2019-20 National Junior Team

CANADA OPENS PRE-WJC SCHEDULE WITH WIN

JASON LA ROSE

BRNO, Czech Republic – Dawson Mercer (Bay Roberts, N.L./Drummondville, QMJHL), Liam Foudy (Scarborough, Ont./London, OHL) and Bowen Byram (Cranbrook, B.C./Vancouver, WHL) scored the goals, and Canada’s National Junior Team got one in each period in a 3-0 win over Switzerland in pre-tournament action Thursday ahead of the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Aidan Dudas (Parry Sound, Ont./Owen Sound, OHL) added two assists, while Joel Hofer (Winnipeg, Man./Portland, WHL) and Nico Daws (Burlington, Ont./Guelph, OHL) shared the 12-save shutout.

Mercer netted the eventual game-winner midway through the first period, on the lone shot the Canadians were credited with in the frame, getting his stick on a long wrist shot from Jamie Drysdale (Toronto, Ont./Erie, OHL).

Foudy doubled the advantage just seven seconds into the second period, jamming in a shot at the side of the net off a set-up from Dudas, and Byram got a quick one-timer through traffic and past Swiss goaltender Luca Hollenstein with just over six minutes remaining.

Canada closes out its pre-tournament schedule Monday against Finland in Ostrava (11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT).

The IIHF World Junior Championship returns to Canadian ice next year when Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., host the 2021 World Juniors. Fans have until Jan. 5 to sign up for the Priority Draw for their chance to purchase tickets in both cities. Visit HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets for more information.