The roster is set.
The battle begins on Boxing Day.
Team Canada finalized its lineup Sunday and seven WHL players will be looking to defend this country’s world junior gold medal in Helsinki, Finland, later this week.
It’s actually eight if you throw former (and future?) Calgary Hitmen power forward Jake Virtanen, on loan from the Vancouver Canucks, into the mix.
And the western boys provide three of the club’s four returning players.
Along with Virtanen, Moose Jaw Warriors star Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Lawson Crouse (OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs/Florida Panthers) up front, Victoria Royals blueliner Joe Hicketts (Detroit Red Wings) is also back for more.