Carson Carels and the rest of Team Canada after winning gold at the U18 Worlds in Texas. (Image Credit: Hockey Canada)

By Victor Kaisar

U18 Worlds

Cougars’ Carson Carels wins gold with Canada at U-18 Worlds in Texas

May 4, 2025 | 8:05 AM

FRISCO, TX — Carson Carels and the rest of Team Canada were golden in Texas Saturday (May 3) night.

Canada whipped Sweden 7-0 to win back-to-back gold medal games at the Under-18 world men’s hockey championships for the first time ever. It was just Canada’s sixth gold medal at this tournament and 11th overall

Carels, the 16-year-old Prince George Cougars defenceman finished with a goal in seven games. He was also a +11 at the tournament as Canada did not allow a goal in their final two games.

This is Carels’ first gold medal on the international stage. He won a silver medal after he suited up for Team Canada Red at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

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Carels is coming off a standout rookie season where he tallied six goals and 35 points in 60 regular season games – good for sixth among all rookie WHL defencemen. He also added a goal and four points in the playoffs as the Cougars fell in seven games to the Portland Winterhawks.

Prince George native Cameron Schmidt – who plays for the Vancouver Giants – was also part the roster. The 18-year-old draft-eligible forward finished with two goals and four points in seven games for Canada.