Baden-born player, Guelph Storm forward and former Kitchener Ranger prepare to hit the ice at World Juniors

Canada's Carson Rehkopf (19) takes a shot on net as U Sports Simon Lavigne (24) defends during first period of Canadian World Juniors selection camp hockey action at TD Place stadium in Ottawa, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press)

Waterloo Region and Guelph will be well represented as the International Ice Hockey Federation World Juniors gets underway.

The tournament officially begins in Ottawa with preliminary games starting at noon on Thursday as Sweden takes on Slovakia.

Team Canada is set to face their first opponent, Finland, at 7:30 p.m. and there will be some familiar faces for avid local hockey fans.

Guelph Storm forward Jett Luchanko, Baden-born Barrie Colt defenceman Beau Akey and former Kitchener Ranger Carson Rehkopf all made the team.

Scott Walker from Cambridge is also serving as the team’s player development consultant.

Team Canada is hungry for redemption this year as they are coming off a heartbreak from last year. Despite capturing the gold medal again in 2023, the team was bounced out during the quarterfinal stage in Sweden last year, ultimately finishing fifth.