Carter George – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #27 Los Angeles Kings – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 18:00:13 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 26: Canada's Carter George #30 tends the net in the first period against Czechia during Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at 3M Arena at Mariucci on December 26, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

Prospect System Ranking – 27th (Last Year - 24th)
GM: Ken Holland Hired: May 2025
COACH: D.J. Smith (Interim) Hired: March 2026

What was once considered one of the league’s premier prospect pipelines has quickly thinned into one of the NHL’s more shallow systems. Unfortunately for the Kings, that decline in organizational depth has coincided with limited postseason success, including four consecutive first-round exits. The most significant blow to the depth chart came just prior to this year’s Olympic break, when Los Angeles moved its top prospect, Liam Greentree (36th), in a blockbuster deal to acquire Russian superstar Artemi Panarin. While the trade carries clear long-term implications for the organization’s prospect pool, it does represent a calculated gamble to add elite talent capable of immediately elevating the Kings’ offensive ceiling.

With Greentree no longer in the system, Los Angeles does not feature a prospect within McKeen’s Top 100. Goaltender Carter George (111th) now stands as the organization’s most intriguing young asset and highlights what has quietly become one of the stronger goaltending pipelines in the league. George is one of three netminders among the club’s top six prospects at McKeen’s, joined by Hampton Slukynsky (176th), who has enjoyed an impressive NCAA career that includes a national championship and a 45–14–2 record with Western Michigan. Meanwhile, Erik Portillo continues to provide reliable depth within the organization at the AHL level in Ontario. Another intriguing name between the pipes is Petteri Rimpinen, part of a nine-player 2025 draft class that represented one of the Kings’ larger prospect hauls in recent years. That group also includes Henry Brzustewicz (148th) and Vojtech Cihar (170th), both of whom appear on McKeen’s Top 200 list.

Although Los Angeles still holds valuable draft capital, which includes three second-round selections in 2026, recent additions such as Artemi Panarin and veteran Scott Laughton signal an organization intent on remaining competitive in the near term. Whether that approach ultimately lifts the Kings back into contention or keeps them stuck in the league’s competitive middle tier remains to be seen.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
LA	1	Carter George	G	20	6-1/195	OS-Soo (OHL)	46	23	17	2.73	0.907
LA	2	Henry Brzustewicz	D	19	6-2/200	London (OHL)	59	19	35	54	57
LA	2	Henry Brzustewicz	D	19	6-2/200	Ontario (AHL)	5	0	0	0	8
LA	3	Vojtech Cihar	LW	19	6-1/180	Kelowna (WHL)	31	12	19	31	14
LA	3	Vojtech Cihar	LW	19	6-1/180	HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czechia)	27	4	4	8	8
LA	4	Hampton Slukynsky	G	20	6-1/180	Western Michigan (NCAA)	39	27	11	2.30	0.915
LA	5	Kenny Connors	C	23	6-0/190	Ontario (AHL)	65	15	26	41	30
LA	5	Kenny Connors	C	23	6-0/190	Los Angeles (NHL)	2	0	0	0	0
LA	6	Erik Portillo	G	25	6-6/210	Ontario (AHL)	30	18	7	2.45	0.907
LA	7	Jared Woolley	D	20	6-4/215	Ldn-Kit (OHL)	66	12	24	36	74
LA	8	Jimmy Lombardi	C	19	6-0/185	Flint (OHL)	65	36	36	72	69
LA	9	Koehn Ziemmer	RW	21	6-0/205	Ontario (AHL)	57	11	13	24	27
LA	10	Jared Wright	RW	23	6-1/180	Ontario (AHL)	54	17	13	30	11
LA	10	Jared Wright	RW	23	6-1/180	Los Angeles (NHL)	23	0	4	4	4
LA	11	Kristian Epperson	LW	20	6-0/180	Denver (NCAA)	40	11	11	22	14
LA	12	Ryan Conmy	RW	21	5-9/190	Boston College (NCAA)	35	9	18	27	10
LA	13	Martin Chromiak	LW	23	6-0/185	Ontario (AHL)	71	28	28	56	14
LA	14	Petteri Rimpinen	G	20	6-0/175	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-Liiga)	35	13	11	2.29	0.911
LA	15	Jakub Dvorak	D	21	6-5/205	Ontario (AHL)	45	4	3	7	41

1. Carter George, G, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

The jury is still out on George’s 2025/26 season. The first half saw a bit of regression on a rebuilding Owen Sound Attack team, in addition to a disappointing WJC performance for Canada. However, since being dealt to the Soo Greyhounds, George has been lights out and played well during this year’s OHL playoffs. George isn’t the biggest netminder, but he’s very quick, and he tracks the play well, showing intense focus as a competitor in the crease. His composure was evident in his end of the year cup of coffee with Ontario of the AHL last year, where he was electric as an underage pro. Next season, he’ll start his pro career, and expectations are pretty high for George in the Kings’ organization. However, this is also an organization with two other terrific goaltending prospects. While George still looks like the front runner to develop into LA’s future starter, he’ll need to continue to show progress to keep up, especially if Slukynsky decides to sign after his sophomore season.

2. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights (OHL) (Currently with Ontario Reign, AHL)

Brzustewicz has had a nice breakout season in his draft year plus one, thanks to the graduation of Sam Dickinson to the San Jose Sharks. He’s taken charge of the London Knights blueline and actually has a chance to lead the team in scoring when all is said and done this year. He’s playing in all situations and gaining valuable experience that will help him blossom into a potential two-way defender at the NHL level, too. Brzustewicz is mobile, physically assertive, and has a big point, which he uses to help generate scoring chances. His game hasn’t been without its warts this year at both ends; he’s still a raw, longer-term project. However, if all goes right, Brzustewicz has a chance to develop into a long-term NHL defender who could be a jack of all trades type for the Kings. He’ll return to the Knights next year, where he should be one of the better defenders in the OHL, in addition to being a key member of the United States’ WJC team.

3. Vojtech Cihar, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Vojtech Cihar came over to the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets after being named the MVP of the 2026 World Junior Championship. He’s had a solid start to his tenure in Kelowna, although maybe not quite the offensive numbers that you would expect from the World Junior MVP. It took Cihar a little bit to adjust to the new league, but he is looking more and more comfortable with every game he plays. He is being trusted in a penalty killing role in Kelowna as well. Drafted out of the Czech pro league, Cihar was known for his hard-working mentality and physical approach. However, his offensive game has taken massive steps forward, as evidenced by that strong WJC performance. Now, his game is centered around his smarts and his skill with the puck. He is constantly in the right area and is able to find teammates in moments that many players can’t. As his offensive game continues to evolve, Cihar’s projection has moved from more bottom six type, to potential middle six type.

4. Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan (NCAA) (Currently with Ontario Reign, AHL)

Slukynsky has been a proven winner. In his first full USHL season, he won USHL goalie of the year and won the Clark Cup. He then followed that up by joining Western Michigan University, where he once again played incredibly well. He helped lead Western Michigan to the NCHC title and won the National Championship. He also won the Gold Medal with the US in the U20 World juniors, where he was once again spectacular in net. This season has been much of the same. Slukynsky has very controlled movements, with excellent poise and patience to limit mistakes. He has excellent lower body strength and flexibility that allows him to cover the entire bottom of the net efficiently and be difficult to move off his spots amidst chaos. When it comes to projecting his future role, his smaller frame will likely give him some issues at higher levels against better shooters, but his poise and athleticism, along with his ability to hardly waste any movement, are all NHL traits that should translate. His winning pedigree is hard to ignore and that ability to rise to the occasion at every stop could get him into those future roles.

5. Kenny Connors, C, Ontario Reign (AHL)

A fourth-round pick in 2022 who spent 3 years at UMass Amherst, Connors earned his first NHL call-up in his first ever pro season. Connors was clicking at a point–per-game pace when he was called up by the Kings and did enough as a two-way player to earn a look with the big club. Connors was able to earn the trust of his coaches in Ontario thanks to his sound defensive game, positional ability, and general awareness when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick. Overall, Connors is a cerebral player, as he was able to develop that aspect of his game over the course of his collegiate career, and it’s already shown up as a plus factor for him in pro hockey. The question now becomes if he can add any sort of offense to his game, which would certainly raise his ceiling at the NHL level. However, even if he doesn’t, Connors’ combination of size and skill could help him carve a solid pro career.

6. Erik Portillo, G, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Portillo has seen his performance dramatically improve this season, pulling his save percentage solidly above .900 after having failed to do so in his sophomore AHL season. Portillo has always been known to stay deeper in the net, which is often the case with Swedish goaltenders. While that often burned him last year, Portillo has found a better balance this season, and it has allowed him to fully leverage his massive 6’ 6” frame. Lateral quickness and overall agility remain a bit of a concern, as Portillo’s feet and hands can sometimes lag behind the play. However, he does a great job of setting himself into a strong initial position. The more that he can increase his battle level and second save ability, the more his prospects of becoming an NHL goalie will increase. Portillo has done a better job this season of cutting down the shooter’s angle when he needs to; however, against faster and more skilled NHL competition, his reaction time and overall quickness will be further tested. There remains an intriguing goalie prospect here.

7. Jared Woolley, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

The big and athletic defender from the Knights has developed extremely well since being a sixth-round selection of the Kings. The second half of last season really saw Woolley blossom as a confident two-way threat, and that has carried over to this year, where he has already set personal bests in every offensive category. Finishing the year with the Kitchener Rangers, Woolley has taken a bit of a backseat offensively in the name of being more of a defensive anchor, but it hasn’t altered his NHL outlook. He’ll turn pro next season, and what the future truly holds for him remains to be seen. Given his rapid improvement level and athletic build, it would be unwise to put a cap on his NHL upside. A standout at recent Kings’ development camps, Woolley is very well liked within the organization and it does appear likely that he’ll develop into an NHL player in some capacity. Los Angeles will probably get a better read on his offensive upside next year as a first-year pro.

8. Jimmy Lombardi, C, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

A McKeen’s favourite at last year’s draft, we ranked him 59th. Lombardi has been a breakout star in the OHL this year for the upstart Flint Firebirds. With the supporting staff improving around Lombardi, he has embraced a leadership role as a two-way standout, and the offensive production has become incredibly consistent. A skilled and creative pivot who excels in transition, Lombardi has even more room to blossom as he continues to add strength to his frame and power to his stride. As mentioned, Lombardi is also a competitive two-way player who can excel in any situation. With such a well-rounded skill set, there are a lot of different paths to the NHL for him. Originally committed to Michigan, Lombardi recently signed his ELC and that likely eliminates him from NCAA contention next year. As such, he appears headed for another year in the OHL where he should continue to show growth as an offensive contributor. Lombardi could be a sneaky candidate to lead the league in scoring next season.

9. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

After a consistent run with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, Ziemmer, a former third round selection, turned pro this year with Ontario. Ziemmer’s calling cards have always been his high end shot and his high energy, physical approach. He projects as a potential half wall powerplay option because of his quick release. He’s also an intelligent player who can find soft spots in coverage and operate as a solid complementary piece because of his work ethic and supporting skill/touch. The biggest need for Ziemmer has always been to improve his quickness and explosiveness and that remains to this day. It was evident at the pro level this year that he needs to upgrade his skating to be a consistent offensive contributor at higher levels. Additionally, he’ll need to continue to improve his strength and conditioning to find consistent success as a physical power winger the way that he did in the WHL. Much like how LA has been patient with a similar player in Francesco Pinelli, the Kings will need to be patient with Ziemmer. With a few more years in the AHL, he could develop into that middle six goal scorer who can play a variety of different roles.

10. Jared Wright, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

The 2022 sixth-round pick is turning in a rookie pro season that belies his draft position, as he is fourth in goal scoring on the Ontario Reign . After spending three years at the University of Denver, Wright is on pace for 20 goals in the AHL in his first season out of college, which is the testament to the longer developmental path that he has taken. The offensive production is particularly exciting given that Wright himself has described himself as more of a checker, able to contribute in all three zones without the puck. Couple that with a strong work ethic and a great skating stride, and Wright clearly has the foundation of a game that should translate to a depth role in the NHL. Yet, if he can continue to build on the offensive season that he has had, then there is certainly a conversation to be had as to whether his ceiling in pro hockey may be higher than once thought. Wright could develop into a solid bottom-six player for the LA Kings down the line.

11. Kristian Epperson, LW, University of Denver (NCAA)

Epperson made the jump to the NCAA this year with Denver after a breakout season with Saginaw of the OHL last year. He’s a high energy, complementary offensive piece who projects as a middle six winger in the future.

12. Ryan Conmy, RW, Boston College (NCAA)

While undersized, Conmy has found success as a complementary offensive player at the NCAA level, first with New Hampshire, and now with Boston College after a transfer.

13. Martin Chromiak, LW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Chromiak has improved steadily over four AHL seasons and has now put himself in position to earn a possible spot on the Kings. The issue for Chromiak is that he doesn’t project well as a bottom six piece, which means that he’ll need to prove that he can hack it as an offensive contributor.

14. Petteri Rimpinen, G, Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga)

Was Rimpinen a flash in the pan? That’s the million dollar question as he has failed to replicate his breakout season from last year. He doesn’t have the size teams are looking for these days, but he’s an elite athlete in the crease. Hopefully he gets back on track next season.

15. Jakub Dvorak, D, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Big stay at home defender with practically no offensive upside. However, he could possibly develop into an asset on the PK and as a dependable third pair type.

2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – TEAM MCKEEN’S PREDICTIONS – Final Medal Standings, Tournament MVP, Top Forward, Top Defense, Top Goaltender, Best 2026 Draft Eligibles and Biggest Surprises

Team McKeens — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:31:31 +0000

USA Celebrating 2025 World Juniors win

The 2026 World Junior Championships are set to kick off on Boxing Day (December 26), with Minnesota and the United States hosting. Can Canada get back on track after two disappointing quarterfinal losses? Can the United States win their first gold on home soil and three-peat? Members of the McKeen’s team have come together to bring you our predictions for the tournament.

Final Medal Standings Predictions

GOLD

Canada - 19

USA - 3

Sweden - 2

SILVER

Sweden - 11

USA - 7

Czechia - 3

Canada - 3

BRONZE

Sweden - 8

Czechia - 7

USA - 6

Canada - 2

Finland - 1

Who Wins Tournament MVP?

