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Ex-Maple Leafs exec pitches Senators prospect to replace injured Matthew Schaefer for Team Canada's World Juniors roster
Matthew Schaefer will miss the remainder of the World Junior Championships, Hockey Canada announced on Saturday. Speculation about his potential replacement for the rest of the tournament is already making its rounds on social media.
The projected top pick of the 2025 NHL entry draft suffered an injury during Canada’s matchup against Latvia. Schaefer, who plays for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League, collided with the goalpost going full speed and barreled into the boards.
Team Canada needs a replacement for the star defenseman. Former Maple Leafs front office executive Shawn Simpson proposed that they should consider Ottawa Senators prospect Carter Yakemchuk, who had not made the original roster.
Simpson took to the comments section and gave his suggestion.
“Make the smart move and bring in Yakemchuk. If that's an option?” Simpson wrote.
His opinion was echoed by TSN’s Bob McKenzie. During the intermission of the Canada-Latvia game, he explained that if Schaefer is sidelined, Yakemchuk may be one of the candidates for his roster spot.
Simpson’s comment on X sparked immediate reactions, with fans discussing whether the rules would allow the move. Most were cautiously optimistic, while others suggested that Team Canada should field a different player.
This is not the first time Yakemchuk’s name has been in the spotlight. He was one of the surprise exclusions from Team Canada’s WJC roster. Analysts and fans were surprised at his omission, especially given that the Senators prospect is in his final year of World Junior eligibility. Per reports, the defenseman will likely join Ottawa after this season.
Matthew Schaefer’s injury compounds Canada’s misery
Adding insult to injury, Canada was stunned 3-2 by Latvia in one of the biggest upsets in WJC history.
Eriks Mateiko was the sole scorer in the penalty shootout that gave Latvia the win in Ottawa, the nation's first-ever against Canada at the World Juniors. Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs made 55 saves in a stellar performance that denied the tournament favorites a victory. The win was only Latvia’s third in the history of the tournament.
Heading into the game, Canada was 4-0 against Latvia in the WJC. Their combined goal-scoring record was 41-4 in Canada’s favor, including a 10-0 blowout in the preliminary round of the 2024 World Juniors.
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