Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Zaac Charbonneau has been named to Team Canada Red for the 2026 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the Lumberjacks announced this week. The tournament runs Nov. 1-7 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario.

Charbonneau, from Gatineau, Quebec, is the only USHL skater in Canada’s 44-player selection pool for the event, which is split across the country’s tournament teams.

He credited his time in West Michigan for the opportunity. “My start to the year in Muskegon has been huge,” Charbonneau said in the team’s announcement. He also spoke about what representing Canada means to him. Head coach Colten St. Clair described the event as an early chance for NHL scouts to see players at a high level.

Michigan teams on Canada Red

Charbonneau will have company from Michigan’s OHL clubs. Saginaw Spirit forwards Drew Bate and Kyler Lauder and Flint Firebirds forward Cole Guizzetti were also named to Canada Red, as Mitten Hockey reported Thursday.

The Lumberjacks this weekend

Muskegon opened a two-game home series with the Youngstown Phantoms on Friday at Trinity Health Arena and hosts them again Saturday at 6:10 p.m. The Lumberjacks entered the weekend 3-4-0-1 after being swept in Chicago last weekend. Forward Louis Jonerheim also recently committed to the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Sources

• Muskegon Lumberjacks (OurSports Central): Zaac Charbonneau to Represent Canada at 2026 World Under-17 Challenge
• Muskegon Lumberjacks (OurSports Central): Week 4 Preview: Chopping Down the Phantoms
• OurSports Central: Muskegon Lumberjacks schedule