Michael Misa - 8 votes

Gavin McKenna - 5 votes

Porter Martone - 3 votes

Anton Frondell - 2 votes

James Hagens - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Max Plante, Carter George, Cole Hutson, Ivar Stenberg

Who Wins Best Forward?

Michael Misa - 7

Gavin McKenna - 5

Porter Martone - 4

Ivar Stenberg - 3

James Hagens - 2

Anton Frondell - 2

Also receiving votes (1): Victor Eklund

Who Wins Best Defender?

Cole Hutson - 10

Zayne Parekh - 5

Radim Mrtka - 2

Adam Jiricek - 2

Also receiving votes (1): Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Harrison Brunicke, Carson Carels, Chase Reid, Kashawn Aitcheson

Who Wins Best Goaltender?

Carter George - 12

Jack Ivankovic - 4

Petteri Rimpinen - 4

Joshua Ravensbergen - 2

Also receiving votes (1): Michal Pradel, Kim Saarinen

Which 2026 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Has the Best Tournament?

KANATA, ONTARIO - JANUARY 2: Canada's Gavin McKenna #9 shoots the puck during warm-up prior to Quarterfinal Round action against Czechia at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship at Canadian Tire Centre on January 2, 2025 in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andr Ringuette/IIHF)

Gavin McKenna

“He feels the need to prove that he's the best player when it comes back to U20 hockey.” - Chase Rochon

“He has been receiving big minutes in practice and the preliminary game against Sweden. I project he will be their top line left wing and that his game will carry over extremely well to this tournament's fast paced style of play.” - Linc Zdancewicz

“McKenna is a generational offensive talent with elite hockey IQ and creativity. He already has high scoring totals in junior leagues and dominated at the U18 level. With Canada’s top offensive role likely entrusted to him, he has the best combination of opportunity and skill to post standout numbers and influence medal outcomes. He plays with a level of confidence and pace rarely seen at his age, allowing him to consistently drive possession and dictate offensive flow. His skating acceleration and ability to separate from defenders should translate extremely well on the bigger WJC stage. He also thrives in clutch situations, often elevating his game late in tight matches. With strong linemates and heavy power-play usage, his points should come both at even strength and on special teams. Altogether, his skill set and expected role make him the clear favorite to be the standout draft-eligible player of the tournament.” - Marek Novotny

“I think this tournament will be a perfect chance for McKenna to show the doubters that he is still the top prospect for this draft. I think he’ll be able to hone his skill and put up big numbers and potentially be the top player of the tournament.” - Mika Burns

“His transition from the WHL to the NCAA hasn't been smooth or easy, but he still possesses all-world talent, he's proven himself to be a big-game performer in the past, and he'll be extra motivated to silence some of the recent criticism of him that has popped up in the public.” - Derek Neumeier

“After being underutilized last year, McKenna returns to the tournament with lofty expectations to lead Canada to gold as Bedard and Lafreniere did before in their draft years. The Wizard from Whitehorse is going to show everyone how dominant he can be at his own age level after sharpening his tools in the NCAA. The line of McKenna-Misa-Martone will be the stuff of legends.” - Kyle Watson

“I think Gavin McKenna will rise to the occasion and explode offensively. He will get more offensive opportunity than last year, he will play with Martone to start which the two were an elite duo at the U18 level and also playing with Misa who has the skills to match his will help him a lot to produce. The experience playing against older guys in the NCAA and coming back playing against his age group will help him be more confident.” - Jeremy Rivet

“He'll be a premier offensive player for Canada and will have all the opportunity to give scouts reassurance of his status as the top prospect in the draft.” - Kyle Dalla Zanna

“Gavin McKenna should finally get to demonstrate at these World Juniors why he is the consensus number one pick for the 2026 NHL draft. Besides being on a stacked Canadian squad, he should be given every opportunity to showcase his skills against the best junior players in the world. The skill set is just too high for him not to succeed.” - Mark Dube

“After a frustrating year in the NCAA where McKenna has been largely smothered offensively and has been a liability in his own end, the stakes have never been higher to have an MVP performance. This is McKenna's opportunity to all but solidify himself as the 1st overall pick should he dominate as we've seen in his WHL days. On a stacked Canada team he finds himself in a position to succeed with nearly any line mates. The circumstances surrounding this tournament are too grand for McKenna to give anything but his absolute best performance and given the amount of skill he possesses, McKenna should be the best overall player in Minnesota.” - Kaeden Ireland

“Gavin shines when the pressure is on, especially when representing his country at International Tournaments. He knows the buzz surrounding his game & all eyes are on him but I predict he will excel at this year's tournament & be a dominant player for Team Canada.” - Liam Staples

FRISCO, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Sweden's Ivar Stenberg #15 skates to the bench with teammates after scoring a first period goal against USA during Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on April 26, 2025 in Frisco, Texas, USA. (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu/IIHF)

Ivar Stenberg

“Not that it will do much to raise his stock but Ivar Stenberg. He’ll be one of the focal points on a dangerous Sweden team and should finish just behind Frondell in the tournament scoring race.” - Jamison Derksen

“Despite currently stringing together the best SHL draft season in history, Stenberg is relatively unknown to fans compared to McKenna, or even Verhoeff. I think he will put together the best performance of the draft eligibles and potentially lead the tournament in scoring. He will be a household name after the tournament.” - Ben Misfeldt

“He was lights out at the U18s, easily the standout for Sweden there. Now, playing against older competition but alongside some of the same teammates, I can see him having another electric tournament. He's also having an excellent season that could push his momentum towards the best tournament.” - Kyle Pereira

“Behind Frondell and Eklund gets to play against top team's 2nd/3rd lines and shine from there.” - Arttu Myllymäki

“Ivar Stenberg will have the best tournament of all players eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. He is already playing at a record-breaking pace in the SHL and will demonstrate why he is in the conversation for the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. They know they have an elite player in Stenberg with what he has displayed this season so far. He surely will play a lot of minutes to give the best chances to team Sweden to win a medal.” - Jer Tremblay

“I fully believe Stenberg has the talent to be one of the most impactful players for Team Sweden. He’s having a great season in the Swedish top tier league, averaging nearly a point per game. He’s coming in great shape and should have an important role on a team which has the ambition to medal. I think Stenberg will continue in his SHL form and scores at a PPG rate at least.” - Matej Deraj

“Based on the season he’s having in the SHL, being a dominant force on the best team in the nation, and the fact that his form is at its peak just in time for WJC will result in him having the best tournament.” - Viktor Ahlund

Alberts Smits

“Looking from the outside in, the Latvian defenseman may log more minutes than just about any other 2026 draft eligible player in this tournament. His team will need to lean on him perhaps more than any other team will lean on a 2026-eligible player. His stats will likely not reflect how good/important his tournament is as his team is facing a considerable uphill battle against Canada, Czechia, and Finland. It is then damned to defeat Denmark. Surviving is naturally the central goal. He should be asked to be the key figure in this endeavor and that's what will concern the scouts when they're watching Latvia play. They'll want to see him embody the importance of his role in ensuring survival, and hopefully a nice little surprise here or there.” - Chapin Landvogt

Viggo Bjorck

“I can definitely see Viggo Björck driving much of the offense for Team Sweden and reestablishing himself near the top of the 2026 draft projections—though probably not in the top five, more likely in the 8–10 range.” - Joey Fortin Boulay

Carson Carels

“I think Carson Carels will have the best tournament among draft-eligible players. He might be a bit of an unknown commodity to some fans of the tournament, but he truly has been excellent in the WHL this year with the Prince George Cougars. He's incredibly difficult to play against, eats tough minutes against the best the league has to offer, and has a nice offensive touch to complement his rugged defensive game. The spotlight will be on Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff, but Carels has the ability to really impress quite quickly.” - Michael Moroz

“Carson Carels. If he gets the ice time, which I think he should, given how responsible he is while also being useful with the puck, his stock will rise a ton.” - Jeremi Plourde

“Carson Carels might not have the "best" tournament of any draft eligible, but he will open people's eyes to his reliable brand of hockey thanks to his high-end skating and puck moving.” - Felix Sicard

Adam Novotny

“There are so many top draft eligible prospects playing in this year’s tournament. However, I think that Novotny has a chance to be an offensive leader for the Czechs and help carry them to a medal. He’s been one of the better players in the OHL the last few months and he knows what it takes to perform well at this tournament after playing a support role on last year’s bronze medal winning Czech team. Don’t be surprised if he’s the highest scoring draft eligible player at the WJC’s.” - Brock Otten

What is the Biggest Surprise of the Tournament?

“Germany beats Slovakia in the round robin, sending them to the relegation round.” - Chase Rochon

“The Czechs beat Canada on Boxing Day. Canada usually starts the tournament with an easy matchup, but that’s not the case this year as the Czechs will have valuable contributors at each position. This Canadian team is under a ton of pressure and I think they start the tournament with some adversity.” - Jamison Derksen

“USA misses the semi-finals and finishes 5th. After back-to-back Golds, the USA doesn't look quite as strong this season. Their goaltending is a question mark, and the lack of draft pedigree on their roster compared to previous seasons is noticeable.” - Ben Misfeldt

“Julius Miettinen has been a favorite of mine since his draft year in 2024 and he is the first line center that no one is talking about. I predict he is going to be the engine for Finland's offense this tournament. His large frame, high hockey IQ, and grit will make him an unstoppable force.” - Linc Zdancewicz

“Czechia reaching the semifinals would be a major storyline, especially in a field dominated by traditional powerhouses like Canada, the United States, and Sweden, making it a huge achievement for a smaller hockey nation to push that far. In recent years Czechia has shown it can compete with the elite, earning strong finishes and proving its development system is moving forward, but the question remains whether they can repeat this success in 2026. In the past the team’s biggest weakness was defense, but this year the opposite could be true, as they appear to have their strongest blue-line group on paper in years. Many players also arrive with valuable World Junior and professional experience, providing maturity, structure, and stability throughout the lineup. With improved defensive responsibility, reliable puck movement, and goaltending depth behind them, Czechia has the foundation to stay in games against even the most explosive offenses. If their top forwards produce timely scoring and a solid preliminary round sets up a winnable quarterfinal, Czechia has a genuine chance to break into the top four and shock the field once again.” - Marek Novotny

“Jack Ivankovic- He steals the Canadian starting job and has a great end to the tournament. Proven track record at international tournaments and having an excellent season in Michigan, I see him surprising a lot of people, despite me having Canada at bronze.” - Kyle Pereira

“The biggest surprise for me will be the role that draft eligibles play on the top teams. Whether it be McKenna, Carels, McKenkzie on Canada or Stenberg, Björk on Sweden as well as Novotny on Czechia, I believe they will all have major roles on their team as well as some other who were not mentioned.” - Mika Burns

“I think that Harrison Brunicke is really going to open a lot of people's eyes. It's already well-known that he's one of the few prospects who is coming into this tournament with NHL experience, but he's not exactly a household name yet. I predict that he's really going to cement himself as one of the very best under-20 prospects in the world and get a lot of people excited about his future.” - Derek Neumeier

“Team USA missing the gold medal game after two gold medals in a row. I see that in these age groups Canada and Sweden have taken mental advantage from previous tournaments and overall have better players.” - Arttu Myllymäki

“Team Finland struggles to win and gets eliminated in the quarter-finals. The lack of elite players in their lineup will make matches against the best teams quite difficult. I see them struggling to win even in the preliminary round.” - Jer Tremblay

“Sascha Boumedienne bests Axel Sandin-Pelikka's totals of 10 PTS in 7 GP last tournament (most by a Swedish D this century).” - Kyle Watson

“With the desire of wanting to avoid placing an onus on this, this, or that player for this question, I'll be naming Team Switzerland as the tournament's surprise. The Swiss have very good odds of finishing 3rd in Group A play and this is a team built to give squads like Finland and Czechia real (quarterfinal) problems. It is loaded with players playing pro right now, especially on the blueline. It has 2 drafted go-to goalies having strong club seasons. And up front, there are plenty of tough-to-face grinders with a sprinkling of real skill in players like Reber, Steiner, and Neuenschwander. You can't take a day off against this year's edition but a team or two likely will.” - Chapin Landvogt

“I think Sweden being knocked out by Finland in the quarterfinal will be the biggest surprise. In group A, I see USA finishing 1st and Sweden finishing 2nd and in group B, I see Canada 1st, Czechia 2nd and Finland 3rd, which means a game between Sweden and Finland in quarterfinal. Finland learned that Helenius will not join them so it probably puts them out of contention for a gold or silver medal, but they have a lot of returnees with the gold medal game experience from last year. Finland is historically a well prepared team that follows their gameplan and that makes them hard to beat as a team. They have enough offensive threat to be able to score goals and after that they can defend very well. I think Sweden with a newer group with less experience at this tournament might hit a wall against a good defending team like Finland that also has the best goalie returning from last year with Rimpinen.” - Jeremy Rivet

“In general, the number of draft-eligible skaters is a surprise. Names like Casper Justovaara Karlsson and Carson Carels weren't projected to be in the running for their respective rosters at the beginning of the year. There are 30 draft-eligible skaters expected to take part in the WJC this tournament. The previous three WJCs had 20 or less.” - Kyle Dalla Zanna

“It’s hard to pinpoint just one major surprise, as there are several realistic possibilities. First, I wouldn’t be shocked if Team Latvia wins two games in the preliminary round and gives some of the stronger teams a real scare. I also think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by several 2026 NHL Draft eligible players making an impact—most notably Stenberg, Smits, Suvanto, Carels, and Novotny—and contributing significantly to their teams’ success. However, my biggest prediction is Jack Ivankovic winning the starting role (perhaps not on Day 1 of the preliminary round, but later on) and leading Team Canada all the way to the gold medal game.” - Joey Fortin Boulay

“Team Czechia - I think Czechs have one of the strongest teams and I won’t be surprised if they play for gold. They’ve earned a medal in all of the last three tournaments and now they’re bringing their arguably strongest team in recent history. They’ll miss Jakub Milota in net, but the defense is exceptional, and they also have a strong offensive group. Czech ambitions are reasonably high, especially since they beat Canada in quarterfinals in both 2024 and 2025 tournaments. I think Czechia makes the finals this year.” - Matej Deraj

