Leo Braillard – McKeen's Hockey

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Switzerland

Chapin Landvogt — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:27:04 +0000

_{Leon Muggli}

After getting shut out by Slovakia and then blown away by the USA at the 2024 WJC, the Swiss were able to chalk up a clear 6-2 win over Norway and then duke things out evenly in a tight 4-2 loss to the Czech Republic before taking host Sweden all the way to overtime in a 3-2 loss in the 66th minute of play. All in all, it was exactly the type of tournament expected from last winter’s edition even if the 3-0 loss to Slovakia was clearly disappointing.

Regardless of what their competitors may think, the Swiss federation will enter this year’s tournament with some healthy expectations seeing as how the team can return 10 players while several of the new faces belong to the best prospects they’ve had in years, Lars Steiner being the most notable. With six participants currently in North America, 4 others in Sweden, and basically the rest of the team already playing pro hockey on at least a part-time basis, there’s reason to believe that they’ll be able to take on all comers - if they can adjust accordingly.

Perhaps the biggest question will be who is in net. Christian Kirsch was drafted last summer and is now in the USHL preparing for his NCAA career, but his numbers there have been average to date. Returnee Ewan Huet already has some serious WHL experience but has struggled mightily in 9 contests to date this season. At the same time, first-year draft-eligible Elijah Neuenschwander has looked very solid in 5 pro SL contests while being just about dominant in the nation’s U20 league. Enticing, but the other two already understand North American angles all too well. All three could end up being the go-to guy but one is going to have to take the bull by the horns if Switzerland is to achieve anything more than quarterfinal participation.

What we’re going to be interested in seeing is twofold. On the one hand, we’re extremely excited to see what Lars Steiner can do at this level considering he’s already clipping at over a PPG pace in the QMJHL, having long been one of the top 5 scorers in the league this season. He is not the fastest or flashiest of players, but his numbers to date can’t be ignored and the team will definitely need a player of this ilk to step up to the plate. On the other hand, there are going to be a good portion of players currently gathering NL experience. Young men such as Jan Dorthe, Rico Gredig, Robin Antenen, and Loris Wey up front as well as Nic Balestra, Tim Bünzli, and Nils Rhyn on the blueline are all guys we’d not highlight as keys to this team, but who are already gathering considerable experience at the NL level. Forward Matteo Wagner has suited up for games in the HockeyAllsvenskan while forwards Endo Meier and Kimo Gruber are already regular contributors at the SL level. There’s a potpourri of possibilities if this pro play ends up being that edge that gets the Swiss over the top.

Group B placement may end up being of good fortune for the Swiss. There are no North American teams involved, and Kazakhstan is not a team the Swiss are expected to have problems with. Sweden and the Czech Republic are the faves, but the Swiss have often put up good outings against both. Should the goal be finishing no lower than third in the group (and it very well should be), the game on December 27th against Slovakia will be the key. That one could go either way and will likely be a big boost on several fronts for the winner. Things will already get difficult for the Swiss in the quarterfinals as even a third-place Group B finish will likely mean a match-up against Canada or the USA.

Key Players

Leo Braillard, W

In the midst of his second CHL season - now strutting his stuff in the WHL as opposed to the QMJHL - Braillard is one of those players whose shot and creativity are not necessarily reflected in his numbers. There’s a whole lot of offensive gumption in this young man despite just 12 goals and 16 points for Lethbridge in 24 games played. For this Swiss squad, the WJC-returnee will need to assume a top 6 role and put his experience on North American ice to good use. There’ll be some space against a few opponents, and he should be able to make use of it. One way or another, Braillard will have to be a needle-mover if Switzerland is to achieve anything other than a quick quarterfinal appearance.

Alain Graf, C

What a pleasure Graf’s rise this season has been thus far. The 6’2”, 200-pound righty shot forward put up 7 points in two U20 league games before getting called up to the NL for a long stretch. A good block of 15 or so games saw him get in some solid 4th line minutes and since then, he’s been trekking it between the NL and SL, where he’s been logging 14+ minutes a night and has six points in seven games. Graf has not only shown that there’s some acute offensive acumen in his game, but that he’s embracing the defensive side of his position, something that has been key to getting a shot in the NL this year. For the WJC squad, it may be time for him to take on a top 6 job, the kind where he could set some talented wingers in motion while always being ready to act as a third defenseman.

Ludvig Johnson, D

The Swiss U20 league’s top offensive defenseman, the half-Swedish Johnson has gone from junior blueline all-rounder to starlet for EV Zug. Called up to the bigs on October 26th, he’s never looked back, going 1-2-3 with a +3 over 13 games. His body of work has been so impressive that he’s gotten over 15 minutes of ice time on four occasions and even logged nearly 19 minutes in his third contest. Just 6-foot, 180 pounds, Johnson is sneaky good with the stick and has the skating to be a plus factor, even against senior-level players. And he’s entering the WJC on a high. Will it solidify his spot on the team, much less make him a regular contributor? We can say that Johnson is still just 18 and will be until after next summer’s draft, although this is his DY+1. We’re hoping this young overager will be given the chance to use this tournament to permanently inscribe his name into the notebooks of many an NHL scout.

Andro Kaderli, F

Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of Kaderli, who has appeared for Switzerland in one quiet U18 Worlds. He’s only just now starting to raise a few eyebrows. A 6-foot, 185-pound forward who is currently enjoying his second year as part of Leksand’s organization, Kaderli should be nonetheless expected to be a player the Swiss leans on thanks to his impressive U20-league play in Sweden as well as the fact that he’s gotten into 11 SHL games this season, a rather unexpected achievement. Even though the offense has been decent in two seasons at the U20 level, it’s his maturity and readiness to do the job asked of him that has allowed coaches to entrust him with more opportunity than the average 19-year-old receives. Here’s hoping he shows us why in Ottawa.

Gian Meier, D

A somewhat scrawny 6’2”, Meier was one of those 2023 draft-eligibles who first really jumped onto the scene at the U18 Worlds, where he was arguably Switzerland’s top player. It didn’t suffice to get him drafted, but it did facilitate a jump to Frölunda’s U20 program and low & behold, he’s even worked himself into 3 SHL contests for the big club. With 12 points in 19 U20 league games, it’s understandable why this still 18-year-old has been given a look despite perhaps a somewhat unknown pedigree. As for the WJC, there’s no reason he shouldn’t already be a regular contributor on a blueline that is looking pretty doggone deep if you simply take pro experience into account. He might even be one of the Swiss’ better players when it comes to the transition game.

