BSEN Q & A News Release Share this BSEN Q&A – World Juniors Memories w/ Jorian Donovan and Tomas Hamara January 4, 2026 The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships produce some exciting memories for players and long-lasting career moments that stick with hockey fans for decades. With at least half a dozen current Belleville Sens having suited up for their country at the “World Juniors”, the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network’s Zach Staden will be chatting with some of those players to reflect on their experiences and share some of those memories. In our fourth edition, a conversation with defencemen Tomas Hamara and Jorian Donovan about their World Junior memories, competing against each other, and more! —– BSEN: What stands out most when you think back to winning silver and bronze at the World Juniors? TH: It’s truly a great tournament, and it was my dream to play there, so it was amazing to experience it. The atmosphere, having Christmas and New Year’s with the team. I was fortunate enough to win two out of the three years I played, so it was pretty amazing. BSEN: How proud were you to help Czechia come away with a medal on that stage? TH: So proud. We hadn’t won a medal for such a long time before this, so it was a huge achievement back then. It was amazing. I really felt that it gave me so much confidence moving forward. BSEN: As you play more over the years, you grow. In 2024 you played a pretty big role as the tournament went on. How did things change for you, especially in the big games? TH: I mean, those tournaments all had their differences. In 2024, that was my last year, so I had a bigger role and opportunity, but also got to be a leader. In those big games, it was tough because you know every game matters. I learned a lot about myself, tried to help the team the best I could, and I’m grateful for that experience. BSEN: You come out with a 3-2 win over Canada in the quarter-finals, a massive hockey nation. We talked about the recent success of Czechia. What made that game so intense? TH: It was so tough, especially the second period, because I can still remember it. It was a longer change for us, especially the defencemen. We spent a lot of time in the defensive zone, as they obviously had so many skilled guys on their side. I was just glad we survived that period. I felt that we were close to them for the first and the third periods, and in the end we had a lucky bounce to move on to the semis. BSEN: What was it like competing against your current teammate Jorian Donovan in that quarterfinal? TH: We played in juniors together for part of that season in the OHL, so it was pretty special. Obviously there was chirping before and after the game, but I’m just glad we were on the winning side of that. BSEN: What was your toughest moment that you had to overcome at the World Juniors? TH: It’s tough to say. The whole tournament is very short, so you cannot get too high or too low. We lost games that we should have won. Our Boxing Day game against Canada—we won that game, but that emotion is something you have to keep calm. You can’t be too high or too low. BSEN: You talked about how much it meant not only to your nation, but to the team and yourself, to win a medal. You mentioned it earlier how did winning bronze and silver help your confidence moving forward? TH: Yeah, for sure. A lot of people watch the tournament, and it’s usually the best players from your age group competing against each other. So it gave me confidence for sure, but I also think the country gave us confidence, and now you can see it rubbing off on the younger guys. A few years in a row now, we have made the semis, so it’s great to see. BSEN: When you watch the World Juniors now, do you see moments that bring you right back to those tournaments? TH: Oh, for sure! I mean, this year and last year too, when I watched the games or even just the highlights, it always brings me back to some great memories. I miss it a lot! BSEN: Canada is playing Czechia on Sunday in the semis. Will you be watching, and what’s your prediction? TH: I mean, it’s going to be a tough game against Canada. They have a great team. I feel like they have a lot more pressure than Czechia every year, so I think Czechia will win again, and I cannot wait to chirp my teammates about that. —– BSEN: Can you take us back to the moment you found out you were joining Team Canada for the World Juniors? JD: I was actually at Nordic Spa with my girlfriend, and I saw my phone ringing! I hadn’t checked it in a while, so I decided to pick it up and saw my agent was calling, then the Canadian general manager. It was a pretty cool but unexpected moment, I was super excited and fired up. BSEN: Most players have a heads up to adjust and settle in, but for you it was quick. How challenging was it jumping into the tournament on short notice? JD: It was a big change because obviously you go to international ice, and that is a way different atmosphere. Then flying nine to ten hours and playing that night was pretty tough. But it was really exciting. You just get a ton of energy from playing in the game, so yeah, it was a big adjustment. BSEN: Was there anything in particular that you felt was the biggest adjustment? Maybe the flight, getting familiar with your surroundings, team, or just a body adjustment? JD: One of the biggest things is that I had never experienced jet lag, so that was a big thing! Another was going from the ice in Brantford, which was a tiny little rink. I felt those were probably the two biggest things that I really had to adjust too. BSEN: We talked about this with your fellow countryman Scott Harrington. What did wearing the Canadian jersey at the World Juniors mean to you personally? JD: It was everything! Everyone says this, but you grow up as a kid watching this tournament. My dad played, so it was pretty special to kind of follow in his footsteps, but it was a huge honour. I mean, it’s your country and you just want to put your best foot forward. BSEN: What do you remember most about your first shift or first game in the tournament? JD: Yeah, it was quick. To be honest, I don’t remember a whole bunch of it. I just remember stepping onto the ice and being in such awe. We were in Sweden, which I hadn’t been to before, and seeing their fans and how the hockey culture is over there is just so much different. The whole atmosphere was unbelievable, so it’s just one of those moments that you’re kind of in almost “blackout” mode. BSEN: How intense was the quarterfinal against Czechia, especially with it being a whole new feeling and experience? JD: I’m super excited that Canada gets another shot at Czechia on Sunday, and I will be cheering for Canada. I played against Tomas Hamara at the World Juniors, and he got the best of me while I was there, so hopefully these guys can pull through! BSEN: What did you learn about yourself as a player from that World Juniors experience? JD: For me, it was learning to adjust to new guys on a team, a crazy atmosphere, and the stakes that come with a tournament like this. You’re in that big atmosphere where everyone is watching on center stage. I mean, it’s one of the biggest stages for hockey, and it’s special, but also a learning moment on how to play with that pressure. I feel that those were the biggest things that I had to learn, but of course enjoy at the same time. BSEN: When you look back now, how has that tournament helped prepare you for pro hockey? JD: I think for pro hockey, with our schedule and how busy it is, it’s being able to adapt to different things. I mentioned the jet lag earlier, and we don’t have to worry about that here, but just all of the travel we do. I think that was something I really had to adjust to from junior because it is a lot more, and in the World Juniors all it was was travel! BSEN: We asked Tomas Hamara this and now we’re asking you. Czechia versus Canada in the semifinals on Sunday, will you be watching, and what’s your prediction? JD: I think Canada is taking this one. I feel we are due! So yeah, I think they are going to win and then end up taking gold, so go Canada! They are going to pull through. —– Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on X: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens Listen to the Belleville Sens on Mixlr: www.bellevillesens.mixlr.com
