Makar, Colorado's first-round selection (fourth overall) at the 2017 NHL Draft, is playing for the University of Massachusetts this season and has registered nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 15 contests. His eight helpers are tied for the team lead and he is fifth among Minutemen in points.
Last year, the Calgary, Alberta, native was the highest-scoring defenseman in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with 24 goals and 51 assists in 54 contests with the Brooks Bandits. He played for Canada West at the 2016 World Junior-A Challenge last December and had eight points (four goals, four assists) in four games at the tournament.
Colorado's second selection (32nd overall) in the draft, Timmins is in his second season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. Playing at more than a point-per-game pace, he has recorded 32 points (six goals, 26 assists) in 26 contests, ranking fourth (tied) in scoring among OHL blueliners.
Both rear guards also attended Hockey Canada's Summer Development Camp.
Canada is looking for its 16th world-junior gold medal and will continue to prepare with pre-tournament games on Dec. 20 against the Czech Republic and Dec. 22 versus Switzerland.
The 2018 World Junior Championship begins on Dec. 26 and will take place in Buffalo, New York. Canada will play four games in five days during the preliminary round, including a showdown with the United States in the first outdoor game in tournament history on Dec. 29 at New Era Field, home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills.