“I think the Czechia team will be a big surprise at this tournament. They have a very deep squad, and their defensive core may be one of the best on paper. Also, most of their team already plays in North America so they are used to this style of play and should help them transition easily on Minnesota ice.” - Mark Dube

“As a whole, I think Czechia's roster is going to surprise some people with how well they are going to play. They don't have a Gavin McKenna or Cole Eiserman-level star, but they have a deep roster with lots of NHL draft picks and older bodies that can occupy depth roles. It will be a challenge for them to medal in this tournament, especially because they will have to predominantly compete with Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland, but they have the talent to surprise and I'm really excited to see how they play in Minnesota!” - Michael Moroz

“I think the USA's weaker recent classes will really be exposed. I think they will have a very underwhelming tournament, not looking too good up and down the lineup especially compared to Canada.” - Jeremi Plourde

“I would love to say Mads Kongsbakk Klyvo in Denmark, but as he hasn’t played many games this season so I will say Vladimir Dravecký (in terms of individual performances).” - Viktor Ahlund

“The biggest surprise of this year's World Juniors will be Latvia's performance against bracket mainstays like Czechia in the group stage and even Sweden in the playoff. This Latvian team has its most talented forward group in recent memory headlined by Bruno Osmanis. They also have potential top 10 pick Albert Smits who very well could finish as the most impressive 2026 eligible defenseman in the tournament. This group is no stranger to upsets and I think Latvia takes down Czechia and Denmark in pool play and gives my projected Group A 1 seed Sweden a run for their money in the QF.” - Kaeden Ireland

“The biggest surprise of the tournament will be that I do not think the Czechs or Fins will medal this year with the rosters & goaltending. The Czechs have reached the medal round in the last 4 tournaments while the Fins were the silver medalists a year ago even with the return of LA Kings prospect, Petteri Rimpinen who had a stellar tournament last year. The depth & experience that Canada-Sweden-USA possess throughout their lineups I just cannot see any other teams being able to knock them out until they play each other in the semis & final.” - Liam Staples

“Team USA medals in a supposed "down" year for the team. Their squad is still loaded with talent and there is always a sense that USA plays with an energy and grit that makes them greater than the sum of their parts.” - Felix Sicard

“I have a few surprises…I mean this tournament is always jam packed with them, so why limit it to just one! Firstly, I don’t think the U.S. medals on home soil. I’m just not confident in their goaltending being good enough to help them push through a deep field this year. Plus, the pressure of playing at home is very real, especially when you’re gunning for a third straight gold medal. Secondly, I think that Canada has a poor round robin and has to fight through a tougher route to get to the semifinals. Under Dale Hunter, I think that they will peak later in the tournament and still come home with a medal, despite a rough beginning. Thirdly, I see Switzerland as a team that could actually make the semifinals. In a QF matchup versus either Finland or Canada (if I see Czechia taking top spot in Group B and Switzerland finishing third in Group A), they could play the spoiler.” - Brock Otten

2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – GOALTENDING POWER RANKING FOR ALL TEN NATIONS

Liam Crouse — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:48:10 +0000

#1 Canada

Carter George. Photo by Andre Ringuette / Freestyle Photography

Projected Starter: Carter George

Projected Backup: Jack Ivankovic

It’s a rare sight to see Canada have both goalies return from a previous year, let alone arguably the second-best goalie tandem at the tournament in 2025. Carter George, while just being an OHL goalie in a tournament of Liiga and Allsvenskan starters, still is the best goalie coming into the World Juniors without much debate. His elite skillset in skating, positioning, and cerebral aspects of the game comes paired with a level of maturity and refinement rarely ever seen in 19-year-old goalies, let alone junior ones. It easily raises him to on par with the best young pro goalies out there; the only problem is that he is signed to the NHL and is still 19 in the Canadian development system. He projects to have a very strong WJC, and as long as his team doesn’t let him down again this year, it’s a strong possibility he can win the goalie of the tournament. Jack Ivankovic would be one of the best starters at the tournament this year, but having to sit behind Carter George means he rides the bench for yet another year. Though he’s good enough to warrant one game, where he will most definitely have a strong outing.

#2 Finland

Goaltender Petteri Rimpinen of Finland during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Finland and Canada on December 26, 2024 in Ottawa.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN

Projected Starter: Petteri Rimpinen

Projected Backup: Kim Saarinen

The 2025 World Juniors saw one of the most well-built American teams ever in the tournament, face off against Petteri Rimpinen in the gold medal game, the entire backbone of the Finnish team. Naturally, the 2025 best goaltender award-winning Rimpinen looks to defend his throne again this year as Finland’s starter. His athleticism is world-class, and there isn’t really anyone who can touch him at this tournament in that aspect. He’s a high compete goalie who practically stole every win for Finland last year, and despite an extremely well-played finals by the Liiga rookie of the year, the team fell short. While not quite living up to his expectations in his club play this year, following a Liiga top three goalie of the year finalist season as a rookie, it is likely that Rimpinen sees every game in the tournament this year. That’s not to say that Saarinen isn’t a good goalie, though. Saarinen is another fellow Liiga goalie who can play nearly on par with Rimpinen, with an abundant skillset and a much bigger frame at 6-foot-4. However, Rimpinen’s game-stealing ability is unmatched, and Finland will need every bit of it if they want to contend for a medal against Canada, Sweden, and Czechia this year.

#3 Sweden

ESPOO, FINLAND - MAY 2: Sweden's Love Harenstam #35 looks on during Quarterfinal Round action against Finland at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Metro Arena on May 2, 2024 in Espoo, Finland. (Photo by Andr Ringuette/IIHF)

Projected Starter: Love Harenstam

Projected Backup: Herman Liv

All three Swedish netminders for the World Juniors this year are newcomers to the team, with Harenstam and Goos being last year's u18 tandem. However, the undrafted 19-year-old Herman Liv slots in as well and is locked to be at least the backup. Both Harenstam and Liv have had impressive seasons in the Hockey Allsvenskan this year, already making them some of the best goalies and most experienced players at the tournament. Given that Harenstam has been the national team starter for years and has so far seemingly outplayed Liv on one of the worst teams in the league, it appears likely that Harenstam will slot in as the starter for the next two years. Harenstam is an athletic goalie with great mobility, and has greatly improved his cognitive aspects in tracking and play reading, alongside developing a very competitive nature to pair with his athletic prowess. Liv is similar, being well-positioned and boasting solid athletic ability and skating, but may struggle cognitively compared to Harenstam. The gap between the goalies is not great enough for either to have a long leash. Sweden likely will deploy both goaltenders and ride whoever is the hotter one, but it would be hard to make a wrong choice here.

#4 Slovakia

ALLEN, TEXAS - APRIL 28: Slovakia's Michal Pradel #2 tracks the puck in the first period against Latvia during Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Credit Union of Texas Event Center on April 28, 2025 in Allen, Texas, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

Projected Starter: Michal Pradel

Projected Backup: Alan Lendak

On a rare occasion, Slovakia possesses two very solid goalies who stand on relatively equal footing. While Pradel may be the better prospect as the 6-foot-5 hulk of a goalie drafted in the third round compared to the 6-foot-1 undrafted 19-year-old Lendak, he is still no slouch. Lendak would be considered the more volatile of the two goalies as he is a hyperathlete. Without question, Lendak is one of the quickest and most flexible goalies at the tournament, approaching the likes of Rimpinen and Ivankovic. His game against Czechia last year displayed these qualities despite a four-goal loss. However, getting pulled from his other start, allowing three on five shots, shows the volatility here. In contrast, Pradel plays much slower, focusing on excellent economical proper positioning, backed by a fantastic stance to eclipse the net, and very good play reading. However, while improved, Pradel’s athleticism is lacking compared to some other WJC goalies, and he doesn’t possess elite skating either. Both are great goalies, having respectable USHL seasons, where Pradel is one of the top starters in the league. But, it wouldn’t be out of the box to see Lendak stepping in as his elite athletic ability could be the X-factor needed to steal games if he gets hot.

#5 Switzerland

Goaltender Christian Kirsch of Switzerland during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Switzerland and Slovakia on December 27, 2024 in Ottawa.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN

Projected Starter: Christian Kirsch

Projected Backup: Elijah Neuenschwander

It is improbable that there has ever been an era of young Swiss goaltending as good as it is now. Kirsch and Neuenschwander are both returners from last year, and both fourth round draft picks to the NHL. They bear similar skillsets, being large goalies at 6-foot-4, highly athletic, with not a ton of calmness and refinement to their games. At last year’s tournament, it was a rough showing for the Swiss goalies, even when accounting for their team, or lack thereof. But Linards Feldbergs proved that it is possible to play well and even steal a game or two, even on a terrible roster. This year, both goalies have made improvements in their games, as Kirsch has grown into a good starter for Kitchener, leading them to one of the best OHL records. While still not a very good team, the goaltending from Switzerland could very easily lead the squad to several wins, with a likely win coming against Germany, and potentially even some upsets against weaker American and Slovakian teams. These high-risk, high-reward, athletic goalies could either crash and burn alongside the team or rise to the occasion and shock the world.

#6 United States

Projected Starter: Nick Kempf

Projected Backup: Caleb Heil

The United States recently have been tearing up the world juniors and sported three different goalies with the likes of Trey Augustine, Jacob Fowler, and Hampton Slukynsky, all three are blue-chip NHL prospects. Now the task falls to Kempf and Heil, who are not bad goalies by any means; it’s just unfair to compare them to their predecessors. Kempf slots in as the likely number one, being an NCAA starter, with Heil, the USHL goalie, likely backing him up. Both are similar goalies, on the shorter end, being good skaters, and decently refined. Kempf is categorized as the more athletic goalie with a high compete level, whereas Heil is much more centred on efficient skating, depth, and overall quickness. However, both can really struggle with their hands and get picked cleanly pretty easily. Neither goalie has necessarily put together a great full season statistically in junior, but both goalies are still good enough to be at the tournament, with Nick Kempf especially, potentially having the ability to steal games given his motor and athleticism. It will be an uphill battle for the United States to win a medal, let alone gold, and it will all come down to the play of these two in net.

#7 Czechia

Projected Starter: Michal Orsulak

Projected Backup: Matyas Marik

With Jakub Milota out with an injury, the reins should fall to the undrafted 18-year-old Michal Orsulak to steer the Czechian team. While coming up short at last year's draft, Orsulak is by no means a bad goalie or prospect. At 6-foot-4, he is one of the most flexible goalies at the tournament, being able to deploy in a low and wide stance while maintaining a high degree of power and mobility, a rare trait, giving him a significant advantage in tight and down low. He has also seemingly cleaned up his erraticism quite a bit, learning to control his body much better as he has developed into one of the premier starting goalies in the WHL. However, he has his faults, specifically with his hands, as he can get beaten cleanly far too often, making him volatile against the likes of good shooting teams. But given how Marik was initially the third option as Milota was rostered before being ruled out with an injury, subsequently leading to the addition of supposed fourth option Ondrej Stebetak, it’s highly likely that Orsulak will see most, if not all, of the games. Czechia boasts a very strong roster this year, and Orsulak should be good enough to win them a medal as long as his hands don’t become too much of a problem

#8 Germany

Projected Starter: Linus Vieillard

Projected Backup: Lukas Stuhrmann

One of the more under-the-radar goalies from last year's tournament was Linus Vieillard, the then 18-year-old undrafted goalie out of the German U20. He sported a .915 save percentage in 3 games and had an unequivocally excellent performance against Finland. He’s a small goalie who plays very narrowly, but he possesses good skating, quickness, and a very quiet playstyle with athletic abilities that shouldn’t be scoffed at. He isn’t a dominant goalie in any one area, but he also doesn’t possess too many major weaknesses outside of his smaller stature and narrow-framed stance, which has made him susceptible to mid-to-high shots to the outside hands. Behind him is Lukas Stuhrmann, who by no means should be a write-off on the scouting report, should he get into games. He is similar to Vieillard in nearly every aspect, being short, a good skater, quick, pretty quiet, and having solid athleticism. Nothing jumps out at you watching Stuhrmann, but he's shown he can be very capable at a junior level without too many weaknesses, besides, again, the undersized and very narrow gloves issue. Both goalies are good enough that Germany should stave off relegation for yet another year.

#9 Latvia

Projected Starter: Nils Roberts Maurins

Projected Backup: Mikus Vecvanags

Last year’s Latvian team was highlighted by the legendary performance of Linards Feldbergs, who stole a game from Canada. Unfortunately for Latvia this year, their goalies don’t seem to be able to fill in the large shoes Feldbergs left. The starting role is really up in the air this year, and it could realistically be any of the three goalies. Mikus Vecvanags is an NHL draft pick; however, he has been struggling mightily in the North American junior scene, not having played a game in the QMJHL since November 21st, with no report of an injury. Vecvanags has a solid frame and stance at 6’3 and is a decent skater on his feet and an athlete. However, his rebound control is erratic, and he’s had issues with angling, tracking, and compete. Nils Roberts Maurins, from the USHL, is probably the fastest and best skater, who has a great frame, but lacks control and is inconsistent in the butterfly. Ivans Kufterins, the WHL goalie, is probably the better athlete of the three and definitely plays with intensity and speed, but has less control over his body, making his movements and decision-making erratic. We very well could see all three goalies make appearances, with the true starter being picked at the end of the tournament. Their expectations are to just survive.

#10 Denmark

Projected Starter: Anton Emil Wilde Larsen

Projected Backup: Patrick Tiedjen

The starting goalie for Denmark realistically could go to nearly anyone, but Anton Emil Wilde Larsen has appeared in more international games this year and was the U18 D1A starter last year, as well as several games in the top Danish league, making him the probable starter. The 17-year-old goalie Larsen, like his other two counterparts, has been playing in the second-tier professional league, which houses no tracked goalie data on elite prospects. However, it has been found that Larsen has played in 19 games across both leagues and has amassed just one win. The very first game of the season. Hopes, understandably, are not skyrocketing high for this Danish squad, but a draft-year starting goalie is always of intrigue. Despite the obvious lack of results from Larsen's club season (including a game with 13 goals against), he doesn’t seem to be an irredeemable goalie. He has a good frame, has a solid understanding of positioning and tracking, and appears to be a solid skater and athlete as well. It’s not off the table that we see all three Danish goals make an appearance this year, but if Larsen can display even a little talent facing 50+ shots a night, a North American junior team might come calling.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #24

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 11:59:33 +0000

PARADISE, NV - JUNE 28: Liam Greentree is drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round during the Upper Deck NHL Draft on June 28, 2024 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 24th (May 2025 - 25th)
GM: Rob Blake Hired: April 2017
COACH: Jim Hiller Hired: February 2024

The Los Angeles Kings’ prospect depth has taken a hit in recent installments, dropping 10 spots over the last two seasons. That’s the natural cost of seeing nearly all of your top-ranked prospects graduate in quick succession. Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke, Jordan Spence, Alex Turcotte, Samuel Helenius, and Akil Thomas have all taken steps forward at the NHL level, ushering in a new wave of youth for the big club.