Rafael Meier, LW

The 6-foot 19-year-old finds himself in his DY+2 season after a strong, but hidden, draft year and then having missed the bulk of last season. When he did play last season, it was primarily at the pro level with 10 SL games and 6 NL games. Not much in the way of offense came of it and thus, he entered this season as the least of the “Meiers” in the prospect pecking order. That’s all in the past now as Meier comes to Ottawa as the team’s most established NL player, having gone 4-8-12 and +5 in 29 games for Kloten. That has him tied for 2nd among U21 scorers in the league, one point below Montreal Canadiens draft pick Vinzenz Rohrer. There’s a whole lot of jump and smarts in Meier’s game and he can play hard and rough when necessary. He’s good down low on the power play but has scored on nice wrist shots this season. He’s on his way to being a draftable player next summer. This tourney will be about adding to that value.

Leon Muggli, D

We talked about and reported on Muggli quite a bit last and all for good reason. He was on our charts heading in but made the NL roster right from Day 1 and never looked back. When all was said and done, he had 12 points and a +13 for EV Zug as primarily a 17-year-old and gathered gobs of experience at the WJC then eventually the U18 Worlds, where he unfortunately got injured in Game 3. This led to him being selected 52nd overall by the Washington Capitals and before everyone got their draft reviews in, he had signed his ELC. There’s been no step back this season, even if his team isn’t quite as strong as it was last year, and he’s already doubled his 23-24 penalty minutes in just 21 games. All indications are that he’ll be a key component to what’s become a very NL-rich blueline. We certainly can’t wait to see him holding the fort against the likes of Sweden and Czechia, two preliminary-round favorites with plenty of artists in their forward ranks.

Jamiro Reber, C

Despite a really nice outing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup a few years back, Reber was insanely quiet at both the WJC and U18 Worlds last season. And that simply be covered up by a fairly prolific year with HV71’s U20 team (39 points in 47 games). That was where he was expected to spend this season. But that expectation has long since become a thing of the past. No, instead he’s now vying for the SHL’s Rookie of the Year award, having become a 14-point regular in 25 games. We knew he had some serious skill, but his draft snubbing must have really flipped a switch because Reber is going on all gears and basically a lock to be selected as an overager next summer. No doubt he’d also like to finally make an impact for his nation over the holidays, so expect him to be the go-to guy when the chips are on the line.

Eric Schneller, D

The undrafted righty-shot Schneller is 19 and average in size at 5’11”, 190 pounds. However, he’s spent just about the whole season with Geneva serving as the team’s 7th defenseman, making appearances in 25 games to date. At times, he only sees 3-5 minutes of ice. At others, he’s clocking upwards of 15 minutes. It usually depends on the opponent. But after 3 full seasons in Rögle’s junior program and a fairly strong showing at the 2023 U18 Worlds, Schneller has headed back to Switzerland as a player clearly ready for the pro game. At this tournament, he’ll bring a world of international experience with him to the table and is probably eyeing a top 4 spot in the line-up. He’ll surely be extra pumped to put on a show when his team faces Sweden in the preliminary round, as he’s yet another defender on this team who is half-Swedish.

Lars Steiner, RW

Let’s face it, Steiner is the number one reason to spend your time watching Switzerland at this tournament. His arrival and performance in the QMJHL have been nothing short of fantastic for a player in his draft year, much less one in his DY-1. That’s right, the slightly built trickster won’t be eligible for the draft until 2026, so there are clearly thoughts of him following in the footsteps of players such as Timo Meier and Nico Hischier. And we’re here for it! The skillset is clearly above average for a Swiss prospect even though his effectiveness is best seen on the power play and when he has time to shoot. He doesn’t hesitate and if the shot isn’t going in, it creates rebounds for his peers. Don’t get us wrong - there’s a lot he’ll need to improve on. But he’s going to be a top 6 winger and 1st line PP player at this tournament. We’ll see how he does without the weight of the world on his shoulders - this time around.

Sleeper

Danil Ustinkov, D

We’re not even certain he’ll be anything more than the 7th defenseman, but it wasn’t too long ago that we viewed Ustinkov as a serious topic for the top two rounds of the 2023 draft. After all, he already had pro experience and a fantastic U18 Worlds under his belt at the age of 16. But he was very bland in his draft season and then topped that off with some rather unimpressive play internationally. Interestingly, it’s not as though he was doing much differently than before, but rather he wasn’t taking that next step. In fact, he just didn’t look like a player who’d project as a future NHLer. He’s now just 18 and will be until next June. Nonetheless, he’s an undrafted player who has sifted into a regular top 4 role on a 2nd league SL team in Switzerland. And there, he’s often gotten over 18 minutes a night while going 2-6-8 in 28 games. Is he ready to use this tournament to get his name back in the draft hat?

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – Team Switzerland

Chapin Landvogt — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 16:11:20 +0000

What a rollercoaster ride the 2023 WJC was for the Swiss side. A 3-2 OT win in the opener against Finland was followed by another 3-2 OT win over the pesky Latvians. Things were tight for a while against the USA (ultimately a 5-1 loss) before duking it out in an all-important Game 4 against Slovakia, once again coming out on top in overtime (well, the shootout) 4-3. The Czechs put a quarterfinal end to any thoughts about a Cinderella run with a 9-1 shellacking, but it was the first time in the past three WJCs that Switzerland was able to go from disappointment to inspiration. It also served as the swan song for 3-year head coach Marco Bayer.

Enter Swiss legend Marcel Jenni, who’s been in charge of the program’s U18 squad over the same period of time. A 2-time WJC participant himself, and 15-year veteran of the Swiss national team, Jenni has seen it all and has put together a team for this year’s event that is shy on draft picks (just one) and players honing their craft in North America (no more than 6). That’s not to say that it’s shy on international experience as no less than 9 players are playing abroad, and 2 others spent last season in Canadian juniors while forward Endo Meier actually began this season with the Barrie Colts. Nonetheless, only 4 members of his team are returning from last year’s tournament and 3 other likely nominees are just 17. This means Jenni is entering tourney play with three different generations and little in the way of WJC experience.

