Three rookie forwards from Michigan’s two OHL clubs will represent Canada next month. Hockey Canada named Saginaw Spirit forwards Drew Bate and Kyler Lauder and Flint Firebirds forward Cole Guizzetti to Canada Red on Wednesday for the 2026 U17 World Challenge, which runs Nov. 1-7 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario.
Saginaw has a second connection to the team: Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill is Canada Red’s director of hockey operations.
Our players on Canada Red
- Drew Bate, F, Saginaw Spirit: The sixth overall pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection has played in all eight of Saginaw’s games and scored his first OHL goal Sept. 19 against Flint. Last season he was the ALLIANCE Player of the Year with the London Jr. Knights after leading the league with 34 goals and 72 points in 27 games.
- Kyler Lauder, F, Saginaw Spirit: Saginaw’s second-round pick, 24th overall, in the 2026 Priority Selection has played six games for the Spirit, including Monday’s shootout win at Windsor. He was the OMHA East Player of the Year last season with 69 points in 32 games for the Central Ontario Wolves.
- Cole Guizzetti, F, Flint Firebirds: The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, native was Flint’s third-round pick, 52nd overall, in the 2026 Priority Selection. He has a goal and an assist in six games and is eligible for the 2028 NHL Draft.
Drinkill said the two Spirit rookies had worked hard well before reaching Saginaw, calling their selection “no surprise.”
The tournament
Hockey Canada named 44 players to its two entries, Canada Red and Canada White. Eighteen were drafted by OHL clubs, 17 by WHL clubs, and nine by QMJHL clubs. Dan DaSilva is Canada Red’s head coach.
Six teams play in two groups of three. Canada Red is in Group A with Finland and the United States, while Canada White, Czechia, and Sweden make up Group B. Each team plays two preliminary games, group winners go straight to the Nov. 6 semifinals, and the remaining four teams meet in the Nov. 5 quarterfinals. Medal games are Nov. 7. Canada Red opens pre-tournament play against Czechia on Oct. 30.
Before then, the Spirit play at Sarnia on Friday and host Sarnia on Saturday and Owen Sound on Sunday. The Firebirds visit Guelph on Friday and host Owen Sound on Saturday. The two Michigan clubs meet Oct. 23 in Saginaw and Oct. 24 in Flint.
Leave a Reply