Leading what remains of the pipeline is Liam Greentree, a late 2024 first-round pick who vaulted from 86th in our rankings. His 119-point campaign with the Windsor Spitfires made him one of the OHL’s top performers, pairing size with an elite scoring touch.

Beyond Greentree, the brightest spots lie in goal. Erik Portillo is already an established AHL starter, while Carter George and Hampton Slukynsky bring significant promise. George’s numbers dipped this season on a weak Owen Sound team, but he remains a top goaltending prospect and has already transitioned to the Ontario Reign. Slukynsky, meanwhile, enjoyed a storybook year—earning an NCAA Championship with Western Michigan, All-Tournament and All-Rookie honours, and a World Junior gold medal.

The Kings added nine more names at the 2025 draft, headlined by Henry Brzustewicz, taken 31st overall. He joins second-round pick Vojtech Cihar (second round, 59th overall) and third-rounder Kristian Epperson (third round, 88th overall) in rounding out the team’s top 15 prospects.

The silver lining for L.A. is that they’ve avoided mortgaging their future for short-term gains. While they lack a second-round pick in 2026, they still hold seven selections in the upcoming draft and remain in the enviable position of icing a strong playoff contender while continuing to add young talent.

For now, the Kings find themselves outside the “mushy middle” of prospect rankings—not a deep system, but one with enough quality in key spots, especially in goal, to keep the future intriguing.

Los Angeles Kings Top-15 Prospects

1 - Liam Greentree

This past season couldn’t have gone a whole lot better for Greentree, the 26th overall selection last year. He emerged as one of the top offensive players in the OHL, which in turn helped the Windsor Spitfires capture a division title. Greentree is such an intelligent offensive player. He understands how to best utilize his skill set on the puck and off of it. He’s calculated in his approach and difficult to separate from the puck thanks to his skill and frame. His pace of play really improved this year too, thanks to a stronger and more explosive stride. He still has work to do in terms of speed and explosiveness to be a top scorer at the professional levels, but his progress has been encouraging. Another year in the OHL next year would do wonders for Greentree as he continues to improve his skating and two-way game on a strong Windsor team. Additionally, he should be an offensive leader for the Canadian WJC team. This looks like a very strong pick by the Kings as Greentree has the sense and skill to be a high scoring winger for them in the near future.

2 - Carter George

On talent alone, Carter George stands as one of the NHL’s best goalie prospects. As an 18-year-old, he is already very refined technically and is far ahead of his peers and even many of his seniors in that aspect. His positioning, footwork, anticipation, and intelligence are all elite whilst being calm and composed. His only downside is that athletically, he is closer to average, but it is still very sufficient for the NHL level. With how he plays, he won’t need to play athletically, but he’s still proven he can pull the rabbit out of the hat when needed. George plays a lot like Henrik Lundqvist in the way he positions himself to read and react to play. Everything he does is fluid, methodical, precise, and done with intensity. He just finished his second year as a two-time arguable best OHL goaltender and even dipped his toe in the AHL and showed out. Continuing down this path, it should come to no one's surprise that he ends up as an elite NHL goalie.

3 - Henry Brzustewicz

The Kings’ first-round selection in 2025, Brzustewicz is a bit of a blank canvas waiting to be modeled. The “tools” are all present. He skates well. He has good size. He can make creative plays with the puck in the name of creating offence, especially inside the offensive zone, a trait that makes him a potential power play quarterback. The same could be said of a quality point shot. Defensively, he is physically engaged and shows a willingness to take away time and space, consistently winning those 50/50 battles for the puck or positioning. However, what’s not present is the consistent execution of all of these tools. Brzustewicz is raw in this regard; his lower IQ grades are what prevented him from being drafted higher. He’ll return to London this year and should take on a very large role for the Knights. Under the tutelage of the Hunters, expect Brzustewicz to improve his decision making, execution, and consistency.

4 - Hampton Slukynsky

Slukynsky, much like his fellow prospect George, is a very controlled, highly efficient goalie. While he may not possess high-end speed or athleticism, his positioning and skating are so good that it doesn’t matter. He also boasts some elite tracking, allowing him to make a variety of glove saves and use it to consistently keep up with play. His real strength comes from how calm he is. Nothing breaks Slukynsky; everything is very purposeful, and precision is of the utmost importance. Again, much like George, Slukynsky doesn’t possess any detrimental weaknesses. At worst, sometimes he can be down a little early on a tight play, but he remains very calm and in control. All of this has helped him continue a strong development curve of being the best USHL goalie and then being elite in the NCAA, where he led Western Michigan to its first national championship. While Slukynsky will have strong competition if he stays in LA, the Kings could be seen with two starting level goalies on their hands.

5 - Koehn Ziemmer

A nasty ankle tear in November 2023 threw a wrench into Ziemmer's ongoing development but coming back to Prince George for his overage year helped him get things back on track, as he once again got to play a Top six forward role on one of the league's better teams. And funnily enough, because skating was never his strong suit before he didn't have to make any major stylistic adjustments upon returning. His game is built around his control of the puck: protecting it with his strength and wide balance until he can whip a hard and accurate shot or pass. He has a real dog-on-a-bone mentality when he's battling for puck possession down low in the offensive zone. Even though Ziemmer needs to stay pigeonholed in his style in order to be effective, he's still a good specialist and there are jobs in the NHL for guys who play like he does.

6 - Erik Portillo

Portillo’s staple is being a very calm and positional goalie. He shows great positional awareness and good play reading to predict passes and player movements. However, in his exceeding calmness, he seems to lack a competitive edge. He generally doesn’t move with much intensity and in this past year, seemed to almost not be fully engaged with his games. Despite being a good skater, the lack of intensity can cause him to be a bit behind on plays, and he struggles to make big saves on cross-ice passes. He also tends to make some questionable decisions in his save selection, opening up when sliding or just completely misreading the situation because he wasn’t able to track the puck. He took a major step back this past season in Ontario after being very impressive the year prior, which calls into question his future with the organization. His skill set could be translated to an NHL role if honed properly, but severely lacking intensity can be a serious concern, especially how he could get buried behind other goalie talent in LA.

7 - Ryan Conmy

Conmy excelled in his freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of New Hampshire—scoring 31 points in 34 games (2023–24) and improving to 33 points in 34 games (2024–25). Conmy is an intelligent, fast, hardworking winger with solid shot placement, offensive instincts, and tenacity on the puck. He finds open ice, generates offence, and plays bigger than his 5-foot-10 frame. This is why he played in all situations at New Hampshire. Now at Boston College, following a transfer for his junior season, Conmy will benefit from higher level teammates. With his blend of speed, shot accuracy, and two-way capability, he projects as a bottom-middle six NHL winger with upside on special teams. Continued offensive growth and reliable defensive play will be key to unlocking his pro potential. His play at BC this year will indicate whether he is ready to sign his ELC and turn pro, or whether a senior year would be beneficial.

8 - Jared Woolley

Is Woolley a serious breakout candidate this year with the London Knights? His game really took off in the second half of the season and into the playoffs, as he emerged as a two-way force in the OHL. He’s going to get more ice time and responsibility this coming season and that could translate to a serious increase in offensive production. There’s a very real possibility that Woolley pairs with new Kings’ prospect Henry Brzustewicz on the top pair of London. For Woolley it’s all about continuing to refine his skill set. Continue to improve his mobility and linear quickness as a skater. Continue to improve his decision making with the puck and ability to start the breakout. Continue to improve his composure and reads in the defensive end. The 6-foot-5 defender has the upside to be an impactful NHL player in some capacity, and this season should give us a better indication of what his true ceiling is as a two-way player.

9 - Francesco Pinelli

Pinelli was a prolific scorer in junior, but he hasn’t quite found his game at the next level yet. This year, his offensive output only slightly improved in his second full season with the Reign. Francesco loves to shoot, and that’s evidently his best trait, closely followed by his creativity with the puck. He’s created many chances this season (and potted numerous assists) by getting to the netfront and ripping shots off loose pucks and rebounds. His stickhandling is deceptive and hard to read, and combined with his above-average speed, it makes him a big threat in space. When Francesco gets into one-on-one situations with goalies, it’s tough to stop him, as he has a deep bag of tricks and finishing moves. Pinelli averaged around 15 minutes per game this season, a number the Kings are likely hoping will increase as he works into a full-time top six role. LA has struggled to turn its once-great prospect pool into an NHL roster, and Pinelli may be another casualty of their development shortcomings.

10 - Kristian Epperson

The 2023-24 season was not a good one for Epperson. He ended up getting demoted from the NTDP’s U18 team and subsequently was not drafted in 2024. The 2024-25 season was the exact opposite. The move to Saginaw of the OHL proved to be an excellent move for his development as he gained instant chemistry with star forward Michael Misa and after a terrific year, the Kings selected Epperson in his second go-around at the draft. Epperson brings consistent energy on and off the puck and he is skilled enough to both finish off plays and create them; he’s the ideal complementary piece on a scoring line. There’s a need for his quickness and strength on the puck to improve further and that’s why the move to the University of Denver next year is an intelligent one for him. Expect him to spend a few years in the NCAA before turning pro. If all goes well, the Kings will have a potential middle six piece on their hands.

11 - Petteri Rimpinen

At 6-foot-0, Rimpinen has to compensate for his lack of stature with quicker reaction time and agility. He made the jump to Liiga last season, posting respectable numbers into the playoffs. Now, he’ll look to take another step this season in Liiga for Kiekko-Espoo.

12 - Caeden Herrington

Herrington has the kind of tools that get scouts excited, standing 6-foot- 2 as a right shot defenceman who isn’t afraid to get physical. He put up 16 goals in the USHL last season thanks to his penchant for joining the rush and getting shots off. He’ll join the collegiate ranks this season at the University of Vermont, where he’ll need to smooth out his overall game and skating to become pro-ready.

13 - Vojtech Cihar

Cihar was a top sixty pick for LA, and it’s not hard to see why. He competes for pucks but matches that with an exciting set of hands and a nose for scoring chances. Slightly on the smaller end, he’ll need to continue to build up his physical tools to let the skill shine through at the pro North American level. He’s slated to spend another season playing in the pro Czech ranks.

14 - Jimmy Lombardi

Add Lombardi’s name to the list of CHL prospects making the jump to the NCAA this season, as he’s slated to suit up for the University of Michigan after spending two years in the OHL. Lombardi never quite established himself offensively for Flint, but his skill level was obvious with a smooth set of hands. The NCAA will allow him to develop physically and add the missing two-way elements to his game.

15 - Jakub Dvorak

Dvorak is a towering, rangy defenceman who made the jump from Czechia to the AHL last season. With his combination of size, mobility, and a clean first pass, there is bottom pair NHL potential. As a second-round pick, the Kings are probably hoping for a bit more than that, and he’ll look to take another step forward in the AHL this season.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #25 LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Wed, 21 May 2025 19:47:45 +0000

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Los Angeles 25 Prospects

2025 W0RLD JUNIORS: Eight NHL-affiliated prospect that have impressed in the preliminary rounds

Jérémy Rivet — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 13:50:26 +0000

241231 Axel Sandin-Pellikka of Sweden during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Sweden and Czech Republic on December 31, 2024 in Ottawa.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN / kod MB / MB1038

The preliminary round of the 2025 World Juniors has now ended in Ottawa and now it is time for the quarter finals matchups on January 2nd. We have seen some excellent hockey so far and hopefully, it will continue in the next rounds.

After I identified eight draft eligible prospects that stood out for me in my last article, I will now present to you eight already drafted players that attracted my attention in the preliminary round. Some of them were players, are highly ranked prospects, and some that I didn't really know well before the tournament but they impressed me by their style of play and the impact they had on their team.

#4 Axel Sandin Pellikka, D - Sweden (Detroit)

He is one of the two top candidates for Best Defenseman of the tournament award with his eight points (4 goals - 4 assists) in four games which puts him tied as the scoring leader of the event after the preliminary round. Throughout those first four games, the 17th overall pick in 2023 by the Detroit Red Wing showcased how good he is at creating offence with his intelligence with the puck and his elite mobility. He started the tournament with an exceptional game against Slovakia where he delivered a hat trick and added an assist to help Sweden win that game 5-2.

#24 Cole Hutson, D - United States (Washington)

The best defenseman for the United States after the first four games, Hutson is the main rival to Sandin-Pellikka for the Best Defenseman award. He came up with two big goals against Finland and Canada and he was constantly dangerous with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. His two goals along with six assists (five of them in a 10-4 win against Germany) puts him tied for first in scoring with Sandin-Pellikka. His ability to create offense by activating from the blue line and finding passing lanes from nothing is elite and it is pretty similar to his brother Lane from the Montreal Canadiens.

#21 Jakub Stancl, F - Czechia (St.Louis)

Stancl has been excellent for Czechia after four games. He had a five-point game against Kazakhstan with three goals and two assists which contributed being tied for third place in tournament scoring with seven points. The aspect of his game I appreciated the most was how efficient he was on the forecheck. With a 6-foot-3 frame, he really makes his presence felt when he is on the ice but not in a punishing way. He uses his body very well along the boards to win puck battles as well as to create space for himself and his linemates. He has a net presence and he can beat goalies with his strong shot.

#15 Dalibor Dvorsky, F - Slovakia (St.Louis)

It is already Dvorsky’s fourth presence at the World Junior and his offensive production is consistently rising even if the quality of the Slovakian roster has been better in the past years. He has sevn points in four games (4 goals - 3 assists) so far and he has been the most utilitzed forward in the preliminary round. He has been a threat on the powerplay for Slovakia and he was efficient at both ends of the ice. Dvorsky is always trying to find a way to go to the net and his vision for finding his teammates is excellent.