Theoretically, things should be fine in goal as the team will be going to battle with three goaltenders who have all done something special sometime in the past two years. Alessio Beglieri even returns to action with parts of two games under his belt at last winter’s classic, but Ewan Huet of the Regina Pats is the man with the familiar name, and the youngest in the group. Will his WHL experience mean he’s the go-to guy?

That is yet to be seen, but a defenseman with plenty of OHL experience is entering his third WJC and will most definitely be the go-to guy, namely Rodwin Dionicio, who was drafted this past summer by the Anaheim Ducks as an overager. He’s bound to see plenty of action and be a ne plus ultra on the blueline for the power play. Behind him you can expect to see 17-year old draft-eligibles Leon Muggli and Daniil Ustinkov get a long hard look at key minutes while this tournament will have special meaning for 3-year Swedish juniors veteran Eric Schneller (a half Swede himself). Still, the heart-n-soul of this defensive crew is Simone Terraneo, who captained the Swiss at the 2022 U18 Worlds. After a fantastic season in the SL last year (21 points in 35 games), the all-rounder is strutting his stuff in style now for Ambri-Piotta of the NL and looks like a strong candidate to be drafted as an overager. Depth options Louis Füllemann, Gael Christie, and Tim Bünzli all bring NL and/or SL experience to the table.

Up front, we’re missing someone who’ll spearhead the offense. Sure, Miles Müller is doing fine for the Moncton Wildcats this season and is a returnee while Léo Braillard (WHL) and Simon Meier (BCHL) are showing well for themselves in Western Canada. Jonas Taibel will be given a key role as he prepares for his third WJC. Still, we’re not seeing offensive-oriented gamers like Attilia Biasco, Lorenzo Caninco, and Simon Knak, none of whom were even stars in their own right, though impactful players. First year draft-eligible Jamiro Reber could assume such a role though. We liked what we saw at the U18 Worlds and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and now he’s having a dandy of a season with the HV71 U20 team in Sweden. We can see him doing some nice things here with his U18 wingers Endo Meier and Matteo Wagner, the latter of which is also plying his trade in Sweden’s U20 circuit. The rest of the forward corps, save for possibly Alessandro Lurati (USHL), is currently splitting the season between their clubs’ U20 squad and either the NL or SL. Julian Rod, Matteo Reinhard, and Thierry Schild should all be expected to take a regular shift.

A big advantage for the Swiss is their group and the scheduling. Group B does indeed include powerhouses Czechia and the USA, but Norway and Slovakia are teams the Swiss should be gunning for as beatable opponents. In addition, they’ll have the day off before facing each of these teams, which will both be coming off a tough game the day before. This will have to factor in Coach Jenni’s plans and may allow his group of young men to take advantage of tired legs. The Swiss also feature a potpourri of very promising young players mixed with a number of program vets who had looked quite promising a few years back. Several of the players are playing in Sweden now too, so there’ll surely be some extra incentive in Gothenburg to help light their competitive fires. The team has its eye no less than 4th place, internally 3rd place, but either one will surely mean heading to the quarterfinals against one of Canada, Finland, or Sweden. Then we’ll see what the team is really made of.

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK - DECEMBER 31: Rodwin Dionicio #4 of Switzerland skates against Slovakia in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Avenir Centre on December 31, 2022 in Moncton, New Brunswick. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

10 to Watch plus a Sleeper

Rodwin Dionicio D

Rare is the player who gets into 3 WJCs, but the 6’2”, 214-pound Dionicio is one such specimen. He’s in his 3rd year of OHL play and currently has 29 points in 26 games split between Niagara and the Windsor Spitfires. This is on the tails of a 22-23 season in which he clipped at a PPG pace with 50 points in as many games. We won’t go as far as to say he’ll be competing for the top defenseman honors in Gothenburg, but he will be manning the 1st PP unit and playing with whatever group of forwards Coach Jenni deems to be the most effective line. He loves to jump up in the play, shows good smarts and mobility, and even plays the physical game with aplomb. But we’ve never been fans of his footwork and the book is out on him. Still, the Swiss need a mini-Josi type of performance and he’s the guy contracted to bring it.

Miles Müller C/W

A well-built plugger whose game has been developing bit-by-bit over three seasons in the QMJHL, the half Canadian Müller is having his best season to date, basically churning out a PPG pace and putting up an impressive +17 rating. The latter stat is important because he’s going to be tasked with playing against the big boys and keeping them honest at this tournament. He’ll want to be keeping them off the scoreboard too. There may not be a whole lot of offense to expect of him, just like in last winter’s WJC, but he’s going to have to be a leader and an on-ice presence for this team to enjoy success, and the team wouldn’t mind a few scrappy, hard-earned goals here and there. Not one of the big names, but a player who is expected to play big.

Léo Braillard RW

We really liked Braillard last fall when he was playing in Switzerland. In fact, it looked like he could be the nation’s top prospect in last summer’s draft. His play was so impressive that he was quickly brought over to spend the season with Shawinigan Cataractes. His play there was, all things considered, just fine, but not enough to convince a team to draft him. This season, he’s moved on over to the WHL where things have picked up with 20 points in 18 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Still 18 until next July 5th, Braillard is a stocky player with active feet around the net, for which he’s got a real nose. Able to handle the rough stuff, he’s got a North American feel to his game and will need to be an in-your-face presence in a top 6 capacity at this tournament, which he’ll surely be using to hopefully increase his overage stock draft.

Jamiro Reber C

One of the most talented Swiss players to come along in recent years, Reber is a real slick playmaker who not only reads the play at an above-average level but can make the kinds of passes no one else sees coming. A smaller player at 5’10”, 170 pounds, Reber is building up his draft profile with HV71’s U20 team in Sweden, entering this tournament with 6 goals, 24 points and a +6 in 30 games. We’ll expect him to be pumped up to put on a show in light of a realistic opportunity to face off against Team Sweden in the playoffs and further establish his credentials both there in Scandinavia and in the eyes of the scouting community. We’d even go so far as to say he’s primed to be on whichever will be the most effective offensive line Coach Jenni throws on the ice. There’s a connection there. Make sure to keep an eye out for him because if anyone on this team will be able to dazzle you, it’s Reber.

