After a second straight early exit in the World Juniors, Hockey Canada representatives took to the podium Saturday to address the team’s performance at the 2025 tournament.
The common theme of the team-performance section of the press conference was unmet expectations and “disappointment.”
With the 4-3 loss to Czechia on Thursday, the Canadians have bowed out of the tournament in the quarterfinals in two straight years. This marks the first time since 1981 Canada was unable to reach top-four finishes in consecutive events.
“I understand anger, I understand disappointment and I share it,” senior vice-president of hockey operations Scott Salmond said. “I also take responsibility for our programming.”
Salmond took it a step further, personally apologizing for the team’s performance and vowing that steps will be taken in the name of improvement.
“I apologize,” Salmond said. “There should be full buildings in the next two days cheering on a Canadian team. That’s our job. I apologize for that. We will look to be better, we will make changes and we will be better.”
President and CEO Katherine Henderson commented as well, sharing similar sentiments to Salmond.
“We’re disappointed our national junior team’s tournament ended early,” Henderson said. “Especially with the support that we’ve seen with the fans here in Ottawa and across the country … Canadians do expect our country to be playing for a medal each and every year and we all take that expectation very seriously.”
Salmond also voiced his complete support to his players for their unwavering effort despite the result.
“I do want to acknowledge the 25 young men that age 17-19 that represented Canada,” Salmond said. “I want to acknowledge their effort and commitment … nobody wanted to win more than those people, and those young men.”