Max Brien Named to Team Canada for the 2026 U17 World Challenge
Max Brien is going to wear the maple leaf. On October 14, Hockey Canada named the Rimouski Océanic forward to Canada White, one of two Team Canada rosters at the 2026 U17 World Challenge in Oakville, Ontario. This summer, Hockey Canada left him off its U17 development camp list.
What is the U17 World Challenge?
The U17 World Challenge is an international tournament where Canada's best under-17 players face national teams like Czechia and Finland. It's the first step in Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence, the pathway that runs through the national U18 team and on to the World Juniors.
Hockey Canada invited 80 players to its U17 development camp this summer. In October, it named 44 to the final rosters across Canada Red and Canada White. Only nine of them play in the QMJHL, and Max is one.
How did Max Brien earn his spot without a camp invite?
He spent the summer getting better, then proved it in the QMJHL.
Not getting that invite stung. Max had just gone 10th overall to Rimouski at the QMJHL Draft, and camp felt like the natural next step. Spots at this level are tight, and a summer camp list is one snapshot of a long season.
He put his summer into his skating, the one area scouts wanted to see grow, and into the small details of his game. Then he went to Rimouski, came through rookie camp and main camp, and made the Océanic as a 16-year-old.
“Once I got drafted to Rimouski at the end of last season, my goal was to train hard and make the team.”
How CEM Hockey supports Max Brien
CEM Hockey has been with Max and his family through all of it, from the high of draft night to the summer setback. At CEM, we build careers over many seasons, and the family is part of every decision.
Our role is to handle everything around the player so he can focus on the ice. That means keeping the family informed, staying in step with the club and making sure every decision serves his long-term development. Max did the work, and we're proud to stand behind him.
When does Canada White play?
Canada White opens the 2026 U17 World Challenge against Czechia on November 1 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, after exhibition games on October 30. The medal games are November 7 on TSN and RDS.
Canada White won gold in 2023 and 2024, and Canada Red won its first in 2025, so the bar is high.
Congratulations, Max. You earned this one.
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