Leon Muggli D

Heading into the season, we’d have thought Muggli might have a shot at the #8 Dman role on this team. Maybe. With a good fall. Now we’re thinking we’ll be seeing him in a top 4, if not top pairing, role. Still 17, Muggli has spent all season in the NL, excelling his way to 9 points and an outstanding +18 in 25 games. He simply gets better week by week and is now at a point, where his maturity and hockey IQ just cannot be ignored. A player many felt was promising over the past two seasons is now blooming before our eyes and doing so much quicker than anyone could have reckoned with. Seen as a defensive defenseman who can lay on the hurt, Muggli has been sticking out as a player who can make a solid first pass, get pucks through from the point, and join the rush. Perhaps Switzerland’s top prospect for the 2024 NHL draft at this point, Muggli should be front and center for the Swiss throughout this tournament.

Simon Meier C/LW

A playmaker at heart, Meier’s U18 Worlds performance in his hometown Switzerland was bland and unspectacular at best. Current teammate Endo Meier (no relation) stole the show in a scoring role next to the aforementioned Reber, but the slightly undersized Simon quietly headed over to North America to begin his trek to the NCAA with the renowned Penticton Vees program. Committed to Northern Michigan University as of the 24-25 season, Meier is currently tied for 5th in team scoring with 23 points in 23 games, but all those ahead of him have played 4-5 more games than Meier since he began missing action in order to be with Team Switzerland in preparation for this tournament. Long story short, Meier is coming to Gothenburg brimming with confidence and is a player who we hope will raise some eyebrows. He certainly has the make-up to be one of the better offensive generators for a team that isn’t exactly swimming in them.

Matteo Wagner RW/LW

er average-sized winger on this team, we really liked Wagner’s nose for the net at the U18 Worlds. He was coming off a decent season in Finland’s U18 league and then harmonized well on a line with Reber. After 4 goals there, he headed back to Finland for this season and a slow start in the Finnish U20 circuit led to a jump to AIK in Sweden. There, he’s back to his goal-scoring ways with 9 goals (12 points) in 20 games. There’s a slickness to his game and his hand-eye coordination sometimes seems to be too good to be true. He also keeps opponents guessing with plenty of shake-n-bake with his head and shoulders. We think he could score a couple of important goals at this tournament, and he too belongs to the smaller group of players playing in Sweden who have that extra bit of incentive to put on good performance in front of the Swedish crowds.

Eric Schneller D

Schneller is a player who we expected big things from at last spring’s U18 Worlds. While 3 points in 5 games isn’t shabby for a defenseman, his -7 gave rise to concern. Returning to Rögle for this season, he’s been a steady but unspectacular player for the green and white’s U20 squad. In fact, he’s done little to insinuate that he should be an overage draft topic next summer. The main reason he’s listed here (instead of i.e., Simone Terraneo) is that, as a half Swede who Switzerland needs to step up and grab a key defensive role, Schneller has all the motivation in the world to play his best and most effective hockey to date. Expect him to be hitting the ice with extra jump anytime he’s called upon. Maybe the circumstances surrounding this tournament end up giving him the extra boost his young career has been in need of?!

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 23: Switzerland's Simon Meier #27 and Daniil Ustinkov #28 battle for the puck during the Switzerland vs Latvia Preliminary Round - Group B action at 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at St. Jakob Arena on April 23, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

Daniil Ustinkov D

Ustinkov was the guy we wanted to watch at last spring’s U18 Worlds. He didn’t disappoint. Then he was the guy we wanted to see at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Again, we saw everything we wanted despite a rough first game. Now it’s his draft year and, as expected, he’s been playing pro hockey every minute of the way split between the NL and SL, with plenty of minutes in the SL and fewer so in the NL. The respect for how pro-ready he and his skillset are is deserving of respect and moreover, draft recognition. Still, there’s been little in the way of production thus far. Ustinkov has all the tools to be an absolute stud on the blueline one day, but he’s clearly going to need more time to get the toolbox put together. There won’t be time for that at this tourney. He needs to bring his A-game and be a solid, tough-to-beat blueliner who distributes well. That’s his game, so he just needs to deliver.

Thierry Schild C/RW

Of slightly sub-average height and build, Schild is a player who has just kind of “been there” for several years now, but not a guy you’ve heard anyone really talking about despite strong junior numbers in recent years. Still, if you ask the Bern organization about him, they’ll be singing his praises. What Schild has proven to be is a thoroughly adaptable and responsible player who can roll with the punches, so much so that you may just see Jenni using him as a shutdown forward throughout this tournament. He’s also been a bit of a goalscorer for the Swiss U20 in test games stretching over the past two seasons (6 in 12 games). There’s some bite to his game, but it’s the mature approach that has led to him spending just about all season in the Swiss NL, putting up 4 points and a +1 in 26 games to date. If opponents are having a hard time scoring against Switzerland, Schild will probably be one of the main reasons.

Sleeper

Lorin Grüter G

You look at this goalie trio and see the name Ewan Huet, son of a former long-time NHLer who has cult status in both France and Switzerland’s hockey scenes, who is currently playing in the WHL and Alessio Beglieri, a former OHLer who got into 2 games at last winter’s event, and you’ve got to wonder why a 3rd goalie is even worth mentioning. The reason is quite simple, as Grüter may just be the best of the bunch. Hailing from famed second leaguer Küsnacht, the average sized Grüter started turning heads last spring with a 1.62 GAA and 8-0 record for his club in the U20 league playoffs. He’s continued to be a big winner with shiny numbers for that same club this year but has also gotten into a handful of games for the pro team in the SL, where he’s got a 5-2 record with a 2.26 GAA and impressive .932 SV%. Considering the fact that he’s outdueling Beglieri in Switzerland while Huet has struggled with the Regina Pats, don’t be surprised in the least if Grüter winds up in net when the money is on the line.