#22 Vojtech Hradec, F - Czechia (Utah)

Hradec was a late draft pick by Utah in 2024 (6th round) and with the performance he is having so far at the World Juniors, it is looking like a very nice pick up for them. He is presently tied third in scoring with seven points (4 goals - 3 assists) and he plays on the best arguably the best line for Czechia with Jakub Stancl. He is another big body for Czechia who plays hard on the forecheck and on pucks. Around the net, he is very hard to move and he is excellent at taking rebounds or tap-ins close to the net. Defensively, he can kill plays by pinning opponents to the wall and by denying space with his long reach.

#9 Eriks Mateiko, F - Latvia (Washington)

It is a Cinderella story this year for Latvia as they shocked the hockey world by beating Canada and they will now meet Sweden in the quarter-final. Mateiko, a third round pick by the Washington Capitals in 2024, is no stranger to that success. The big 6-foot-6 power forward is without a doubt the best player on this Latvian team and he does everything well on both ends of the ice. He scored the shootout winner against Canada with an excellent shot and he fired two goals including the game winner in overtime against Germany in a game that officially qualified Latvia to the next round. He was dangerous in the offensive zone even with the limited time that Latvia had there during those four games and he was engaged defensively with block shots and good positioning.

#30 Carter George, G - Canada (Los Angeles)

Perhaps the only reassuring point for Team Canada is that they have probably the best goaltender of the tournament despite the lack of scoring. George played three out of the four games for Canada and delivered two wins with a shutout against Finland and Germany. He is the leader in the tournament with a 0.964 save percentage and a 1.01 goals against average. The thing that strikes me the most about his game is how calm he is in his crease. It is a trait that his teammates recognize and it is a reassuring presence for them. His game management, his puck tracking and his rebound control are very high level.

#3 Vojtech Port, D - Czechia (Anaheim)

Vojtech Port is not a player who has produced the most on this list, even if four assists in four games is very good, but I did not know him before the tournament and I really like the way he has played so far for Czechia. He is a 6-foot-2 right handed defenseman who has excellent mobility and he can support the attacks by activating from the blue line or by jumping in the rush. He was efficient with his passes to feed the transition and he was solid defensively. His mobility and speed serves him well when he needs to escape pressure. He was another late draft pick from Czechia and he might end up being a solid pick for Anaheim who already has a number of good young defensemen in the prospect pool.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Finland’s OT heroics blow Group A wide open – Carter George remains perfect

Kyle Watson — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 15:46:30 +0000

OTTAWA - Tuomas Uronen did Team Canada a huge favour.

The Finnish forward's overtime winner, which carried his nation to victory over the United States, meant that Canada had only to win in regulation against Germany to tie the Americans for the top spot in Group A.

In a game of thin margins, the Vegas Golden Knights prospect's snapshot 1:46 into the extra frame slipped out of American goaltender Trey Augustine's glove and fell into the net behind him. The play ensued after a sequence of impressive saves at the other end from Finnish netminder Petteri Rimpinen:

THE HUGE SAVE ON ONE END, AND THE GAME WINNER ON THE OTHER!

FINLAND WINS 4-3 IN OVERTIME #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/LIzmgHuFEN

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2024

The loss snapped a 10-game win streak for the Americans that spanned the last three tournaments.

Improving to a 1-1-0-1 record, Team Finland (5) is just two points behind the North American nations (7) in the standings.

Should Canada or the USA win in regulation on New Year's Eve, the Finns can take sole possession of second place with a victory over Latvia. Group A has effectively been blown wide open, with each team losing a game thus far.

Finns show fire, flash in overtime win over USA

After a pair of flat performances against Canada and Germany, the Finns showed up and showed out yesterday, outshooting Team USA by a margin of 44-33. They matched the Americans' pace, with each team enjoying extended periods of puck possession.

In a back-and-forth contest, both goaltenders were called upon heavily. Finland held a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame and peppered Augustine with 15 shots in the third. The Michigan State netminder held off the Finnish attack and Brodie Ziemer's tally 3:26 into the third period was enough to send the game to overtime.

Rimpinen, in particular, was excellent. The undrafted 2006-born netminder, who plays for Kiekko-Espoo in Liiga, earned himself the nickname "Mr. Showtime" from his teammates.

It was easily the most entertaining game of the tournament so far, setting up a much less enthralling matchup between Canada and Germany.

Carter George remains perfect, questions still surround Canada after uninspiring victory

Stopping 56/56 shots through two starts, Carter George has yet to put a foot wrong for Canada. The Thunder Bay, Ont. native has provided an uber-steady presence between the pipes.

"It's the best feeling in the world knowing that you've got probably the best goalie in this tournament, hands down," said Team Canada defenceman Oliver Bonk. "When you do mess up, he's got your back."

George becomes the first Canadian goaltender to post back-to-back shutouts since Devon Levi in 2021.

Back-to-back shutouts for @AttackOHL's Carter George! @LAKings prospect is perfect through two games at the #WorldJuniors as Canada blanks Germany 3-0 pic.twitter.com/1JEmvpp686

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 30, 2024

In George and Jack Ivankovic, the team has two rock-steady goaltenders — a luxury that every Canadian WJC coach dreams of — but it's not encouraging that they have been Team Canada's best players in games against Latvia and Germany.

As referenced in the broadcast, it took Canada two hours to score at five-on-five in two matchups that are usually games where forwards pad their stats. They lead all teams with 134 shots on net, but how many have been true high-danger chances?

Head coach Dave Cameron is confident the dam will burst soon.

“It was a solid performance, outside of the fact that we are a little snake-bitten on the offensive side of things," said Cameron after the match. "but it is not for a lack of effort or lack of quality play."

"We have been up against some really good goaltending so far, but we know we will break through," he added.

Despite earning an opportunity to top the group with a win against the USA, the tension surrounding Team Canada remains palpable. Perhaps lost in all the criticism: Canada has yet to concede at even strength and has the fewest goals against (three) in the tournament.

The real test starts on New Year's Eve. From here on out, there are no more "easy games."

Willander shines in barnburner between Sweden and Switzerland

In contrast to Group A, Czechia and Sweden lead Group B handily by six points, each with a perfect 3-0-0-0 record thus far.

The Swedes bested Switzerland by a score of 7-5, led by another strong showing from an offensively gifted defenceman. Tom Willander scored two mirror-image powerplay goals and Sweden took a 6-1 lead into the third period.

Tom Willander's seeing eye shot opens the scoring for Sweden!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/yIsovgfTQu

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2024

Tom Willander strikes again with a goal almost identical to his first-period tally, extending Sweden's lead to 5-1!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/oG6Df1oghq

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2024

They nearly imploded, letting the Swiss score four times on the man advantage in the final frame, holding on for the win. Head coach Magnus Havelid will certainly hammer down on a few areas of improvement for his players, but scoring is not one of them.

Are Czechia the real deal?

The Czechs were not expected to defend their bronze medal, with key figures such as captains Jiri Kulich, Tomas Hamara, and Matyas Sapovaliv aging out of eligibility. They lead the tournament in goals (23) and goal differential (+18) through three games, with Utah prospect Vojtech Hradec topping the scoring charts with four goals and seven points.

In our tournament preview, Assistant Director of Scouting, Derek Neumeier, identified Czech netminder Michael Hrabal (also a Utah pick) as a potential difference-maker.

"He's one of the best netminders in the tournament, capable of stealing games for them when he's on top of his game," said Neumeier.

Currently riding a .934 save percentage and 1.50 GAA, Hrabal hasn't been challenged much in his two starts. Against Team Sweden, the 19-year-old and Team Czechia have a chance to prove they aren't just here to feast on the weaker competition.

Parting Notes

The last time Finland defeated the U.S. was in the 2020 quarterfinals: recently acquired Nashville Predators netminder Justus Annunen posted a 30-save shutout in the 1-0 triumph
Team Canada forward Calum Ritchie (Oshawa, OHL) has a 100% goals-for percentage through three games: he's been on the ice for six of the team's nine goals
Recording a goal and two assists in the win, Team Sweden captain Axel Sandin-Pelikka (Skellefteå, SHL) sits second in tournament scoring (3GP, 4G, 7 PTS, +6)
Felix Unger Sörum (Chicago, AHL) had three assists for the Swedes
Forwards Leo Braillard (Lethbridge, WHL) and Kimo Gruber (GCK Lions, Swiss-2) each scored twice for Team Switzerland
Swiss defenceman Leon Muggli picked up three helpers in the loss

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: McKeen’s Medal and Player Predictions

McKeen's Staff — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 22:00:17 +0000

The 2025 World Junior Championships are set to kick off on Boxing Day (December 26), with Ottawa, Ontario hosting. Can Canada get back on the podium on home soil? Can the United States repeat? Members of the McKeen’s team have come together to bring you our predictions for the tournament.

Final Medal Standings Predictions

GOLD

USA - 9 votes
Canada - 8 votes

SILVER

USA - 6 votes
Canada - 6 votes
Sweden - 5 votes

BRONZE

Sweden - 8 votes
Czechia - 4 votes
Canada - 3 votes
USA - 1 vote
Finland - 1 vote

Who Wins Tournament MVP?

Ryan Leonard - 5 votes
Cal Ritchie - 2 votes
Gavin McKenna - 2 votes
Berkly Catton - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Zeev Buium, Easton Cowan, James Hagens, Gabe Perreault, Bradly Nadeau, and Axel Sandin Pellikka

Who Wins Best Forward?

Ryan Leonard - 5 votes
Gavin McKenna - 3 votes
Gabe Perreault - 3 votes
Cal Ritchie - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Dalibor Dvorsky, Berkly Catton, Otto Stenberg, and Easton Cowan

Who Wins Best Defender?

Zeev Buium - 8 votes
Axel Sandin Pellikka - 7 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Sam Dickinson and Tanner Molendyk

Who Wins Best Goaltender?

Trey Augustine - 14 votes
Carter George - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Michael Hrabal

Which 2025 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Has the Best Tournament?

Matthew Schaefer

“It's a close call between Schaefer and teammate Porter Martone, but I gotta go with my gut. Schaefer is the type of player who lives for big games like this. He'll provide solid defence, stellar and efficient transition play, and highlight-reel offence. He can do everything, and I could see him playing himself into more and more responsibility as the tournament goes on - even with the depth that Canada has on the back end. He'll prove to the world why he's a future 1D in the NHL.” (Felix Robbins)

“I think Matthew Schaefer will have the best tournament out of all the 2025 NHL draft-eligible players. Canada has a good defense corps, but they left off some great offensive players like Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk, so there's definitely room for Schaefer to see significant minutes at both ends of the ice. With the increased opportunity, Schaefer's tremendous skating ability, and Canada's offensive skill in the tournament, Schaefer really has a chance to thrive.” (Michael Moroz)

“He has met every challenge he's faced and even managed to exceed the very high expectations placed upon him. He's captained multiple gold medal-winning editions of Team Canada at previous age groups and stood out as one of the best players at every tournament or showcase game he's played in. Why would that stop at the World Juniors? Canada will rely on other D more but Schaefer will have a Dahlin 2018-esque tournament.” (Kyle Watson)

“The Canadian points record for a U18 defender at this tournament is 7 by Ryan Ellis. I think Schaefer can threaten that record. He was Canada’s best defender through the exhibition schedule and I think he ends up being the kind of player who rarely leaves the ice by the end of the tournament. Could this be Schaefer’s only WJC tournament for Canada? It seems like he’s the kind of player who rises to tackle any challenge and that could make him an NHL defender as early as next year.” (Brock Otten)

“Matthew Schaefer, even at only 17 years old, plays like a veteran and he is solid defensively with his mobility, in addition to creating offensively. He is the defenseman playing on the first powerplay unit for Canada and could have some ice time on the penalty kill. I was very impressed by his mature game in the first pre-tournament game against Switzerland where he looked like the number one defenseman for Canada that can do it all.” (Jeremy Rivet)

“I truly believe that if Schaefer is going to cement himself as the #1 pick in the draft, it could be here in this tournament. Whether it is U18s or the Hlinka-Gretzky, Schaefer performs and thrives on the big stage. I fully expect Schaefer to quarterback the Canada power play and earn more crucial minutes as the tournament goes on.” (Liam Staples)

“This a close one between Schaefer, Hagens, and Martone. Both Hagens and Martone will have a huge opportunity to repeat their U18 performances from April and claim this honour. However, I think Schaefer impacts his draft stock the most by becoming Canada’s all situations #1D by the end of the tournament and establishes himself as the draft’s #1 player.” (Ben Misfeldt)

“Despite his age, he'll be one of the best players on the Canadian roster and be a huge reason why they're successful. He'll also use the tournament to cement his new status as the frontrunner to go 1st overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.” (Derek Neumeier)

“Schaefer, I think he has a chance to grab a stranglehold on the #1 spot. Without Parekh on the roster in front of him, Schaefer might be able to push past Molendyk and Bonk onto the top PP unit and rack up some points.” (Jamison Derksen)

James Hagens

“James Hagens is in a great spot to succeed, he should play on the first line along with his Boston College linemates Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard. Hagens had been the front-runner for the #1 overall pick for a long time but he seems to be losing the spot to Matthew Schaefer and others. This is a great opportunity for Hagens to prove himself; do not put him out of the debate yet.” (Matej Deraj)

“He’ll be playing alongside Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault on a world stage, with Zeev Buium supporting from the back end, and other NCAA stars joining him on the PP. With an even stronger lineup, Hagens is slated to repeat his historical run at the U18s and catch lightning in a bottle once again.” (Sean Boyd)

“Playing on the big stage and wearing USA colors on a team filled with past and present teammates might just be enough to take Hagens' solid start to the next level. A line with Leonard and Perrault could be the perfect combo to put up record-breaking numbers at the WJC.” (Henry Lawrence)

Porter Martone

“Best position to succeed. His play style is pro and physical.” (Josh Klicka)

Victor Eklund

“For the average well-informed fan, the go-to answer should and would likely be US center James Hagens or perhaps Canadian winger Porter Martone. Due to Group B play and Sweden's probable role therein, I'm answering this question with the name Victor Eklund. Why? Because for anyone who has seen him in the HockeyAllsvenskan the past two years, you'll know we're talking about a winger who has no qualms or hesitation in being an active producer and skilled passer with and against men in a league that features a number of former NHLers and AHLers. His pro team Djurgarden is filled with prominent names in/on the Swedish and international scene, and he's right there contributing in a top 6 role. We love his involvement and sneaky intelligence with simply no back-down in situation where his performance belies his age. Time to go above and beyond against his peers, even if he's a good year younger than most in Ottawa this holiday season. He can do so here without having to be the star, but I'm thinking he will be.” (Chapin Landvogt)

What is the Biggest Surprise of the Tournament?

