The World Juniors are a national tradition, but for the teenage athletes on Team Canada, they’re also an unpaid audition for a lifetime of professional stakes.

I was watching Gavin McKenna in Canada’s summer showcase game against the United States back in August, and it hit me: this 17-year-old from Whitehorse might be the best player on the ice. He’s draft eligible in 2026, already the CHL Player of the Year and he’s heading to Penn State this fall. But here he was, sweating it out for free, playing with the weight of a nation’s expectations on his back.

The World Juniors are a sacred holiday tradition in Canada. Boxing Day puck drop is our unofficial start to the hockey season. We pile around TVs, cheer for kids we barely know and attach our national identity to a group of teenagers battling on foreign ice. But beneath the flag-waving and festive nostalgia lies a harsher reality: these aren’t just games, they’re high-stakes auditions. And the players? They’re chasing dreams with everything on the line, including their health, futures and earning potential.

Let’s talk about the economics for a moment. Despite massive revenues from ticket sales, sponsorship and prime-time broadcasts, players in junior hockey are unpaid beyond modest stipends. They receive room, board, equipment and in some cases, scholarships, but no salary. Many earn less than $100 per week, despite the fact that scouts from all 32 NHL teams are in the stands or watching every minute on video, ready to recalibrate their draft boards based on a single shift. The financial implications are immeasurable. 

In most industries, we’ve begun to question unpaid internships and exploitative apprenticeships, especially when the work generates real revenue. Why should elite junior hockey be exempt from that conversation? This isn’t some backyard shinny tournament. It’s a globally broadcast event where teenage athletes perform under more pressure than most adults face in their entire careers. Their value to the system is undeniable. So why does the system still insist they’re amateurs?

It’s not like athlete compensation is uncharted territory. In the United States, college athletes can now earn money from their name, image and likeness (NIL) — a reform that fundamentally redefined amateur status in the NCAA. It was a long-overdue recognition that young athletes don’t just entertain, they generate value. Junior hockey isn’t there yet. But maybe it should be.

To be clear, this isn’t a call to overhaul the tournament. Canadians love it too much, and the players do too. But it is a moment to reflect on how we view youth ambition and labour in elite sport. When a tournament can influence multi-million-dollar contracts and long-term pro trajectories, we can’t pretend this is just a kids’ game. These players may not have offices, but make no mistake: this is their place of work.

Canada’s 2026 World Junior roster is stacked — but still unpaid

Consider what’s at stake for this year’s team. Canada hasn’t made it past the quarterfinals in two years. That’s not just disappointing, it’s considered a national embarrassment. Returnees like Porter Martone and Berkly Catton aren’t only playing for redemption; they’re also trying to prove they can lead. Catton is a projected captain. McKenna, who calls last year’s finish “unacceptable,” is on pace to go first overall in 2026. Meanwhile, others like Michael Hage, a potential breakout star and Montreal Canadiens prospect, are trying to convert summer camp success into roster spots and spotlight.

Then there’s the unpredictability. Some players who dominate at World Juniors never pan out in the NHL. Others barely make the roster and end up becoming superstars. Take Eric Lindros: he used the tournament as a launchpad and went on to become one of the greatest power forwards to ever play the game. More recently, look at Carter George. The goalie from Thunder Bay recorded two shutouts in last year’s tournament and was one of Canada’s top performers. And yet, he’s still technically an amateur.

This dynamic of teenagers operating in a hyper-professional environment without pay isn’t limited to hockey. But hockey lays it bare. These players face intense media scrutiny, relentless physical demands and national pressure, all while managing coursework, travel, injuries and personal growth. Many have already undergone surgeries, battled through rehab and played on national TV before they can legally drink. For all intents and purposes, it is employment. High-pressure, high-stakes and yet largely uncompensated.

And the stakes only grow. A gold medal can transform a prospect into a first-round lock. A bad tournament? It can raise questions no matter your resume. NHL GMs and agents watch every shift, every decision. For players like Roger McQueen, returning from a back injury, projected as Canada’s number-one centre, this tournament could be career-defining.

It’s also worth noting who isn’t there. NHL-affiliated prospects often miss the tournament because they’re already playing in the big league. Others are recovering from injury or left off the roster. Some snubs, like Michael Misa last year, return hungry and determined. Misa, who dominated the OHL, is now aiming to translate that into gold.

Canada’s Junior Hockey stars give everything, but what do they get in return?

The team projected by TSN’s Craig Button is stacked: 19 first-round NHL picks, and possibly 20 if you include McKenna. That’s an eye-popping stat, one that underscores how professionalized this amateur tournament has become. The players might not be paid, but the stakes are worth millions.

So, as Canadians gear up to watch another run at gold, let’s appreciate what these young athletes are actually doing. They’re not just playing for pride. They’re auditioning for futures. Some will rise. Some will fade. All will give everything for country and career.

They’re the heartbeat of our holidays, and maybe it’s time we asked whether we’re giving them enough in return. Because behind every moment of national pride is a teenager chasing not just a medal, but a living. And for a country that prides itself on fairness and opportunity, that’s a question worth asking.