Zach Whitecloud, a former Bemidji State University hockey player, has been selected for Canada's National Men's Team for the 2026 IIHF World Championship, a prestigious tournament that will be held in Switzerland this May.
A Milestone for a Bemidji Native
Whitecloud, a native of Brandon, Manitoba, brings a wealth of experience to the roster, having completed his seventh season in the NHL and previously earning a silver medal at the 2022 World Championship.
After a mid‑season trade that sent him from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Calgary Flames on January 18, Whitecloud was named an alternate captain for the Flames in the 2025‑26 campaign, a testament to his leadership on and off the ice.
He joins 23 other skaters and eight defensemen on the Canadian squad, a group that will open its campaign against Sweden on May 15 before facing Italy, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czechia in the group stage.
The tournament will conclude with the medal games on May 31, and Canada’s preparation includes a stint of practice in Paris from May 8‑11, culminating in a pre‑tournament match against France on May 10 and a game against Hungary on May 13 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Looking Ahead to the Tournament
With the roster finalized and the schedule set, Whitecloud and his teammates are poised to add another chapter to Canada’s storied hockey legacy, and his journey from Bemidji State to the world stage underscores the global reach of the sport.