“I’ll give you two in a tournament that I don’t think has a ton of surprises. The first is that Kazakhstan gives Switzerland a close call in the round-robin and then makes a team sweat in the relegation round. Normally the promoted team from Division A doesn’t have many returning players, but this Kazakhstan team is bringing back a lot of the pieces that helped them earn promotion. It’s not the Nik Antropov era, but it’s still a chance to repeat in the main group. The second is that Sweden falls to Czechia in the round-robin and then loses in the quarterfinals to one of Canada, Finland, or the United States after the crossover. I’m just not sure this Swedish team creates enough offense through the middle of the ice to be a medal contender.” (Brock Otten)

“I guess they can no longer be called a surprise by any stretch of the imagination in light of their overall success in the past 5 WJCs, but expect the Czechs to not only finish top 2 in Group B play but then march right on to a bronze medal on the final day of the tournament. The program has not only caught itself from the developmental fallout of yesteryear (if we can call it that) but features up to 14(!) participants who are currently playing in North America, a clear advantage over just about all other European participants. *From a player standpoint, it shouldn't surprise anyone if 17-year-old David Lewandowski of Team Germany is a player we'll all be talking about and following a lot more after this tournament.” (Chapin Landvogt)

“Slovakia - this 05 group ended up 4th at the U18s two years ago and all the key players will be here. The obvious leader is Dalibor Dvorský, one of the best players of the tournament and an All-Star Team candidate. Dvorský has been great in the AHL and he’ll be ready to put Team Slovakia on his back. The returnees in defense (Maxim Štrbák, Luka Radivojevič) and offense (Juraj Pekarčík) should be able to help as well. Slovakia is also bringing some exciting talent in Tomáš Pobežal and Ján Chovan who should bring some secondary scoring. If this Slovak team is able to find a solid #1 goalie, they are able to make it to the semifinals again.” (Matej Deraj)

“Zeev Buium ties or breaks the record for most points scored by a defenceman in WJC history. Last year, Buium was the lone draft-eligible defenceman on a very offensively inclined blueline (blocked by guys like Lane Hutson and Seamus Casey) and STILL mustered 5 points in 7 games - all at even strength. This year, he's the guy - 1D, PP1 QB, all of it. With the increased role and ice-time, I think it'll be very hard to keep a talent like Buium off the score sheet 14 times.” (Felix Robbins)

“The biggest surprise will be just how big the gap is between Canada and the United States compared to all the other teams. The likes of Sweden, Finland and Czechia won't be true contenders, and there will be no feel-good Cinderella or underdog stories. Early on in the tournament, it will be obvious that it is a two-horse race this year, with those top nations cruising through the round-robin and early elimination games, while everyone else dukes it out to win bronze.” (Derek Neumeier)

“I'm curious to see what kind of performance Sweden will have in this tournament. They have 2 early first-round prospects on the backend, Willinder and Sandin-Pellikka. Can they push Sweden to the medal round? I do not think so. Sweden has the skill, but in my opinion, countries like Czechia and Finland have caught up to them talent-wise in this tournament. I think this will be another year where Sweden fails to win a medal and we see Czechia competing for a medal.” (Liam Staples)

“I think it will be that the USA will lose in the semi-final despite the quality of their roster, the fact that they won last year and that they have about 10 veterans from last year. I think because they are missing grit and leader players like they had last year with McGroarty, Snuggerud and Gauthier they will be missing an element that will make them fall short.” (Jeremy Rivet)

“Victor Eklund. He’s been the significant driving force for one of the best teams in the HockeyAllsvenskan. He’s one of few players at the World Juniors who has the experience of carrying a team to hard-earned wins at the professional level. He and Sandin-Pellikka should put on a show this year for Sweden.” (Sean Boyd)

“I’m gonna say that Tanner Howe scores at least two game-winners for Canada. I know he’ll be a depth forward on this team but it seems like every year there’s a 3rd or 4th liner that steps up when one of the top teams needs it most, and I feel like Howe can certainly be a catalyst for that with Canada.” (Jamison Derksen)

“Finland fails to medal again - they have been the talk of the tournament in years gone by, defying expectations and causing major upsets. This group, while led by talented names in Helenius, Halttunen, and Kumpalainen - doesn't have the depth or the grit to shock anyone this time around.” (Kyle Watson)

“Led by Dalibor Dvorsky, Slovakia makes the semifinals. He might just be the best player in the tournament and is playing very well in the AHL. Outside of him, Slovakia always plays hard and with good goaltending, they can come close to medaling at this year’s WJC.” (Ben Misfeldt)

“Finland. This appears to be one of the strongest rosters from Finland in the past few years. Haltunen, Helenius, Kiviharju might just give Finland enough offensive firepower to pull off an upset or two.” (Henry Lawrence)

“Gavin McKenna dominates and finishes the tournament leading the Canadian team in points, which struggled to score goals due to a lack of high-end veteran talent offensively.” (Jeremy Tremblay)

“I think even though people are saying Canada maybe didn't bring their best roster and are, on betting odds, not even favorites, easily win the gold without really ever struggling.” (Jeremi Plourde)

“USA will struggle immensely on defense and have to rely heavily on Augustine more than wanted.” (Josh Klicka)

“Kazakhstan stays alive in the top pool!” (Dave Hall)

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Canada

Derek Neumeier — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:30 +0000

_{GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - DECEMBER 27: Latvia vs Canada Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scandinavium on December 27, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)}

For every Canadian contingent at the annual World Juniors tournament, there is only one goal, one standard that is strived for: winning gold. Anything less than that is considered a failure.

At the same time, however, there are still different degrees of failure that exist for the hockey juggernaut when it comes to this event. So when Canada only finished 5th last year, after being bounced by Czechia in the quarterfinals and getting sent home before they were even able to compete for a medal of any colour, it was nothing short of a catastrophe on all fronts.

The good news is that it's still possible to turn last year's outcome into little more than a blip in the country's long history of World Juniors success stories. After all, Canada had won gold the two preceding years, and then again two years before that.

And perhaps the host city for this year's tournament is a good omen for a comeback. Not only will Canada have the advantage of playing on home soil, but they'll be doing so again in Ottawa, where they emerged victorious back in 2009, which was the fifth iteration in an incredible stretch of five consecutive championships. That also happened to be one of the most iconic Canadian performances ever in this tournament, from the violent drama of the New Year's Eve match against the United States to Jordan Eberle's game-tying goal against Russia in the semifinals, to a masterful, top-to-bottom assault that stunned Sweden in the deciding game.

This year won’t be a cakewalk, however. The Americans are dangerous and seen by many as the favorites coming in, younger players than usual will be tasked with important roles, and some very highly-regarded names were controversially left off the team in an attempt to strike a better kind of balance within the roster, decisions that will be scrutinized even further if Canada underperforms expectations.

The stakes are high and the pressure is mounting. Now it’s time to see what these Canadian players are made of.

Key Players

Cole Beaudoin, Center

Anyone who might feel skeptical about Beaudoin making this team needs to go back and watch the gold-medal game of the 2024 IIHF U18s, between Canada and the United States. He was nothing short of fantastic in that pivotal contest, scoring a 3rd-period goal and putting in stalwart defensive work throughout his 20 minutes of ice time, especially when Canada was defending their lead late against a final American push. That was a quintessential Beaudoin performance, showing him at the peak of what his impact can be as a workhorse center who has no trouble carrying a heavy load. And because he's so experienced, comfortable and effective with how he plays it makes it easy for his coaches to know exactly how to use him. Any time Canada needs to close out a win in this tournament you can be sure that Beaudoin will be coming over the boards.

Oliver Bonk, Defense

Bonk is usually not particularly entertaining to watch, but he's the type of player that you could set your watch to. When it comes to producing consistently solid two-way hockey as a defenseman, he is nearly unparalleled for this age group. He can eat up a lot of minutes in all situations and rarely leaves his team in a worse spot than the one that they were in when he stepped onto the ice. And perhaps most crucially, after back-to-back appearances in the OHL finals with the London Knights, one trip to the Memorial Cup, and him being a returnee for this tournament, he's not likely to be intimidated or thrown off of his game by the bright spotlight that will be shining directly on him and the rest of the home team. If he can act as a calming presence for this blueline it could make a bigger difference than most spectators realize.

Berkly Catton, Center

Getting the opportunity to don the maple leaf will be a thrill for every player on this roster, but it's safe to assume that Catton will be a little extra excited about it. He was nothing short of heroic last year for a young and outgunned Spokane Chiefs club, playing a mind-boggling amount of minutes and putting in an immeasurable amount of work to help his team make the playoffs, often lifting them up single-handedly. Unfortunately for him, that long grind took a toll on his body and forced him to sit out last spring's IIHF U18 tournament due to injury, denying him the chance to improve upon the bronze medal that he won in the same event the year prior as an underage player. Now that he's healthy again and surrounded by a strong supporting cast we could really see him thrive in Ottawa, using his elite hockey sense, lighting-quick acceleration and deep bag of puck tricks to carve up enemy defenses.

Easton Cowan, Wing

Over the past couple of years Cowan has become fondly known by his nickname of "Cowboy," and a large part of why he's so successful as a prospect is because he knows how to bring a lot of "yeehaw" to how he plays. To put it another way, his work rate and tenacity are unmatched, his enthusiasm and confidence are infectious, and he's utterly fearless when it comes to any challenge that he faces. The effect of those intangibles is just as pronounced and impactful as what he actually does with the puck on his stick, which is also quite a lot, including routinely making big plays in big, game-deciding moments. Unlike most of his teammates, Cowan has yet to ever win an international gold medal with Canada, so he might be especially motivated in Ottawa by the chance to finally cross that kind of dreamed-about milestone off of his career to-do list.

Sam Dickinson, Defense

To say that Dickinson has been unstoppable in the OHL so far this season might still be selling it short. He's produced a staggering 46 points in 26 games, which is not only the most among all defenders in that league, but also put him in the Top 10 of overall scoring before he headed to Canada's selection camp. His success stems primarily from his combination of a 6-foot-3 frame, exceptional athleticism and explosive skating prowess. The way he can rush the puck up the ice is frequently jaw-dropping, and he is making progress with learning how to use those same tools to be a moving wall defensively. There are still some hiccups with his decision-making and puck management, so his coaches will need to be careful with his usage in such a short tournament, but if they ever need to increase the pace of a game or push for a much-needed goal then he'll be a go-to option.

Carter George, Goaltender

It shouldn't come as a surprise that George made this roster, given his prior success for Canada internationally. He backstopped his home nation to two gold medals just last year, first at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and then at the 2024 IIHF U18s, and was named the best goaltender at the latter event. He's about as focused and unflappable as goalies come at this age group, regardless of whether he's facing a barrage of shots all game or only periodic chances, and he's previously shown the ability to shut out all the outside noise and pressure that often sinks Canadian netminders in best-on-best competition. George might not outright steal any games in this tournament, but that's alright because he shouldn't have to. If he can manage his crease with poise and consistency that should be enough to lead his team to victory.

Gavin McKenna, Wing

Like Connor Bedard three years ago, and Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby going even further back, McKenna was named to a Canadian World Juniors roster before he reached his 17th birthday because of his sheer amounts of skill, hockey sense and potential to be a difference-maker were all simply too high to leave him off, regardless of his age. The reigning CHL Rookie of the Year leads the WHL in scoring heading into the holiday break thanks to his dazzling puck control, incisive vision and the competitive chip on his shoulder. McKenna is currently the scouting industry's consensus projection to become the 1st-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and that distinction will be further cemented if he shines bright in Ottawa, which is a likely outcome given his track record and body of work up to this point in his career.

Bradly Nadeau, Wing

Nadeau is the only member of this Canadian roster who has been playing hockey full-time at a professional level this season (with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, where he has an impressive 15 points in 22 games), which will help minimize this particular advantage that is always held by the top European clubs, who routinely bring multiple players with pro experience. He also might be something of a wildcard for this team, because he's highly talented and has been enjoying a steep upward trajectory with his development in recent years, yet this will be his first time representing Canada internationally. If everything comes together just right for Nadeau he could be a top player in this event, showing off his slippery transition play and booming slapshot, and using the opportunity as a springboard to turn him into a much bigger name in the hockey world.

Cal Ritchie, Center

Ritchie is one of three players on this roster who have already dressed for NHL regular-season games, though he's the only one so far who has collected his first goal at the sport's highest level. He probably could have stuck around all season in Colorado and succeeded, but getting to chase a gold medal at the World Juniors was one of the reasons why the Avalanche chose to send him back down to the OHL one last time. The big, abundantly skilled center is scoring at a pace of nearly two points per game with his club team in Oshawa and might be Canada's single-best offensive weapon here, especially considering he's older and more experienced than most of the others who will be wearing the maple leaf. He can generate offense in any way that he wants to, and can do so at both even strength and on the power play.

Matthew Schaefer, Defense

Just how special is Schaefer as a prospect? Let's put it this way: he is the first 17-year-old defenseman to be named to a Canadian World Juniors roster since Ryan Ellis, all the way back at the 2009 tournament. And there is a long list of great Canadian defensemen who came around between then and now but didn't get that privilege. When you watch him play he certainly doesn't look his age, with a poise and maturity well beyond his years, and he has an expert understanding of how to use his sublime skating ability to be a difference-maker all over the ice. Schaefer is one of only three players to ever win gold at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF U18s and the Hlinka, and if he adds another one to his trophy case here it will break even more new ground and add another chapter to an already remarkable story that he has only just begun writing for himself.

