The puck drops for the 2026 IIHF U18’s on Wednesday, May 22. Canada is searching for its third straight gold medal, a feat only the United States has pulled off at this event when they won four in a row from 2009 to 2012. In fact, the top four finishers at the U18’s have been identical the last years, with Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Slovakia occupying the top four spots in some order. Will this year be different? History says yes.
Let’s take a look at Group A and preview some of the players to watch.
Canada
As mentioned Canada is searching for unprecedented success at this event (for the nation) as they try to capture their third straight gold medal. As is always the case, the team will be missing some possible key contributors thanks to the ongoing CHL playoffs, but it is always best to focus on the players who are available, versus those who are not. Additionally, Canada always tends to make a few late additions to their roster after the commencement of the tournament, as solid players become available following elimination from the CHL playoffs. Defensively, the team will be (at least initially) led by Keaton Verhoeff and Ryan Lin, two of the premier defenders eligible for the 2026 draft. As of writing this, Carson Carels and the Prince George Cougars are facing elimination in the WHL playoffs. Should he become available he’d become an immediate impact player for this defensive group. Up front Tynan Lawrence will get an opportunity to prove that he deserves to be considered the top center eligible for the 2026 Draft after a disappointing end to the year following a jump to the NCAA with Boston University. The real question lies in net where the team lacks a standout performer. Gavin Betts probably has the best chance to start because he was the Hlinka/Gretzky starter and he did have a strong end to his OHL season with Kingston.
Players to Watch
Keaton Verhoeff (2026)
Verhoeff’s NCAA year with North Dakota certainly had its ups and downs. The freshman played key minutes for North Dakota, helping them advance to the final four of the Frozen Four. However, consistency was an issue and he had some poor performances under the microscope of the Frozen Four late in the year. He now enters this event looking to dominate now that he’s back playing against his peers. He stood out positively as an underager last year and he’s going to get all the ice time that he can handle; scouts will be watching him closely.
Ryan Lin (2026)
A recent commit to the NCAA champion Denver Pioneers, Lin is a terrific offensive defender who, along with Verhoeff, gives Canada two potentially elite puck movers on the back-end. Lin also likely takes charge of the Canadian powerplay, which should be potent given the talent available. Scouts will be looking to see how Lin handles tough defensive assignments and that could be the difference between a lottery selection and a later first slot for him in June.
Tynan Lawrence (2026)
It was a strange year for Lawrence and it has led to a steady drop in the public rankings for him. His performance at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup to start the year was indifferent and then he got hurt at the start of the USHL season. Following a short return to Muskegon (USHL), Lawrence made the controversial decision to join Boston University half way through the year and his production took a big hit. Needless to say, he has a lot to prove at the U18’s, as he’ll be looking to prove to scouts that he does have the upside to be a front line center in the NHL.
Mathis Preston (2026)
It seems like this Canadian roster is filled with players with something to prove at this event and Preston is no different. He didn’t have the kind of season in the WHL many expected of him and this led to a trade from Spokane to Vancouver. An undersized winger, Preston is lightning quick and has offensive skill in spades, but he’ll need to prove that he can elevate his game when playing against the best. Scouts will be looking for him to be more dialed in physically, looking to assert himself more through the middle of the ice, rather than on the perimeter. He should be a first line winger and top powerplay option for Canada here.
Dima Zhilkin (2027)
Very quietly, Zhilkin may have been one of Canada’s top players at the summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup. After a great year in the OHL with Saginaw, expectations will be high for him at the U18’s as he looks to pace Canada offensively. Not NHL draft eligible until 2027, Zhilkin is a tenacious puck hound who never takes a shift off.
Alexis Joseph (2027)
An early favourite to be a top five selection at the 2027 NHL Draft, Alexis Joseph may be an underager at this event, but he could end up being one of Canada’s top offensive contributors. He dominated the U17’s this year en route to a gold medal and he’ll look to assert himself similarly at the U18’s. Casual hockey fans will likely know the name of Alexis Joseph by the end of this tournament.
Adam Valentini (2026)
No question, Valentini has to be one of this draft’s most polarizing players. He started off the year at the University of Michigan on a high note, but faded as the season went on. He’s intelligent. He’s a hard worker. However, there are significant questions about his NHL projection given his lack of standout athletic tools at his size. He’ll be counted on to be a key offensive contributor for Canada and it will be a great measuring stick for scouts to see him back playing against his own age group.
Maddox Dagenais (2026)
A later addition to this Canadian team after the Quebec Remparts were eliminated in round two, Dagenais is one of our largest risers on our recent rankings release. He moved up to 16th. The big forward has a heavy shot and impressive athletic upside. He’ll look to use this event to show that he can be a more consistent off puck player who can use his size effectively. He was really good in the second half of the QMJHL season and if he continues that strong play into the U18’s, he could secure a spot in the lottery.