2023 IIHF U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: DIVISION B – Team Previews – Players to Watch

Chapin Landvogt — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:32:44 +0000

On April 20th, the IIHF Under 18 World Championships will commence with Team USA looking to turn last spring’s silver medal into this spring’s gold. The preliminary round should serve as a rather quick path to a prime playoff position before things get real hard in the round where every game counts. Certainly, Finland will have no intention of simply gifting the US with first place in the group, but it’ll require an otherwise down draft class to get some help from a handful of 2006-born players rising to the occasion. The hometown Swiss could be good for a hard showing and will be gunning for no less than third place, hoping to maybe surprise the Finns in the process. A tenacious Latvian club sniffing opportunity and an upstart newbie in Norway, which will nonetheless be lacking just about everyone of note who got them back into the top division, round off a group that, after the US, is looking fairly wide open.

United States

It’s like groundhog day all over again when talking about the goal for Team USA at this year’s U18 Worlds. All sites are on gold and there’ll be extra motivation after dropping a tight gold medal game against Sweden last spring that saw the third period get out of their grasp. The winner of 10 U18 gold medals and a whole slew of silver and bronze medals will be keen on regaining the main prize and this year’s US squad has plenty of reason to expect no less than a medal round appearance in Switzerland, seeing as how it’s chock full of prospects throughout the line-up who are gaining notoriety as probable top 65 picks this summer. Throw in the always imminent chemistry that the USNTDP spends two years investing in (there are only two players who have been added from outside the program, namely high schooler Hampus Slukynsky and OHL forward Carey Terrance), and you’ve got a built-in advantage that should first be tested in the quarterfinals.

Top Players to Watch

Trey Augustine - Photo by Rena Laverty

Trey Augustine (G)

We rarely get to see a goaltender this established at the U18 Worlds. After having stood in goal for four outings last spring, including the gold medal game, he’s had a brilliant winter that also saw him in goal for six games (3-1-0) at the WJC. Primed to work again with former US coach Adam Nightingale at Michigan State next fall, this tournament will serve as Augustine’s swan song with the USNTDP and there’s really nothing more for him to achieve but gold. Inspiring great confidence in this endeavor is the fact that Augustine has lost all of 5(!) games all winter, two of which came in overtime. It’s questionable whether any team this century has entered this tournament with a more established and successful goaltending presence.

Cole Eiserman (F)

Naturally, everyone was extremely excited to see Team Canada nominate Macklin Celebrini to its squad, but there’s nothing stopping the hockey community from just getting downright giddy about seeing Eiserman as well, as we may be getting a preview of the players going 1st and 2nd overall in the 2024 draft. We won’t go too much into the details of his 137 points collected this winter, but we would like to point out that he put up 17(!) goals in 13 games for the U18 team internationally. One of the most talked about US players in recent years, Eiserman can be a game-changer right here at this tournament and would have made just about any other team’s roster, despite being an “underager”. Expect him to show you why.

James Hagens (F)

Considering Eiserman is the next big thing, then is Hagens we’re all going to be seeing the next next big thing. Only 16 and first a 2025 draft eligible player, he’s along for the ride after accumulating 66 points for the U17 team and another 54 in 41 total games with the U18 squad. Surrounded by a plethora of more established players, Hagens should have fairly little pressure to deal with at this tournament, but there really isn’t any reason he shouldn’t be able to contribute offensively, especially in preliminary round play. Enjoy a glimpse into the future. We sure will.

Cole Hutson (D)

You may have trouble seeing him at 5’8” and 143 lbs., but you won’t be able to miss him. Yes, that name is familiar because his older brother Lane not only killed with the program, but then set a variety of records this past winter in getting his BU team to the Frozen 4. First draft eligible in 2024, and already a commit to the BU school his brothers are attending, Cole has big shoes to fill but already spent this season putting up a total of 81 points split between the program’s U17 and U18 teams. There’s every reason to believe we’ll see him on the power play every now and again here, and the US had no qualms in playing his older brother regularly as an underager back in Texas, so get ready for some more Hutson dynamism on the blueline this time around too.

Ryan Leonard (F)

A returnee to this tournament after a nice little underage showing last spring that saw him contribute six points and a whole lot of moxy, Leonard’s winter has been all about building on his draft profile, and his 97 points and +81 stats have him scheduled to perhaps go in the first half of this summer’s draft. For this tournament, Team USA is going to need Leonard to not only produce, but basically be the sniper on the team, which features a whole lot of players who can set things up.

Oliver Moore. Courtesy of the U.S. NTDP.

Oliver Moore (F)

One of the more established profiles on the team, Moore is expected to continue providing secondary scoring while supporting all efforts in all three zones. Heading into the draft this summer as a probable mid-first rounder, Moore brings a lot of the traits that are generally aligned with the pro game. For now, spectators can expect him to be the ying to Smith’s and Perreault’s yang while being a go-to player in just about all situations.

Gabe Perreault (F)

The son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault and brother to already drafted Jacob, Gabe is the actual leading scorer for this winter’s USNTDP squad, chalking up a total of 159 points. He’s a surefire top 40 pick in this summer’s draft and his performance here could decide if he’s a first or second rounder, as if the scouting community doesn’t already know what he can do. Nonetheless, this tournament is where there’s no tomorrow and the team will need him to continue coming as advertised. We’ll point out that he’s certainly not the biggest player out there and that can definitely factor in when the dice are rolled.

Will Smith (F)

In Mr. Smith, we’re looking at the US player who will likely be drafted highest this summer and a strong tournament in Switzerland could even fortify him as a top 5 pick, if he isn’t seen as such already. An outstanding player with a potpourri of tools, you’ll find plenty of people willing to gush about his future possibilities and we here at McKeen’s are no different, but we want to see him when the money is on the line. He’s been working up to this point and is no less than 7 games away from gold. If anyone here can will it into fruition, it’s Smith.