Sleeper Player

Carson Bjarnason, Goaltender

While Carter George comes into this tournament as Canada's expected number-one goalie, there's still a real chance that Bjarnason will take over the reins at some point and hold onto them in the elimination games. He doesn't have the same track record of international success that George does, but he's a year older, he's bigger, and he's faster in his movements. An argument could rationally be made that, on paper, Bjarnason is the better goalie at this point in time. There are still some consistency issues in his game, but he's pulled off more than a few show-stopping performances in his years in Brandon, and a goalie only needs to stay hot for a few matches in a row to lead his team to glory at the World Juniors. If he turns out to have the hottest hand among the Canadian goalies then his coaches would be remiss to not put their trust in him.

OHL: One NHL Prospect to Watch on Each Team

Kyle Watson — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:34:05 +0000

_{Henry Mews of the Ottawa 67's. (Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images)}

The 2024 NHL Draft marked the return of the OHL as hockey’s premier talent producer, leading the event with nine players selected in the first round and 39 in total. Oshawa Generals' rising star Beckett Sennecke was the first OHLer off the board at third overall, with Zayne Parekh, Sam Dickinson and Jett Luchanko joining him as lottery picks. The 2025 class, led by the equally high-flying Porter Martone and Michael Misa, could be even more impressive.

The 2024-25 OHL season is in full swing; players have returned from their NHL clubs and we have a concrete idea of how teams will shape up. Massive trades have already happened - such as Owen Sound captain Colby Barlow’s move to the Generals - and barring a few uncertainties, we know what the talent pool will look like in Ontario this year.

High-profile names like Liam Greentree and Sam Dickinson have continued to grab headlines a month into the campaign, posting gaudy statlines. While writing this article, I attempted to avoid blue-chip prospects, instead examining players positioned to have ‘breakout years,’ but included a few star names with storylines worth following.

Beau Akey, RHD, Barrie Colts (Edmonton Oilers)

DOB: Feb. 11th, 2005 H/W: 6-0/183 Draft: 2023, Rd. 2, 56th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 14 GP - 4 G - 5 A - 9 PTS

The Colts loaded the stables early this season: they added a trio of Dallas Stars prospects in Emil Hemming, Brad Gardiner and Tristan Bertucci before Game #1 before adding 104-point-scorer Dalyn Wakely in early October.

Amongst the glitz and glamour of all the flashy names arriving in Barrie, it might be easy to forget about Beau Akey. The Oilers’ 2023 second-rounder suffered a season-ending injury in November 2023 and was sidelined for most of his DY+1 campaign.

Once fully healthy, Akey will remind the world of his exceptional puck-moving ability. With the talent surrounding him in Barrie this season, his production should catapult. Whether paired with Bertucci, Senators prospect Gabriel Eliasson or 2025 draft-eligible Kashawn Aitcheson, Akey has been logging big minutes this season. Expect Barrie to be a frontrunner in the Eastern Conference playoff race and their top defenceman to lead them there.

Carson Rehkopf, F, Brampton Steelheads (Seattle Kraken)

DOB: Jan. 7th, 2005 H/W: 6-2/194 Draft: 2023, Rd. 2, 50th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 70 GP - 58 G - 48 A - 106 PTS

The Kraken second-rounder enjoyed about as perfect of a DY+1 campaign as possible. In the past two seasons in Kitchener, Rehkopf saw his offensive numbers rise significantly (from 30-29-59 in 68 games to 52-43-95 in 60) and he led the league in game-winning goals (10) and powerplay goals (16) last campaign.

The 19-year-old established himself as one of the deadliest shooters in junior hockey and honed his playmaking ability. He was also one of Canada’s better players at the World Juniors.

But there’s more to come for ‘The Razor’.

As talented as the 2023-24 Kitchener Rangers were, the Steelheads have deployed an even more gifted squad in their inaugural season in Brampton. Rehkopf was acquired in August to lead an offensive unit already boasting Angus MacDonell, Luke Misa, and a top-5 prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft in Porter Martone. Backstopped by sophomore phenom Jack Ivankovic, Brampton has depth in all areas and is well-equipped to add the final touches.

Projecting Rehkopf’s totals this season is almost frightening. Centring the Steelheads' top line with Martone on his wing, he is on pace for 39 goals and 136 points through seven contests (2.0 PTS/GP). The duo have outscored opponents 24-7 at 5v5 this season (77.4 GF%) and have been on the ice for 36 of Brampton's 66 goals through 14 games (54.5%).

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rehkopf-Martone.m4v

We know he won’t play 68 games as a returning player for Team Canada’s WJC group, but the Kraken prospect has another gear he’s starting to tap into for Brampton. Only 20 OHL players have reached the 120-point threshold in the 21st century; that mark should be within reach for Rehkopf.

Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

DOB: Apr. 12th, 2006 H/W: 6-0/179 Draft: 2024, Rd. 1, 27th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 74 GP - 39 G - 50 A - 89 PTS

The Bulldogs should be back with a bite this season and will be hungry for another OHL Championship. Their battle back to the top will be must-watch hockey for Chicago Blackhawks fans, with Vanacker (2024, 27th overall) and sniper Nick Lardis (2024, 67th overall) leading the charge.

Vanacker played most of his draft year with an injured shoulder, and Lardis was sidelined from January to the beginning of the playoffs with a wrist injury. Vanacker underwent surgery on his shoulder this summer. Upon his estimated return in December, Blackhawks fans will have their first look at the duo playing together 100 percent healthy.

In the 37 games played before Lardis’ injury on January 12th, Vanacker had 10 goals and 24 points. The Delhi, Ont. native stepped up during his teammates’ absence, scoring 19 goals and 44 points in the final 30 contests of the regular season. That’s a 226% uptick in points per game (0.65 w/ Lardis, 1.47 w/o).

I think Vanacker makes this Bulldogs team his own this season: Lardis is one of the most dangerous forwards in the league, and 2025 draft-eligible Jake O’Brien is a supreme playmaker, but Vanacker is so difficult to contain. He plays bigger than his 6-0, 174 lbs. frame: constantly getting under sticks and charging the net with an impressive blend of speed and skill.

The Hawks have some blue-chip prospects in their forward core: Oliver Moore, Lukas Reichel and Frank Nazar were all top-19 picks. In recent years, they have prioritized speed later in the draft, selecting the likes of Paul Ludwinski, AJ Spellacy, and John Mustard. I think Lardis and Vanacker fit nicely between those two tiers in Chicago’s system and both have a real chance of playing in their middle six in a few years.

Emil Pieniniemi, LHD, Kingston Frontenacs (Pittsburgh Penguins)

DOB: Mar. 2nd, 2005 H/W: 6-2/176 Draft: 2023, Rd. 3, 91st ov.

2023-24 Stats (Liiga): 38 GP - 2 G - 4 A - 6 PTS

Acquired by the Fronts in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, the Finnish defenceman arrives from the storied Kärpät organization. The 19-year-old played 48 games in Liiga last season: featuring almost entirely as the team’s seventh defenceman. Pieniniemi has also represented Finland at the U17, U18, and U20 levels, alongside new teammate Tuomas Uronen.

In his first 13 OHL games, the Penguins prospect has stepped right into the top of the Frontenacs lineup, operating as the PP1 anchor and playing on the top d-pairing alongside Quinton Burns. Pieniniemi’s playmaking ability is evident upon first-time viewing: he makes a strong first pass out of the zone and sees the ice very well from the blueline-in.

Kingston’s offence is flying on all cylinders this season, carrying them to the top of the East Division through 16 games (8-4-4-0). Their 68 goals are second only to Windsor’s 71 and their powerplay has been excellent, clicking at 27.3% - the fifth-best percentage in the league. Pieniniemi has been its quarterback, tied for the league lead with nine powerplay assists. I’m more interested in how he fares continually deployed in high-pressure defensive situations: he’ll be depended on heavily in Kingston and for Team Finland at the World Juniors.

Kevin He, LW, Niagara IceDogs (Winnipeg Jets)

DOB: Apr. 30th, 2006 H/W: 6-0/181 Draft: 2024, Rd. 4, 109th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 64 GP - 31 G - 22 A - 53 PTS

The IceDogs sit atop the Eastern Conference with 11 wins in their first 15 games, largely due to the exceptional start Kevin He is enjoying. The Jets prospect’s 23 points put him sixth in league scoring and he has a hand in 38% of Niagara’s 60 goals. Confidence has never been a problem for the speedy winger: He has been one of Niagara’s best players from the minute he stepped into the league. What’s most noticeable this season is his intensity on the ice. The shooting threat has always been there, but he has been able to generate more offence through his work on the forecheck and in the corners.

The addition of 20-year-old Kraken prospect Andrei Loshko has undoubtedly boosted the team’s offence, but it shouldn’t undermine He’s success. Incredibly, 21 of his 23 points thus far have been primary.

An electric six-point outing in early October against the powerhouse Steelheads put him on the radar as a potential fourth-round steal:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kevin-He-6pt-night.mp4

Ethan Procyszyn, C, North Bay Battalion (Anaheim Ducks)

DOB: July. 11th, 2005 H/W: 6-3/192 Draft: 2024, Rd. 3, 68th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 78 GP - 17 G - 25 A - 42 PTS

With the departure of overage centerman Dalyn Wakely to Barrie, Procyszyn immediately slots in on the Troops’ top unit between Owen Van Steensel and Anthony Romani. The OVS-Wakely-Romani line was one of the league’s best last season, combining for over 300 points. It’s unclear which direction North Bay is heading toward come the trade deadline, but the Ducks’ third-round pick in 2024 will get an extended look with veteran players surrounding him.

“If there is one player in this entire draft class born to be an elite fourth-line center, it’s Procyszyn.”

That’s how Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, described the Battalion’s new top pivot in McKeen’s 2024 NHL Draft guide. Procyszyn has continued to display his elite physical tools this season and I would contend his small-area puck skills have improved in the offseason. He has been very effective net-front on the PP1:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ethan-Procyszyn-mix.mp4

The Wasaga Beach native’s 12 goals currently lead the Battalion through 16 contests. Whether or not there are departures in North Bay before the trade deadline, Procyszyn will have ample time to develop there this season.

Luca Marrelli, RHD, Oshawa Generals (Columbus Blue Jackets)

DOB: Oct. 4th, 2005 H/W: 6-2/185 Draft: 2024, Rd. 3, 86th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 88 GP - 8 G - 62 A - 70 PTS

Oshawa struggled out the gate but Marrelli has been excellent, leading all OHL defencemen with 23 points after 16 games. His offensive tools look more refined this season and he’s visibly more confident attacking the net. The Generals have been spectacular at even strength with the 19-year-old on the ice, outscoring opponents 27-8.

The team’s trademark under Derek Laxdal was their defensive solidity around goaltender Jacob Oster. With Marrelli, Oster, Ben Danford, Luca D’Amato, and Zachary Sandu returning, that should be the case again under new bench boss Steve O’Rourke. Despite his impressive box score stats, Marrelli has always been more of a steady, well-rounded rearguard. While other players on this list have leaps and bounds left to make in their development, the Blue Jackets prospect already has a strong idea of his identity on the ice.

Colby Barlow and Beckett Sennecke are heating up, Marrelli is playing the best hockey of his career, and Cal Ritchie has returned from the Avalanche. The City of Oshawa wants their 14th OHL Championship.

Henry Mews, RHD, Ottawa 67's (Calgary Flames)

DOB: Mar. 9th, 2005 H/W: 6-0/187 Draft: 2024, Rd. 3, 74th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 75 GP - 17 G - 49 A - 66 PTS

The seventh overall selection in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Mews entered his draft season as one of the most profiled players eligible. After scoring 12 goals and 31 points as a rookie, he was a projected first-round pick on many lists entering the 2023-24 season. While the offensive side of his game continued to improve, the 67’s defenceman slid down draft boards due to inconsistencies at the other end of the ice.

It has been noted many times that Mews transitioned to defence very late in his minor hockey career, and thus has more room to grow. This may be a make-or-break season for the Flames’ third-round pick: either he rounds out his game or pops enough offensively to become a Hunter Brzustewicz-type defenseman. There is certainly value to be found here as a third-round selection.

Colin Fitzgerald, C, Peterborough Petes

DOB: Apr. 1st, 2008 H/W: 6-2/194

2023-24 Stats* (OMHA U16): 43 GP - 52 G - 33 A - 85 PTS

The Petes gambled taking Fitzgerald third overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection - a gamble already paying them dividends. Tendered to the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, the Minor Petes alumni decided to sign with his hometown team and was arguably their best player through 12 games before heading off to the U17s.

Standing at 6-2, 195 pounds, Fitzgerald can already match up against veteran players. He’s engaged in all areas of the ice and uses his reach effectively to protect the puck. He’s already proving a hassle beneath the hash marks:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Colin-Fitzgerald-mix.mp4

Peterborough doesn’t have any NHL-affiliated prospects—thus his inclusion in the list—but they possess one of the best ‘07 groups in the league. They unloaded at the trade deadline last season, acquiring 2023 first-round picks Caden Taylor (9th overall), Nico Addy (12th), and Aiden Young (16th) to join 13th-overall selection Carson Cameron.

Winless through their first 14 matchups, there’s a good chance the Petes are at the precipice of a historically bad season. What that means for Fitzgerald - and the rest of the ’08s and ’07s - is plenty of ice time and a long leash to learn from their mistakes.

Kieron Walton, F, Sudbury Wolves, (Winnipeg Jets)

DOB: Apr. 22nd, 2006 H/W: 6-6/212 Draft: 2024, Rd. 6, 187th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 74 GP - 18 G - 25 A - 43 PTS

The Jets grabbing Walton in the sixth round in Vegas was one of my favourite picks at the 2024 NHL Draft. The Wolves forward is a low-risk, high-reward selection: he possesses immense physical tools and can produce moments of brilliance, but there are massive questions surrounding his consistency. Though he was operating in a middle-six role, you never knew what version of Walton you were getting in his draft year:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Walton-mix.m4v

With 19 points in his first 15 games, the Toronto native has started the season well. He’s looked more dangerous from a standstill - four of his six goals have come on the powerplay - and is playing on Kocha Delic’s wing on the first line. Walton is still only averaging well under a hit per game, though. If the Jets are to unlock his potential, they must help him utilize his 6-5, 211-pound frame.