Ryder Cali (2026)
Another late addition to Team Canada after the North Bay Battalion (OHL) were eliminated by the Brantford Bulldogs. Cali, like Dagenais, moved up significantly in our latest draft rankings and is now ranked as a first round selection by us (at 31). He’s a detail oriented forward who brings versatility, and his play driving ability improved drastically later in the OHL season. We’re big fans and he could have a true coming out party at the U18’s with the right role.
Slovakia
The Slovaks are hosting this event for the third time and they have yet to medal on home soil, however, they are entering this event with a ton of momentum. They have made the semi finals in three straight U18’s (along with Sweden, Canada, and the United States). Although a pessimist might point out the fact that they’ve lost three straight bronze medal games too. Slovakia will try to get over the hump this year as the hosts. They have a well balanced roster that already had experience playing at both the U18’s and the U20’s. Captain Adam Goljer leads a strong defense that could have several NHL draft picks and with Samuel Hrenka between the pipes, Slovakia shouldn’t have any issue keeping pucks out. A pair of 2027 eligible players from the USHL, Oliver Ozogany and Timothy Kazda will lead the offense.
Adam Goljer (2026)
Ranked 28th by us in our latest rankings, Goljer is an impressive two-way defensive prospect. He played all year against men in the Slovak men’s league and is playing at his second IIHF U18 tournament, part of why he was named captain for this event. Goljer has size, mobility, confidence at both ends, all from the right side. With a strong tournament, he could solidify his spot in the first round come June.
Lucian Bernat (2026)
The 6’4 winger was recently ranked inside the top 40 of European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He has been playing out of the Tappara program in Finland the last few years. Bernat will be a fixture in Slovakia’s top six at this event. He skates well for his size and can surprise with skill and finesse.
Jakub Floris (2026)
A favourite of the McKeen’s scouting team for the 2026 NHL Draft, we have Floris ranked 85th prior to the U18’s. The 6’3 defender oozes upside because he blends both size and athleticism from the right side. Like Bernat, Floris has also been playing out of Finland and this U18’s are going to be a big event for his stock.
Oliver Ozogany (2027)
This past summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup was a coming out party for Ozogany as he scored four goals at the event, pacing the Slovaks as an underager. The sharp shooting winger will be expected to do some heavy lifting at the U18’s too after spending his U17 year with Tri-City of the USHL. He’s a potential first round pick next year.
Timothy Kazda (2027)
Another 2027 eligible player to keep tabs on, Kazda is a late born 2008 who led the Chicago Steel (USHL) in goal scoring this year. He finished the USHL season on a real high note and will be coming into the tournament riding a confidence high. Wearing a letter at the event, Kazda will be heavily leaned on.
Samuel Hrenak (2026)
There’s no guarantee that Hrenak is the starter, despite being higher ranked for this draft than Denis Celko. However, he had a really strong end to his year in the USHL after crossing the pond in the second half. He possesses game stealing ability and his play could be key to pulling off an upset in the medal round.
Finland
Considering their success at other international levels, it’s pretty crazy to realize that Finland has failed to make the semi finals the last three years at the U18’s. And they haven’t medalled since 2018…although they did win gold then. The pressure is starting to add up for the Finns at this level because they also haven’t medalled at the Hlinka/Gretzky cup the last three years. A scary proposition is that the team could be without its most important player, Oliver Suvanto, to start the tournament as he continues to play in Liiga playoffs with Tappara. Additionally, two of the team’s best players from the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup will not be at this event. Oscar Hemming was not added to the roster due to his dispute with the IIHF and Finnish hockey over his release to North America this year. And Luka Arkko is injured. Regardless of the adversity, this team has enough talent to make it back to the semi finals for the first time since 2022.
Players to Watch
Oliver Suvanto (2026)
A potential lottery selection this year, Suvanto’s availability for the tournament is up in the air as he finishes the season with Tappara in Liiga playoffs. Hopefully for Finland, he’s able to make the start of the tournament. The two-way power center was terrific at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, where he put his name on the scouting map. He’ll be looking to repeat that performance here.
Juho Piiparinen (2026)
The top defender for Finland should also be one of the top defenders at this tournament. He’s a potential top 20 selection in June because of his strong two-way acumen and defensive upside. He was already a key player for the Finns at this event last year, so he should have the confidence to be a difference maker.
Samu Alalauri (2026)
Even though he’s not quite as highly ranked, Alalauri is equally important to this Finnish team as a two-way minute eater on the back-end. At times this year, our scouting team has asked the question, what truly separates Piiparinen from Alalauri? This event should add another piece to the puzzle that helps scouts answer that question. Interestingly, Alalauri recently committed to UMass, which obviously develops defenders well as a program.
Vilho Vanhatalo (2026)
Vanhatalo is a player scouts are going to be watching extremely closely at this event. The big winger has a terrific shot and great upside as a scorer, but he’s been remarkably inconsistent this season. The good news is that he closed the year (in the Finnish U20 league) on a high, helping Tappara U20 make a deep run in the playoffs.
Noel Pakarinen (2026)
Pakarinen is a player that will be key for Finland when it comes to beating other top teams at the U18’s because he plays such a heavy game. A true power forward, Pakarinen has a chance to be a difference maker with his physicality and energy in puck pursuit. A strong performance at the U18’s could make him a top two round pick in June.