Finland

The Finns enter this tournament with a bronze medal in their pocket from last spring. That included a tough 1-0 semifinal loss to eventual gold medal-winning Sweden before knocking off Jiri Kulich and the Czechs for third place in the bronze medal game. And to kick off the playoffs, the Finns were able to defeat Canada in overtime of a game that required two late third period goals on their behalf to even get to overtime, so there was lots to be excited about last spring. This year, the Finns are expected to be right back in the thick of things, with perhaps no other reason than that there are three other teams in the group that should all have no business beating the Leijonat in the preliminary round. But despite the plethora of recognizable names in the line-up (be they related to former NHLers or not), this year’s team doesn’t feature an identifiable offensive star and, in general, doesn’t feature all too many players expected to be drafted top 45 this summer. A top three group finish is in the cards, but we expect things to get tough once the playoff round kicks off.

Top Players to Watch

Kasper Halttunen (F)

Having been a top 6 forward in last spring’s tournament, the 6’3”, 207-pound giant moves well for his size and has impressive offensive instincts and hands. He displayed that last spring and in his nation’s top U20 circuit this winter. His one point in 27 Liiga games gave reason to doubt his prospect status, at least in seeing him as worthy of a first round selection. With his team in need of point-producers at this event, he can kill two birds with one stone with any considerable offensive outburst. Expect him to make himself seen in several games this upcoming week.

Sweden's Oscar Davidsson and Finland's Konsta Helenius during the P17 international ice hockey match between Sweden and Finland on August 26, 2022 in Nyköping.
Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRÅN /

Konsta Helenius (F)

Here’s a player who’s ready to steal the show for Finland. Not only can proudly look back at 33 Liiga games (11 points, +9) this winter, the most of any player on this squad, he’s also only 16. As such, Helenius will be using this tournament to further back the belief that he’s headed for a first round selection in 2024. His international outings for both the nation’s U18 and U17 clubs this past season have been fantastic, seeing him scoring at over a PPG pace in each. Will he be doing the same in Switzerland? We won’t put it past him.

Topias Hynninen (F)

Another prospect for the 2024 draft, Hynninen was a PPG player and assistant captain at the U20 level this winter. He also got into 15 games of Liiga action (3 goals) and 7 games of Mestis play (3 points). If the name looks familiar, then you likely remember having seen him at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, where he chipped in three assists. We see him being a top 9 forward at this tournament and, like Helenius, further boosting his status as a top prospect for the summer of ‘24.

Emil Järventie (F)

The younger brother of Ottawa Senators draft pick Roby, and former Muskegon Lumberjack of the USHL, Järventie should be one of the more recognizable players at this tournament. Not necessarily the scoring star his brother was, he nonetheless has tested his metal in the pro game, suiting up 15 games of Liiga action and then another 28 in the second league Mestis (12 points) this past season. This makes him a clear-cut go-to guy for Finland and his value may also be most pertinent in how often he’s on the ice when the team needs to maintain a lead or sway momentum.

Jesse Kiiskinen (F)

A winger with solid skating and, at times, strong offensive instincts, there are talent watchers out there who feel this guy is ready to be a top 40 pick this summer. He’s scored plenty at the U20 level (45 points in 35 total games) and got into 8 games of Liiga play. He’s got good size and roll with the punches. We’ll be watching closely and hoping he shows us his best side, especially when the going gets tough.

Aron Kiviharju (D)

Kiviharju was all the rage this time last year. A double underager, the hockey world got to see a little tyke gaining tons of attention as a top 4 defenseman and getting all sorts of minutes for a medal contender. Fast forward to this spring and his status has cooled off. But is that fair? He still got into 21 Liiga games and his 20 points in 22 U20 games is nothing to frown upon. And we are still talking about a slightly undersized player who won’t be 18 until January. We feel there’s no reason he won’t be a major factor for Finland gaining just as many minutes, if not more, than he did last spring. He should be clipping at over a PPG pace this upcoming week.

Jesse Nurmi (F)

Another recognizable name, Nurmi was a dominant point producer in the U20 league this winter, finishing 6th overall in scoring only to get shut down come playoff time. It still earned him 9 games of Liiga action. Of very average size for his age, there are some really nice offensive attributes in this player, who can still be pushed off the puck too often for our taste. It’s a vanilla group Finland is sending to the Worlds and they’ll be looking for unexpected contributors, so there’s no time like the present for Nurmi to show the scouting community what he’s really made of.

Latvia

The Latvians are always a tough out. The little engine that could seems to continually be a thorn in the side of some unlucky opponent that needs to get by them with an “easy win” in the preliminary round. And then it doesn’t happen. In recent years, the nation has profited from there being no relegation. That circumstance ends now. The small nation has to enter preliminary round play with the intention of avoiding the relegation round. Fortunately, with newcomer Norway in the group, that task would appear to have become a whole lot more possible. Some strong outings before the tournament, including a 5-4 victory over Germany, should have the Latvians revved up for a tournament in which 3rd place in Division 2 is very possible with a couple of victories at the right time.

Top Players to Watch

Peteris Bulans (D)

A returnee from last spring’s event, Bulans is coming off his first season in North America with primarily Chicoutimi of the QMJHL, where he was a pleasant surprise with 18 points in 29 regular season games followed by 6-point outburst in five playoff games. In essence, a rarity for a Latvian player that has the recently turned 18-year-old forcing people to take note. He’ll now be a key to a blueline that features several players who spent the season in Finland, Sweden, or Switzerland and several who played pro in the Latvian entries to the Estonian league. He’ll be given top minutes in this tournament.

Harijs Cjunskis (D)

Not a team in the tournament comes close to fielding this many 16-year-olds, much less with four on the blueline, but we feel it’s pertinent to mention the 6’1”, 180-pound Cjunskis because he spent this winter playing in Switzerland. In fact, he did some heavy hitting in the U17 circuit to the tune of 10 goals and 30 points in 44 total games for Lugano, a team he captained. There’ll be special meaning to him for this tournament, even if much of the competition has been playing at a higher level this winter. Expect him to prove competent and ready for the challenge in wrapping up his DY-1 season.

Kristofers Krumins (F)

Committed to the University of Vermont as of the 24-25 season, Krumins has been playing in North America for several years and measures in at 6’2”, 198 pounds. He’ll need to be doing some heavy lifting at this tournament and is actually one of the team’s older players, having turned 18 in March. His season was a bit short, but he put up 21 goals in 24 total games for the Jersey Hitmen, so look for this program to put him in a position to shoot.