Carey Terrance, C, Erie Otters (Anaheim Ducks)

DOB: May 10th, 2005 H/W: 6-1/186 Draft: 2023, Rd. 2, 59th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 62 GP - 31 G - 25 A - 56 PTS

200 games into Carey Terrance’s OHL career, we have a strong idea of his qualities as a prospect: the 2023 second-round pick possesses some of the best straight-line speed in junior hockey and it allows him to be an efficient scorer and penalty killer. He’s stood out on an Otters team that has finished 17th, 19th, and 11th since he entered the league in 2021; now there is plenty of talent around him.

Between Terrance, Gabriel Frasca, and overage forwards Pano Fimis and Martin Misiak, Erie needs to solidify a top-9. If the Otters are to compete in the Midwest Division this season, Terrance needs to help them form an elite 1-2 punch down the middle.

Appointed as captain at the beginning of the season, there is certainly pressure on his shoulders. In his final year in Erie, I’m looking for the Ducks prospect to prove himself as one of the league’s best two-way pivots.

Nathan Aspinall, LW, Flint Firebirds (New York Rangers)

DOB: Mar. 30th, 2006 H/W: 6-7/195 Draft: 2024, Rd. 5, 159th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 69 GP - 19 G - 16 A - 35 PTS

Given how much the organization prioritizes size at the draft, few were surprised when the Rangers selected 6-7, 190-pound Aspinall with the 159th pick this past June. The Firebirds winger profiles similar to many players his size: he brings a heavy shot and great reach, but lacks consistency. New York has experience working with this type of player: they can aid him as he grows into his own body and starts to take over physically in the OHL.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Aspinall-mix.m4v

Aspinall can look to the Rangers' 2023 pick Dylan Roobroeck as a model of how a big-bodied forward can develop. Also standing at 6-7, the 20-year-old exploded offensively near the tail end of last season and was one of the Generals' best players on their run to the OHL Championship Finals.

Vilmer Alriksson, LW, Guelph Storm (Vancouver Canucks)

DOB: Feb. 18th, 2005 H/W: 6-6/234 Draft: 2023, Rd. 4, 107th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 71 GP - 18 G - 16 A - 34 PTS

Alriksson’s first season in North America was just ok. There were flashes of supreme skill, but his totals of 18 goals and 16 assists across 71 regular season and playoff games do not jump off the page. The big Swede drives to the net like a freight train and has solid hands in tight. At Canucks rookie camp, Alriksson played without fear, dominating around the net and mixing it up after the whistle.

Backhand beauty from Vilmer Alriksson :pinched_fingers: pic.twitter.com/QmCbxSQLmH

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 15, 2024

Vancouver GM Patrick Alvin liked what he saw at camp enough to sign the 2023 fourth-round pick to his entry-level contract before returning him to Guelph.

“Vilmer had a solid training camp and continues to develop and improve,” said Alvin in September. “We really like his size, skating ability and skillset.”

There are rumours that 2024 first-round pick Jett Luchanko will be traded from Guelph. Whether or not the Flyers prospect remains with the Storm will play a large role in how this year goes for Alriksson. A move to a more competitive team - even alongside Luchanko - is also a distinct possibility.

Trent Swick, LW, Kitchener Rangers (Vegas Golden Knights)

DOB: Apr. 25th, 2004 H/W: 6-6/208 Draft: 2024, Rd. 6, 180th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 70 GP - 30 G - 37 A - 67 PTS

The Blueshirts lost a lot of firepower in the offseason, saying goodbye to their three top scorers in Rehkopf, Hunter Brzustewicz and Matthew Sop - as well as Filip Mešár and Eduard Šalé. As a result, Swick will carry a far greater offensive burden this year. The 20-year-old took a massive step in production last season - from 18 points in 33 games (0.55 PTS/G) to 62 in 63 (0.98). Much of that increase can be attributed to Swick’s improvements in overall quickness. His 6-7 frame makes him a threat driving through traffic, but he’s also become much more proficient at cutting inside and picking out corners.

Despite the summer of outgoings, the Rangers are in first place a month into this season. Swick has slotted onto the top line alongside leading scorer Adrian Misaljevic and 2025 NHL Draft-eligible Luca Romano. Since his return, Kitchener is 11-0-0-1 and his line has combined on 19 of Kitchener’s 53 goals (35.8%).

Sam O’Reilly, F, London Knights (Edmonton Oilers)

DOB: Mar. 30th, 2006 H/W: 6-1/190 Draft: 2024, Rd. 1, 32nd ov.

2023-24 Stats: 84 GP - 25 G - 43 A - 68 PTS

Every season, a player has a “breakout” year for the Knights. Buried underneath all the talent constantly coming through the pipeline in London, second and third-year players often take a massive jump in production and notoriety when given more opportunities. Easton Cowan is one example; Oliver Bonk, Luke Evangelista, Liam Foudy - the list goes on.

That wasn’t the case for Sam O’Reilly. The Oilers first-round pick enjoyed large stints of London’s championship run as a center in the top six. He and Jacob Julien were the team's top two centers during Kaleb Lawrence’s suspensions in the second and third rounds. Easton Cowan and Denver Barkey were mostly used on the wing - though Cowan played center in the Memorial Cup with O’Reilly on his flank.

It’s unclear who the Knights will deploy there this season: O’Reilly, Cowan, Barkey, Julien, William Nicholl, Evan Van Gorp, Rene Van Bommel, Landon Sim, and 2024 first-round pick Logan Hawery are all capable. Regardless of position, O’Reilly will be a fixture in the Knights’ top six this season as they defend their throne as OHL champions.

Carter George, G, Owen Sound Attack (LA Kings)

DOB: May 20th, 2006 H/W: 6-1/190 Draft: 2024, Rd. 2, 57th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 60 GP, 23-9-6-3, .907 S%, 3.30 GAA, 4 SO

It was trial by fire for George in his rookie year in the OHL: the Thunder Bay native turned aside more shots than any goaltender in North America’s four major junior leagues last season (CHL and USHL). The Attack netminder stopped 1,744 of the 1,923 attempts he faced - an average of 31 per game. On 19 occasions, he faced more than 38 shots a night.

With how things are shaping up in Owen Sound so far, the Kings prospect will continue to face a lot of rubber in his sophomore season. There is a strong chance the attack will also be sellers by the trade deadline. It’s not necessarily bad for George’s development, though: ice time is the most important thing for goaltenders and the 18-year-old tends to thrive under pressure. He is an exceptionally smart and technically sound goaltender who manages scrambles and shots through traffic well. Despite starting 60 of a possible 72 games last season, he was consistently tremendous, never giving up on a play. As long as the Attack have George in between the pipes, he gives them a chance to win every night.

Joey Willis, C, Saginaw Spirit (Nashville Predators)

DOB: Mar. 14th, 2005 H/W: 5-11/185 Draft: 2023, Rd. 4, 111th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 83 GP - 18 G - 43 A - 61 PTS

After playing up and down the lineup in the Spirit’s run to their first Memorial Cup championship in June, the Preds 2023 fourth-rounder has nailed down a spot in Saginaw’s top six this season. Willis’ game is built around his intelligence: which has served him well during his tenure in the OHL. The Spirit play a fluid 1-3-1 system when attacking, with players constantly swapping positions, and it suits the 19-year-old.

Willis is a crafty player, always popping up in dangerous areas and digging for pucks. He became more and more effective as the year progressed, coming up with timely scoring in the postseason. He does terrific work around the net for a player his size - and I think his shot, which is accurate but not powerful - will continue to improve as he matures.

Currently centring the second line behind the scorching-hot Michael Misa, Willis’ production hasn’t taken a substantial step this season, but he is on the top powerplay unit. There may not be massive signs of improvement here, but I can see his game going to the next level if the Spirit decide to take another run at it - he’s a player who rises to the occasion.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Joey-Willis-mix.m4v

Lukas Fischer, LHD, Sarnia Sting (St. Louis Blues)

DOB: Sep. 9th, 2006 H/W: 6-3/184 Draft: 2024, Rd. 2, 56th ov.

2023-24 Stats: 68 GP - 6 G - 28 A - 34 PTS

The Sting are still a team in transition following their run to the Western Conference Finals in 2023 but are set up to be a real problem in years ahead. Sarnia made out of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection like bandits, walking away with two first-round talents in Alessandro Di Iorio and Beckham Edwards. After picking Di Iorio with the second overall pick, they convinced Edwards - who had tendered with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms - to commit to the program.

It’s been a trial-by-fire for both ‘08-born centermen, who’ve been thrust right into top-9 roles behind veteran Easton Wainwright. Di Iorio and Edwards have met nearly every challenge they’ve faced so far, combining for 20 points in their first 14 junior hockey games.

Earning the ‘C’ in his third season, Fischer has the chance to lead a young Sting team into a new era in Sarnia. As the indisputable 1D on a rebuilding team, the 18-year-old will have ample room to develop all areas of his game. He’s got a solid foundation of physical skills, with plenty of room to grow into his 6-3 frame, and has always been reliable in his own end. He doesn’t overhandle the puck and makes an excellent first pass. This season, Fischer looks more confident as a puck carrier, he’s joining the rush more and has even finished off a few plays in front of the net.

Andrew Gibson, RHD, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Nashville Predators)

DOB: Feb. 13th, 2005 H/W: 6-3/210 Draft: 2023, Rd. 2, 42nd ov.

2023-24 Stats: 79 GP - 12 G - 34 A - 46 PTS

The Red Wings’ 2023 second-round pick was acquired by Nashville in June, joining the Preds conveyor belt of defensive prospects. Gibson started to show the qualities that made him a top prospect more consistently last season, operating as the Greyhounds’s go-to shutdown guy. He moves his 6-3, 203-pound frame around well and is always engaged physically.

With a mass exodus of stars in the summer, Gibson leads a new-look Hounds team into a new era. Reinforcements arrived from Tuscon last week, however: Utah HC prospects Owen Allard and Noel Nordh were assigned to the Soo from the AHL’s Roadrunners. They’ve massively helped the team’s powerplay, improving from 3.1% to 9.1% in just a few games. I’d like to see Gibson improve as a puck mover as the anchor of the top unit - especially if he has World Juniors aspirations.

AJ Spellacy, F, Windsor Spitfires (Chicago Blackhawks)

DOB: Feb. 24th, 2006 H/W: 6-3/201 Draft: 2024, Rd. 3, 72nd ov.

2023-24 Stats: 67 GP - 21 G - 17 A - 38 PTS

The 2024 third-round pick was the story of the Blackhawks' training camp, outlasting all other junior players attending. Spellacy turned heads with his hard-hitting and suffocating forecheck, facilitated by his tremendous speed. The American forward is a unique case study of a prospect. As a high school football prospect with multiple offers from D1 schools, he only began focusing on hockey exclusively upon joining the Spits. He also missed out on the final 20 games of his rookie season with a knee injury.

The factors surrounding Spellacy’s development make him a fascinating player to watch. He has a tremendous athletic profile and has always stood out with his flashy skating, but he’s putting it all together in real time. The Spitfires struggled last season, which resulted in inconsistent production for the then-draft-eligible, but you’re starting to see the final product now that they lead the OHL.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Spellacy-go-zoom.mp4

Carter George – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #27 Los Angeles Kings – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 27th (Last Year - 24th) GM: Ken Holland Hired: May 2025 COACH: D.J. Smith (Interim) Hired: March 2026

1. Carter George, G, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

2. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights (OHL) (Currently with Ontario Reign, AHL)

3. Vojtech Cihar, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

4. Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan (NCAA) (Currently with Ontario Reign, AHL)

5. Kenny Connors, C, Ontario Reign (AHL)

6. Erik Portillo, G, Ontario Reign (AHL)

7. Jared Woolley, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

8. Jimmy Lombardi, C, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

9. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

10. Jared Wright, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

11. Kristian Epperson, LW, University of Denver (NCAA)

12. Ryan Conmy, RW, Boston College (NCAA)

13. Martin Chromiak, LW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

14. Petteri Rimpinen, G, Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga)

15. Jakub Dvorak, D, Ontario Reign (AHL)

2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – TEAM MCKEEN’S PREDICTIONS – Final Medal Standings, Tournament MVP, Top Forward, Top Defense, Top Goaltender, Best 2026 Draft Eligibles and Biggest Surprises

Final Medal Standings Predictions

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

Who Wins Tournament MVP?

Who Wins Best Forward?

Who Wins Best Defender?

Which 2026 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Has the Best Tournament?

2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – GOALTENDING POWER RANKING FOR ALL TEN NATIONS

#1 Canada

Projected Starter: Carter George

Projected Backup: Jack Ivankovic

#2 Finland

Projected Starter: Petteri Rimpinen

Projected Backup: Kim Saarinen

#3 Sweden

Projected Starter: Love Harenstam

Projected Backup: Herman Liv

#4 Slovakia

Projected Starter: Michal Pradel

Projected Backup: Alan Lendak

#5 Switzerland

Projected Starter: Christian Kirsch

Projected Backup: Elijah Neuenschwander

#6 United States

Projected Starter: Nick Kempf

Projected Backup: Caleb Heil

#7 Czechia

Projected Starter: Michal Orsulak

Projected Backup: Matyas Marik

#8 Germany

Projected Starter: Linus Vieillard

Projected Backup: Lukas Stuhrmann

#9 Latvia

Projected Starter: Nils Roberts Maurins

Projected Backup: Mikus Vecvanags

#10 Denmark

Projected Starter: Anton Emil Wilde Larsen

Projected Backup: Patrick Tiedjen

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #24

Los Angeles Kings Top-15 Prospects

1 - Liam Greentree

2 - Carter George

3 - Henry Brzustewicz

4 - Hampton Slukynsky

5 - Koehn Ziemmer

6 - Erik Portillo

7 - Ryan Conmy

8 - Jared Woolley

9 - Francesco Pinelli

10 - Kristian Epperson

11 - Petteri Rimpinen

12 - Caeden Herrington

13 - Vojtech Cihar

14 - Jimmy Lombardi

15 - Jakub Dvorak

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #25 LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

2025 W0RLD JUNIORS: Eight NHL-affiliated prospect that have impressed in the preliminary rounds

#4 Axel Sandin Pellikka, D - Sweden (Detroit)

#24 Cole Hutson, D - United States (Washington)

#21 Jakub Stancl, F - Czechia (St.Louis)

Prospect System Ranking – 27th (Last Year - 24th)
GM: Ken Holland Hired: May 2025
COACH: D.J. Smith (Interim) Hired: March 2026