Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
Soo Greyhounds defenceman Callum Croskey continues to build an impressive resume, as the 6-foot-1, 180-pound blueliner from Oakville, Ontario has been named to Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team for the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. The tournament is set to take place April 22 to May 2 in Bratislava and Trenčín, Slovakia, where Team Canada will be aiming for its third consecutive gold medal. Croskey is one of eight defencemen selected to the roster, which also includes three goaltenders and 14 forwards, highlighting his growing reputation as a reliable and impactful presence on the back end.
Adding to the local connection, Croskey will be guided by a familiar name behind the bench to Greyhound fans, as Soo Greyhounds alumnus Drew Bannister takes on the role of head coach for Team Canada. The opportunity marks a significant milestone in Croskey’s young career, placing him among the top under-18 players in the country and giving him a chance to represent Canada on one of the sport’s biggest international stages.
Croskey’s selection is the latest step in a steady climb through Hockey Canada’s development system. His international experience includes appearances at the 2025 National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team Selection Camp (White), the 2024 U17 World Challenge with Canada White, the 2024 National Under-17 Development Camp (Black), and the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games representing Canada. He was also part of the bronze medal-winning Canadian squad at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, further demonstrating his ability to contribute in high-pressure, elite-level competition.
During the 2025-26 season with the Soo Greyhounds, Croskey recorded 18 points (3 goals, 15 assists) in 43 games, showcasing both his offensive upside and steady defensive play. Despite missing the first 25 games of the season due to a pre-season injury suffered on September 12 in Saginaw, he made a strong return, debuting on November 28 in Sarnia. From there, Croskey continued to gain momentum, scoring his first OHL goal on December 14 against Oshawa and adding his first career playoff goal on March 31 against London in Game 3 of their postseason series.
His performance did not go unnoticed. Croskey was named to the Western Conference roster for the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game and earned recognition off the ice as co-winner of the Greyhounds’ Jerry Bumbacco Trophy as Scholastic Player of the Year. He was also ranked 110th among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings, further solidifying his status as a player to watch heading into the next level.
Before joining the Greyhounds, Croskey spent the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he appeared in 54 games and recorded 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists). His development path also includes a standout 2023-24 season with the Oakville Rangers U16 AAA program, where he tallied 52 points (12 goals, 40 assists) in just 29 regular season games, along with 14 points in eight playoff contests. That performance led to his selection in the second round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.
With a strong blend of size, skill, and international experience, Croskey now heads to Slovakia with an opportunity to play a key role on a Canadian team chasing gold. For the Soo Greyhounds and their fans, his selection is another proud moment, as one of their own prepares to represent the country on the world stage.