Eriks Mateiko (F)

Like Bulans, a returnee from last year’s event and a fellow QMJHLer, the 6’4”, 200-pound Mateiko is going to be a hard boy to contain at this tournament. Production to the tune of 16 goals and 36 points as a first year CHL rookie is nothing to bat an eyelash at and the Latvians will need him to be a key provider of pressure up front, at least in the games where it matters most. He’ll be a noticeable figure on the ice and will surely keep opponents on their toes while opening up avenues for fellow skill players.

Nils Maurins (G)

Whereas a number of talented Latvians have been making their way to Swedish juniors in recent years, rarely has it been a goalie who has gained notoriety in being an impact player for a U18, much less U20 club. However, Maurins was downright dominant for Södertälje’s U18 team this season going 18-3 with a 1.56 GAA and .932 save percentage. He’s also 6’3” and whereas that is a delightful sight for any goaltender, it becomes even more daunting when you see that Maurins just turned 16 last September, meaning there’s a lot of growth for a young man who could be a hot topic come the 2024 NHL draft. For now, we’d like to see what his tools and experience in Sweden can mean at a tournament of this magnitude and really hope the team is invested in going with him, despite the fact that Leonard Feldsbergs - who missed the entire season - returns after having been last spring’s starter.

Switzerland

We look at this squad after its non-descript showing last spring and see the potential of finishing anywhere from 2nd to 5th in its division. On paper, there’s plenty to like, especially in comparison to Latvia and Norway. Nonetheless, a lot is going to have to go right in order for this team to do anything but make a quarterfinals exit, which would be a shame for the program in light of being the tournament’s host. Coach Marcel Jenni will surely be hoping that home ice advantage leads to as much fan support as was seen in Zug in 2015, when a Denis Malgin-led squad battled its way to play for a medal. Truth be told, we don’t see any Margins or Jonas Siegenthalers on this year’s club, so we’re expecting an uphill battle where much depends on the team’s outcomes against Latvia and Norway.

Top Players to Watch

Léo Braillard (F)

Entering the season on fire for Biel-Bienne’s U20 outfit with 15 goals and 19 points in 16 games, we felt he was Switzerland’s top candidate for this summer’s draft. He’ll now be ranked with North Americans with respect to the draft after making a late fall jump to Shawinigan of the QMJHL where his eight goals and 22 points in 41 games served as a decent introduction but cooled down his overall prospect status. Nonetheless, he’ll be counted on as a go-to player at this tournament and will need to find some offense if Switzerland is going to get much done. We’d love to see him do so, because up to now it’s looking like he could find himself in the prospect anonymity that landsmen Lorenzo Canonica and Attilio Biasca have been mired in.

Christian Kirsch (G)

There’s no telling who coach Jenni is going to have in net on any given gameday at this tournament, but after a fantastically dominant performance for Zug’s U17 and U20 programs this winter, we’re hoping (and believing) that this 6’4” 16-year-old will be getting the nod in goal for any game that truly matters. A commit to UMASS as of the 26-27 season, Kirsch has some attributes that make us think he could end up being the next true goaltender of note to come out of Switzerland. Admittedly, it’s been a while. For this tournament, Ewan Huet may be his biggest combatant for ice time. If that name is familiar, it should be, as he’s former NHL Christobal Huet’s son.

Simon Meier (F)

Perhaps the team’s best pure playmaker, Meier will be found in a top six role, perhaps next to his partner in crime - and twin brother - Rafael, with whom he was an offensive force at the U20 level for Kloten’s junior team. Free of pro experience to date, the soon-to-be 18-year-old (no relation to teammate Endo) has shown some cerebral tendencies in his game and is currently seen as a bit of a longshot to be drafted this summer, which he is surely aware of. We’re thinking that that plus being part of the host nation will allow us to see his chocolate side at this tournament.

Erik Schneller (D)

One of the few players on this squad who spent his winter on foreign soil, Schneller plied his trade for Rögle BK this winter, where his 21 games of U18 play coupled with the trust installed to see him get into 18 games with the U20 team. A mobile player who seems to pride himself more in a strong +/- than goal he could score, you can expect to see Schneller in a top 4 role with his ice time increasing whenever Switzerland has something to protect.

Daniil Ustinkov (D)

A beautiful aspect of the U18 Worlds is that we almost always get to see a handful of 16-year-olds in their DY-1 seasons. First turning 17 in August, the 6-foot, 183 pound Ustinkov is coming off a full season of U20 play for Zurich’s partner club, the GCK Lions. His play was so impressive that he not only got into two SL (second league) games, but also five NL games for Zurich. All in all, Ustinkov showed a lot of promise and poise although there was little in the line of offensive output. That hasn’t stopped coach Jenni from having Ustinkov on the power play in U18 test game action. Time to sit back and enjoy a young man who could be a very hot topic at this time next year.

Lenn Zehnder (F)

The mid-sized left winger is probably the single-most noteworthy jumper-upper when it comes to his appearing on the draft scene. There was little indication (for or against) of him being among notable Swiss players at this tournament, but he’s had a monster winter in the nation’s U20 league as primarily a 17-year-old (turned 18 one month ago), finishing 10th overall in scoring with 48 points in 47 games. Not a player in the league who finished ahead of him in scoring was any less than six months his elder, most already over 19. He’s primed for a top line role and has scored to the tune of 5 points in 8 U18 games over the course of the winter. Expect him to make an impression over the next 10 days.

Norway

The most important thing you need to know about Norway’s entry in this tournament is that there is one Norwegian forward in particular who the entire scouting community was just licking its chops to see. His name is Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and well, ladies and gentlemen, you won’t be seeing him. He’ll be missing this event after having undergone season-ending surgery at the conclusion of his junior season with the Mora IK program. Clearly, this is a severe blow to Norway’s aspirations to maintain the class, a goal that was in jeopardy even with his participation. After a fairly strong wave of Norwegians who got the nation into the top group had graduated, the Norse selection is one consisting of three forwards who play their junior hockey in Sweden, a goalie who is active in North America, three players who spent the bulk of the season in Norway’s pro circuit, and then a group of young men who took their shifts in Norway’s U20 league. The only goal here can be class retention and that will almost surely require a relegation round battle.

