Before the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship has even begun, Canada’s had to shift its roster, particularly on the blue line. Hockey Canada announced Saturday that defensemen Ty Nelson and Jorian Donovan have been named to the team’s roster as previously-announced defensemen Tanner Molendyk (NSH) and Tristan Luneau (ANA) will not be able to participate for medical reasons.

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Both Nelson and Donovan were participants in Canada’s selection camp in Ontario, but were ultimately released. Now both get a second chance at their World Junior dreams and have been made full members of the roster.

ROSTER UPDATE | Jorian Donovan and Ty Nelson have been added to ??’s National Junior Team for the #WorldJuniors. Tanner Molendyk and Tristan Luneau will not participate due to injury. pic.twitter.com/IkPy78KN6g

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 23, 2023

The uncertainty on the blue line for Canada stemmed from a prolonged illness for Luneau who missed all of Canada’s pre-tournament games. Molendyk (NSH) was banged up in a pre-tournament game against Switzerland, knocking him out of action.

Canada had already brought Donovan overseas in the event one of Luneau or Molendyk couldn’t play. He arrived in time to play against USA in the pre-tournament game, basically hopping off a plane and into the lineup. Nelson was informed Saturday to begin traveling to Sweden and he should join the team in time for opening day.

Canada opens tournament play against Finland on Dec. 26, meaning they’ll have a tough game right at the start of the World Juniors. 

Nelson, who was drafted 68th overall in the third round by the Seattle Kraken, has 31 points in 28 games for the North Bay Battalion. He had a career-best 76 points last season.

A 5-foot-10, right-shot defenseman, Nelson plays an offensive-minded game, but has a sturdy frame that doesn’t allow him to get pushed around despite below-average height for a defenseman.

Donovan was named Canada’s player of the game against USA despite his late arrival. He has 26 points in 31 games for the Brantford Bulldogs. He is a fifth-round selection of the Ottawa Senaotrs.

The IIHF does allow for up to two replacements during tournament play in the event of injury or illness. Most teams carry extra players with them, but Canada does not. They will have to recall players from Canada if they end up with more injuries or illness over the course of the tournament. Once a player is replaced on the official registered roster, they cannot return to game action.

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