Paavo Fugleberg (2028)
A late born 2009 winger, Fugleberg has a fair amount of hype for the 2028 draft, where he is currently considered one of the top players in his age group. He’s been playing for Finland across various U18 events this year (like the Nations tournaments) and he’s been terrific. He has a chance to be a key offensive contributor despite his young age.
Luca Santala (2027)
Speaking of underage players ready to take on large roles, enter Santala. If Suvanto isn’t ready to start the tournament, Santala could actually start the U18’s as Finland’s top line center and most integral playmaker. Like Fugleberg, he’s been great at U18 events this year and is considered a potential lottery selection for next year’s draft.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN
Latvia
Latvia has been a fixture at this event since 2019 and they’ve played in the quarterfinals for four straight years. However, they could be in very tough this year due to some injuries and unavailable players. The round robin game against Norway will likely decide who misses out on the quarterfinals. All that said, the Latvians have proved to be extremely pesky; even without their best lineup they could still surprise. One of the team’s top forwards, Roberts Naudins of Shattuck St. Mary’s (and a potential first rounder in 2027), is apparently missing the U18’s because of schooling and graduation. The team’s most important player, Olivers Murnieks, has been banged up most of the year and may not even be healthy enough to play at this event. Maybe there’s a chance that Rudolfs Berzkalns will be made available by Muskegon (USHL) at some point, but Muskegon would need to lose soon in the USHL playoffs for that to happen.
Players to Watch
Olivers Murnieks (2026)
It’s been a trying year for Murnieks in the QMJHL with Saint John. He entered the season garnering first round consideration, but he’s battled injuries all year that have limited his development. He’s not even guaranteed to be healthy enough to suit up for Latvia at this event, but given his importance to the team, it’s likely he tries. How effective he will be remains to be seen.
Patriks Plumins (2026)
The big netminder was a part of Latvia’s U18 team last year, but didn’t really see the ice. This year he returns as the likely starter. Ranked by NHL Central Scouting, Plumins played well in the Latvian pro league this year and the U18 team is going to need him (or someone else) to really shut the door in order for Latvia to make the quarterfinals.
Martins Klaucans (2026)
Like Murnieks, Klaucans made the jump to the QMJHL this year with Sherbrooke, but posted modest numbers. In reality, he’s best designed to play a high energy, checking role like he did for Latvia at the U20 WJC’s this year, but he’s going to be leaned on to provide more offense at the U18 event.
Foto: Pär Olert / BILDBYRÅN / COP 108 / PO0180
Norway
The Norwegians have narrowly avoided relegation at the U18’s in three straight years, finishing last in their group and having to play in the relegation round in 2023, 2024, and 2025. While their perseverance is admirable, there is no doubt that Norway would prefer to play a quarterfinal matchup in 2026. As mentioned earlier in the Latvia write up, the April 26th game against Latvia is going to be crucial as the loser of that game, barring a collapse of one of the three higher ranked nations, would likely head to the relegation round. Norway will be led by potential 2026 first round selection Niklas Aaram-Olsen who will be playing in his third straight U18’s after leading Norway in scoring last year as an underager. He brings SHL experience and helped Norway re-qualify for the main group at the U20 level earlier this year. The team will need him to be at his best; Norway likely goes only as far as he can take them.
Players to Watch
Niklas Aaram-Olsen (2026)
Ranked at 41st in our recent rankings release for 2026, Aaram-Olsen will be the straw that stirs the drink for Norway. As mentioned, he will be playing at his third U18’s and led Norway in scoring last year. The smooth skating power winger loves to attack North/South and is a dangerous scorer from anywhere on the ice.
Philip Tollefsen (2028)
One of two 2010 born players on this Norwegian team, Tollefsen is the son of former NHL defender Ole-Kristian Tollefsen. Despite his age, he has been one of Norway’s top defenders at the U18 level internationally all year. He has the all around skill set and the pedigree to be a high selection in 2028.
William Backlund (2028)
The other 2010 born defender on the Norway roster, Backlund also is a key contributor for this U18 team despite his age. He doesn’t have the physical tools that Tollefsen is blessed with at this time, but he’s a dynamic offensive defender who likely quarterbacks the Norwegian powerplay. Like Tollefsen, he’s a big time name to watch for in the future.
Benjamin Ask Haglund (2027)
Another top underager at this event for Norway, Haglund is a 2009 born forward who has actually led the Norwegian U18 team in scoring internationally this year. He’s also been a point per game player in the Swedish U18 league as an underager. Look for him to provide secondary offense behind Aaram-Olsen.
Casper Kjølmoen (2026)
Besides Aaram-Olsen, Kjølmoen is probably Norway’s most important forward and will play key minutes in all situations. He’s a hard working, quick skating winger whose energy and physicality will be needed to topple some of the higher ranked giants. He’s had a good season in the Swedish U20 for Lulea and has experience from last year’s U18’s.