Canada’s Junior Men look to do damage in Malaysia
Field Hockey Canada is proud and excited to send our Junior Men’s National Team to the upcoming FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup, set to kick off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 5. Canada’s Young Bucks look to continue their success from the Junior Pan American Championships earlier this year.
Having secured their spot through a stellar performance at the 2023 Junior Pan American Championships in Barbados, where they clinched the silver medal, Canada is set to build on this success on the world stage. This marks the fourth consecutive Junior World Cup qualification for the team, showcasing Canada’s steady high performance in international field hockey.
How To watch
All tournament matches will be available on FIH Watch.Hockey. The FIH is currently offering the FIH+ Pass, which gives you access to all Junior World Cup matches for the men’s and women’s tournament as well as all men’s and women’s Olympic Qualifiers. By purchasing this package, you’ll have access to all of Team Canada’s matches for the next four events. Learn more and purchase here.
Canada’s journey begins with an opening match against Spain, and they find themselves in an exciting and diverse pool alongside Korea and India. The team’s roster is a diverse mix of talent from across the nation, representing four provinces (BC, Alberta, Quebec, and Ontario). According to head coach, Geoff Matthews, he believes Canada’s style of play can lead them to success.
“Our primary goal for the tournament is to be competitive in every match. We have a tough pool but are also well aware of our own strengths. We believe that if we bring our best game, and defend to best of our ability, we do have the players to be successful and really surprise the other teams in our pool,” Matthews said. “The level of hockey at this tournament is extremely high and the 16 team competition shows the depth and diversity in the sport. Being here will give our players a first hand experience of just how advanced the worlds best are and allow us to learn and develop into better players moving forward.”
The Canadian squad retains 16 of 18 players from their Junior Pan American campaign, highlighting the importance of continuity in international competitions. This cohesion bodes well for the team’s performance and reflects Canada’s flourishing hockey pipeline. Some of these athletes already have senior reps, and many of these athletes will graduate into the senior ranks in the coming years. Welcoming two new additions, Arshmit Pannu and Arjun Cheema, the team is eager to showcase their skills on the global stage. For many players, this tournament marks their first major world event, offering a unique opportunity to compete against the best U21 talent from around the world. Matthews said the continuity in personnel and the connection with the senior environment is huge for this cycle and moving forward in the next year.
“Arshmit and Arjun bring a different dimension and improve the team. Both are leaders in the domestic teams and bring some experience and composure to the squad,” he said about the new additions to the squad. “The Junior World Cup gives us an opportunity to continue to develop our winning style of play. The same style of play that Patrick [Tshutshani] has brought to the senior team. Patrick has been instrumental in allowing some of the U21 athletes to train consistently with in the senior training environment. The connection between the two programs has created a very healthy level of competition between the junior and senior squads.”
Field Hockey Canada excitedly sends its Junior Men’s National Team to the FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup, and you can feel the anticipation within the Canadian hockey community. The BC hockey community hosted a send-off at Tamanawis Field in Surrey for the athletes the night before they traveled. The team has now been on the ground for a few days and the preparations are finishing up. The stage is set for a Team Canada display of skill, determination, and national pride as these young athletes aim to leave an indelible mark on the international field hockey scene.
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