Last year, Canada had one of the best World Junior rosters in recent memory. The team went undefeated, never trailing in a single game, en route to the country's first gold medal in six years.
Led by phenom Connor McDavid and a potent supporting cast consisting of many current NHLers including Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart, the Arizona Coyotes' dynamic duo Anthony Duclair and Max Domi, as well Ottawa Senators centre Curtis Lazar.
While this year's squad -- which will attempt to win back-to-back championships for the first time since Canada won five straight beginning in 2005 -- doesn't have the same level of name recognition, it doesn't lack for firepower.
Here's a look at some of the players who could have a big impact for Canada on the world stage when the tournament kicks off Saturday:
Brayden Point - 2014 third-round draft pick (79th) by the Tampa Bay Lightning
Point, along with Lawson Crouse, Joe Hicketts and Jake Virtanen, is one of the four returning members of last year's gold-medal-winning squad. The diminutive centre has racked up 43 points for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League in just 19 games. Point injured his shoulder on Nov. 17, forcing him to miss several games, but if he is fully recovered he has the talent to be one of Canada's most dynamic playmakers.
Mitchell Marner - 2015 first-round draft pick (4th) by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Marner has the distinction of being one of the two players to finish ahead of Connor McDavid in last year's OHL scoring race. And this year he has picked up where he left off, putting up 58 points in 25 games for the London Knights, good for third in the league. The shifty centre, who has drawn comparisons to NHL leading scorer Patrick Kane, will likely be relied upon to provide a significant chunk of the offence for Canada.
Mason McDonald - 2014 second-round draft pick (34th) by the Calgary Flames
With Mackenzie Blackwood sitting on the sidelines for Canada's first two games because of stick-swinging suspension in the OHL, McDonald becomes the nominal starter in net. In his third season, the 6-4 goaltender for the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has posted a less-than impressive 3.47 goals against average and a .893 save percentage. All eyes will be on the 19-year-old in the team's first two games against the United States and Denmark, to see if he can solidify his role.
Meanwhile, Blackwood -- a New Jersey Devils second-round draft pick -- has posted stellar numbers for the OHL's Barrie Colts. His .932 save percentage is good for second in the league, and is generally considered a better athlete than McDonald.
Jake Virtanen - 2014 first-round draft pick (6th) by the Vancouver Canucks
As the team's lone player with NHL experience, Virtanen will be expected to shoulder much of the leadership and offensive duties for team Canada. The bruising power forward had four points in 19 games with the Vancouver Canucks this season before being loaned to the team. Virtanen was also a lethal sniper in junior, racking up 85 goals 192 games for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. The 19-year-old will look to improve upon his 2015 world junior performance, where he put up four points in seven games.
Dylan Strome - 2015 first-round draft pick (3rd) by the Arizona Coyotes
Despite finishing atop the OHL's scoring list last season, Strome was often overshadowed by his Erie Otters teammate McDavid. But if there were any doubts about his ability to perform without McDavid, the rangy centre has disapproved them with his performance this season. Strome's 53 points are good for fifth in league scoring, despite playing several fewer games than most of the other players in the top 10. Strome will likely be called upon to play on Canada's top line, and the tournament could hinge upon his ability to generate offence from centre ice.
Anthony Beauvillier - 2015 first-round draft pick (28th) by the New York Islanders
After impressing Canada's brain trust at selection camp in early December, Beauvillier hasn't looked back. The playmaking winger has maintained his strong play through pre-competition exhibition games, and could be a potential breakout candidate if he stays hot. The native of Sorel, Que., has posted 41 points in 21 games for Shawinigan in the Quebec league this season.
Canada's defence
Unlike last year's squad, Canada lacks a true star defenceman like Darnell Nurse who was relied on to play heavy minutes in important situations. This year, Canada may have to share the burden across a solid defence corps, led by returnee Joe Hicketts. Other notable defencemen on the roster are: Leafs' second-round draft pick Travis Dermott, who is tied for second in the OHL among defencemen with 27 points; Philadelphia Flyers first-round draft pick Travis Sanheim, who has 31 points in 24 games in the WHL; Carolina Hurricanes first-round pick Haydn Fleury, who has 20 points in 24 games in the WHL; and Ottawa Senators first-round draft pick Thomas Chabot, who has 20 points in 22 games in the QMJHL.
