawyer Mynio will play for Team Canada at the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa.

The 19-year-old Vancouver Canucks prospect is one of eight defencemen who cracked the final roster Friday (Dec. 13).

Mynio has five goals and 19 points in 18 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2024-25 WHL season.

Joining Mynio on the blueline is McBride native Tanner Molendyk, who played one season of minor hockey with the Thompson Blazers.

The Kamloops Blazers will be represented by Dan De Palma, who was added to Team Canada’s coaching staff as a goaltending consultant. Defenceman Harrison Brunicke was invited to camp, though he was unable to participate because of injury.

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Mynio and the rest of Team Canada — which includes 16-year-old forward Gavin McKenna — will practice in Petawawa, Ont., Dec. 15 to 18, before playing Switzerland (Dec. 19), Sweden (Dec. 21) and Czechia (Dec. 23) in pre-tournament play.

Kamloops Blazers defenceman Matteo Koci will also be part of Team Czechia at this year’s World Juniors. The 19-year-old Koci won a bronze medal during last year’s edition in Sweden.

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship begins Dec. 26, with Canada facing Finland in Ottawa at 4:30 p.m. PT.

Canada will also play Latvia, Germany and the United States in round-robin action.