Cypress River product, Carson Carels gets the World Junior Hockey call

In Canada, watching the World Junior Hockey Championship over the holiday season is as traditional as Christmas turkey and gifts under the tree. Families gather around their TVs, entire towns pause to cheer, and every kid on the local outdoor rink imagines hearing their name called to wear the maple leaf. This year, that dream could become a reality for one of our own.

Prince George defenceman Carson Carels, a proud product of Cypress River, has been named to the roster for the 2025–26 Team Canada World Junior selection camp.

Seventeen-year-old Carels was one of those kids who had big dreams long before he could even lace up his own skates. His mom, Stacy Carels, smiles as she recalls one particular memory.
“I remember his preschool photo,” she said. “Below it was the question, What do you want to be when you grow up? His answer was, Play in the NHL.”

That dream is beginning to take shape, and earning an invitation to Team Canada’s World Junior camp is a significant milestone, whether he ultimately makes the final roster or not.

Carels received “the call” shortly after Sunday night’s game against Victoria. Making the moment even more special, his teammate and close friend, goaltender Joshua (Josh) Ravensbergen, also learned he had been selected to attend camp. The pair departed for Niagara Falls on Friday, December 12, where they will take part in Team Canada’s training camp and pre-tournament games ahead of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Carels is one of just two Manitobans invited to the selection process, joining forward Carter Bear of West St. Paul.

In an interview with the Prince George Citizen, Carels admitted that earning a spot at this stage wasn’t something he expected this year.

“I’m so excited,” he said. “Everyone dreams of it, and I’m going there to make the team. It’s a 19-year-old tournament, but that doesn’t really matter; you’re going there to win, and that’s what I’ll try to do.”

And try he will.

His second season as a WHL defenceman has been a breakout one, marked by noticeable growth in both confidence and consistency. Now being touted as a top-five overall pick for the 2026 NHL Draft in June, Carels has recorded eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points in 28 games – ranking sixth among WHL defencemen.

His father, Ryan Carels, a highly respected coach with the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy, says the difference in Carson’s on-ice presence over the past year has been clear.

“He’s playing with a lot more confidence,” Ryan said. “He’s pushing himself to contribute offensively without compromising his defensive game.”

When asked what has driven that improvement, Ryan pointed to the work being done away from the rink. “Nutrition, workouts, proper maintenance and recovery, and taking care of his mind as much as his body – all of that matters,” he explained. “And it’s really showing in his game.”

Canada’s National Junior Team will face Sweden on December 17 in Kitchener and again on December 20 in London, followed by a game against Denmark on December 23 in Mankato, Minnesota. These matchups are part of the final lead-up to the main tournament, which begins December 26, and will give coaches and scouts a closer look as final roster decisions begin to take shape.

Carels is the youngest player being evaluated in what is traditionally a 19-year-old tournament. While he has proven he can keep pace with older competition, nine defencemen have been selected, with only eight ultimately being kept. As a result, Carels could be cut or dressed with limited ice time.

Regardless of the outcome, simply being invited to the selection process gives scouts an invaluable opportunity to evaluate him ahead of next year’s NHL Draft and firmly places him on the radar for the future.

No matter how the final decision unfolds, Carels’ inclusion in the conversation speaks volumes about the growth he has shown over the past year in a Prince George Cougars uniform. Competing daily against older, more seasoned players has sharpened his skills, elevated his already exceptional hockey IQ, and strengthened the confidence required to perform at the highest level; development that has not gone unnoticed beyond Prince George.

For Ryan and Stacy Carels, the next few weeks could mean travel plans, packed bags and a long drive; familiar territory for hockey parents. They are hopeful the journey will lead to Minnesota, to follow the same dream they’ve watched their son chase since he was barely old enough to tie his skates.

And for a player who once wrote “play in the NHL” beneath a preschool photo, this moment represents another meaningful step forward; one shaped by patience, hard work and belief. And as families once again gather around their televisions this holiday season, watching the familiar red and white and dreaming alongside the next generation of backyard rink hopefuls, one thing is certain: Carson Carels has earned his place in that conversation.

Whether or not he pulls on the maple leaf this year, his journey is one many in Cypress River and beyond will be following closely.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Carson Carels of Cypress River is hoping to repeat his performance at the 2024-25 IIHF U18 World Championship at the 2025-26 World Junior Tournament. If he cracks the squad he will be one of the youngest players to represent our country at that level. PHOTO SUBMITTED