Kashawn Aitcheson knew exactly who he was going to call first when he received the news that he had been named to Canada’s preliminary roster for this year’s 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship over the Christmas Holidays.
“It was to my grandpa (Chris) and the rest of my family right after,” said the New York Islanders prospect, who, along with Barrie Colts’ teammate Cole Beaudoin, was one of 27 players invited Monday to the training camp, which runs Dec. 12-22 at Gale Centre Arena in Niagara Falls.
Chris was pretty excited, to say the least.
“It was definitely cool,” the Colts’ blueliner said of the conversation with his grandfather. “He was definitely fired up. It was a funny reaction.”
Aitcheson credits his grandfather and uncle (Chris) for getting him into hockey. The rugged six-foot-two, 203-pound Toronto native took to his physical style after watching his uncle lay out opposing OJHL players with the North York Rangers.
“It’s been a village that has supported me and kind of made my dreams come true,” said Aitcheson. “Without every one of them, I wouldn’t be here.”
A forward, defenceman, and goalie will be cut from the team by Dec. 22 to get to the 24-man roster that will open the tournament on Dec. 26 against Czechia in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Obviously, it’s super exciting,” said Aitcheson when asked about the opportunity to take part in the prime junior hockey showcase. “It’s everything you dream of watching the tournament growing up with your family during Christmas time. To think that I have a chance that I’ll be playing in that sort of situation, and for your country, is a pretty surreal feeling.”
Many times, he’s envisioned putting on that Canadian jersey.
“I think it just kind of motivates you even more,” he said. “It makes you get more stuck in on the finer details. Your defensive play, your positioning, the kind of stick positions, and all those little details.
“It kind of makes you sharpen up to give yourself the best chance to play in tournaments like this.”
That he gets a chance to lead Canada to a gold medal with Beaudoin, his Barrie teammate and good friend, makes the possibility even more special.
Beaudoin was a member of last year’s Canadian squad that was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Having someone there who has been through the high-pressure tournament and understands what is expected is a huge help.
“He’s been a guy that has always been there for me from Day 1,” said Aitcheson. “We’ve got a super close relationship. I think I’m going to be leaning on him. In these types of situations, obviously, he played in the tournament last year.
“We got to win gold at the Under 18s together, which was really cool, and we have been talking about running it back and doing it together again at the world juniors.”
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Like Beaudoin, Aitcheson brings a game that allows him to have an impact no matter what situation he is placed in. One of the OHL’s top open-ice hitters, he busted out offensively last season with his booming shot and has become what one NHL scout called, “a unicorn” who is rare because he can play it any way.
After scoring 26 times last season, breaking the single-season franchise record for goals by a defender set by Brandt Clarke and Aaron Ekblad (24), Aitcheson already has potted 19 in just 26 games this season and now has 54 in 177 career games to also set the team’s all-time franchise record for goals by a defenceman.
“That’s his superpower,” Colts’ head coach Dylan Smoskowitz said of Aitcheson’s versatility. “You don’t give up anything with (him). You talk about the skill. Power-play quarterback defenceman, OK, you give up some size and strength. You talk about these big trees in the back end, and you give up some puck skills and speed. With Kashawn, you don’t give up anything.
“He can do it all for you. He’s been doing it all for us all season, and pretty much from Day 1 that he got here as a 16-year-old. The other countries playing against Canada this year are going to learn very quickly who Kashawn Aitcheson is.”
Aitcheson says he’s done all he can, with the help of many, to put himself in this position one day.
“Obviously, it’s just a camp, so you still have to make the team,” he said. “You still have to prove yourself. It’s definitely about my game and trying to be effective in all areas of the ice.”
It's been quite the last year for Aitcheson. He set career highs with Barrie in his draft year, won gold at the U18 worlds in late April of 2024 in Sweden, and this past June, the Islanders selected him 17th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft
“Definitely, we’ve had a chance to sit back and talk about it,” Aitcheson said of his whirlwind year. “Feel how it felt and go through those emotions. All the hard times, all the late nights, all the early mornings, it feels like it paid off.
“I just have to keep one step in front of the other and keep going to my main goal, which is obviously playing in the NHL and winning a Stanley Cup.”
Aitcheson admits earning the chance to suit up in the prestigious Holiday tournament was one of his main goals coming into this season.
“Kind of the only thing you think of coming into the first half of the year,” he said. “Trying to be better every single day, every single game. Be 100 per cent better.”
Beaudoin will look to avenge last year’s disappointing finish. The Utah Mammoth top prospect is fourth in OHL scoring with 14 goals and 27 assists for 41 points in just 24 games.
“Canada is very lucky to have him,” said Smoskowitz. “Whether he’s playing first line, fourth line, he’s going to be effective for you. He’s just that kind of kid. His work ethic can be infectious. For a short tournament like this, to have someone to really set the tone in terms of culture and how you want your team to act on and off the ice, Cole Beaudoin is your guy. And Hockey Canada knows that.
“He’s been with the organization for a while now. This is his second world juniors, so they obviously know what we know here in Barrie, and I’m sure they’re equally as happy to have him as part of their team.”
Both Barrie stalwarts are ready to play any role they are asked to. Do whatever it takes to bring home the gold medal.
“You expect nothing less than gold,” said Aitcheson. “That’s Canada’s motto. We think we’re the best hockey country in the world, and every tournament, every time we play, we prove it.”
Aitcheson hopes his grandpa, uncle, parents and family will all be there to see it.
“I hope so,” he said.
