Canadian teams to meet in 2025 Junior A World Challenge semifinal
TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC – Three Ontario Junior Hockey League players played pivotal roles Wednesday night as Canada East remained undefeated at the 2025 Junior A World Challenge, edging Sweden 5-4 in a dramatic shootout at the Colisée Vidéotron.
Newmarket native Tate Collins of the Toronto Patriots delivered the decisive moment, scoring the shootout winner to keep Canada East’s perfect record intact heading into Friday’s semifinal showdown against Canada West. Collins, who is committed to NCAA Division I Union College, signed an Ontario Hockey League scholarship agreement with the Barrie Colts Nov. 14.
But it was King Rebellion forward Max Anderson who stole the spotlight in the preliminary round finale. The Orono product registered a goal and an assist, earning Gatorade Performer of the Game honors and recognition as Hockey Canada’s tournament first star of the day.
“Anderson has been exceptional for us throughout this tournament,” said Canada East head coach Bruce Richardson. “He’s been engaged and contributed in all three of our wins.”
Anderson, 18, played the 2024-25 season with the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League, after splitting 2023-24 between Flint and the Leamington Flyers of the OJHL.
“Anderson has been exceptional for us throughout this tournament,” said Canada East head coach Bruce Richardson. “He’s been engaged and contributed in all three of our wins.”
Chase Yanni of the Newmarket Hurricanes, an Alliston native, also found the back of the net for Canada East, giving the OJHL trio a combined three points in the back-and-forth contest. Yanni played for the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL last season.
The victory was anything but easy. Canada East fell behind twice during regulation but showed the resilience Richardson praised in his postgame comments.
“We played with a lot more emotion compared to the last two games, and there were some good battles out there,” Richardson said. “We showed a lot of character tonight. We fell behind twice, but we never gave up.”
The win secured first place in the preliminary-round standings for Canada East, placing them in Friday’s 3 p.m. ET semifinal against Canada West. Sweden will face the United States in the other semifinal at 7 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s gold medal game will be broadcast on TSN+, with all tournament games available via livestream on HNLive.ca.
Full schedule here https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/national-championships/men/world-junior-a/2025/stats/schedule?tournament=true