Top Players to Watch

Felix Granath (F)

A true little tyke at 5’9” and 150 pounds, the trickster should be the guy up front for Norway who surprises us all with a nifty little deke and pass. He was part of the club that gained promotion last spring as an underager and is coming his second of junior play in Sweden, where his 28 points in 21 eye-opening U18 games parlayed into 9 points in 32 U20 league games with Frölunda’s junior program. A notable player on a team void of notable players.

Ludwig Lafton (D)

Having just turned 17 in January, Lafton is already 6 feet tall and had a very busy winter scoring at an above-average pace at Norway’s U20 level while crushing it in the nation’s top U18 league. He also slotted in 13 games with the club’s top league pro team, including two playoff games, collecting 3 assists along the way. There’s a possibility he may be headed to Sweden next season, but for now he’ll need to be a minute muncher for Norway at a tournament where one preliminary round win would be a humongous success for the Group A newbie.

Alieu Moldal Bah (F)

Coming off his second season with the Brynäs program in Sweden, where he got into 18 U20 league games after an above-average offensive showing in the club’s U18 team, Moldal Bah is one of the few players on the squad eclipsing the 180-pound mark and brings among the best experience of anyone on the team. More of a playmaker than goalscorer, there’s work to be done in the skating department, but he’ll be spoonfed top 6 duties at this event. If there’s any success enjoyed at this tournament, it's hard to see it happening without Modal Bah’s contributions.

Elias Straume Vatne (F)

Another little fella at 5’8”, 152 lbs., Straume Vatne will celebrate his 17th birthday on the first day of tourney play for Norway. Like Granath, he’s playing his club hockey in Sweden and was a go-to scorer on Färjestad’s U18 team but played only one game for the U20 team. That after he spent the entire season prior playing (and scoring) for Stavanger’s U20 squad in Norway. With Michael Nygard out of the picture, the onus of scoring when it counts most is falling into very few laps, with Vatne’s being one of them.

Stian Solberg (D)

First eligible for the 2024 draft, Solberg just turned 17 on December 29th and is the best Norwegian defensive prospect the team has had since, well, maybe ever. Already 6’1” and 194 pounds, he should be logging insane minutes throughout this tournament. Nonetheless, this past season saw him miss a huge chunk of time due to injury and has cost him a good bit of developmental time. Just 3 U20 games (5 points) were accompanied by 18 contests with Norwegian champ Stavanger (5 points and +5), albeit he didn’t see any playoff action. We don’t know where he’ll be next season. We only know that there has been talk of him having first round drafting possibilities, so he’s going to need to be somewhere more competitive than Norway next season. For now, we can enjoy him being Norway’s go-to guy at the U18 Worlds.

PROSPECTS: 2022-23 SEASON PREVIEW – One Drafted and One Draft Eligible Prospect from Each Scouting Region

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 13:39:38 +0000

The 2023 scouting season is upon us! As we head into a new draft season, we, at McKeen’s Hockey, have made a few changes to our roster of writers and scouts. This piece serves as an opportunity to not only meet the team, but also preview some of the players to watch across the globe this hockey season. We asked our staff to give us one draft eligible player and one already drafted player from their region to keep a close eye on.

Director of Scouting/Ontario Region - Brock Otten

https://twitter.com/BrockOtten

2023 Player to Watch: Beau Akey, D, Barrie Colts

"Akey is a highly mobile two-way defender with the Colts who will likely take on a top four role on a strong Barrie team this year. He would have likely been on the Canadian Hlinka team this summer had he not picked up an injury at the beginning of camp. Akey is a preseason regional favourite of mine and after a strong preseason performance, he looks poised to be a steady riser over the season."

Already Drafted to Watch: Ben Gaudreau, G, Sarnia Sting

The San Jose Sharks draft pick heads into the OHL season as my preseason favourite to be the OHL's top netminder (Jim Rutherford award) this year. He doesn't have an NHL contract yet and is playing for one this season, but I fully expect him to earn one. The athletic Gaudreau should also be the starting netminder for Canada at the WJC's this year.

Benjamin Gaudreau of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Assistant Director of Scouting/Western Canada Region - Derek Neumeier

https://twitter.com/Derek_N_NHL

2023 Player to Watch: Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars

The Cougars haven't had a winning season since 2016-17, but they also haven't had a prospect as good as Heidt to help turn that tide until now. His hockey sense and puck skills are high-end, and he has the right mental makeup to handle the pressure that will be placed upon him as his team's number one center and best player.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Logan Stankoven, C, Kamloops Blazers

The reigning WHL Player of the Year has already accomplished a lot (including winning World Juniors gold) but will have a new challenge this season: leading his Blazers team as they host the 2023 Memorial Cup. It barely seems possible that Stankoven could be more dynamic or terrorizing offensively, but he always finds a way to surpass expectations.

Western Canada Region - Arlo Schulz

2023 Player to Watch: Andrew Cristall, F, Kelowna Rockets

"Cristall begins this season under the radar as all eyes are on Connor Bedard in the WHL this year, but that won't last long. Cristall had a terrific rookie season last year and with the young Rockets returning almost their entire roster, they won't need time to gel and Cristall could explode out of the gate. He possesses elite offensive instincts, a slick set of hands, and is constantly creating something out of nothing in the offensive zone. He lacks explosiveness but focused on his skating during the offseason and showed well at the Hlinka in August. He projects as a 1st-rounder and could shoot up draft boards as the year progresses."

Already Drafted to Watch: Mats Lindgren, D, Red Deer Rebels

"Lindgren is a beautiful skater who was projected to go in the top two rounds last draft but slipped to the 4th round (Sabres) amid concerns about his inconsistency and offensive upside. An effortless mover who can carry the puck with ease and distribute well, Lindgren was one of the youngest players in his draft class and could take a massive step forward in his D+1 season. He requested a trade and was dealt to the Rebels, where he will assume greater responsibilities and play in all situations. His skillset is tailor-made for the modern game, as a mobile defenseman with terrific instincts. It will be fascinating to watch if the rest of his game catches up to his potential this year."

Sweden Region - Jacob Smeds

https://twitter.com/Scouting_Jacob

2023 Player to Watch: Kalle Carlsson, C, Örebro HK

Kalle Carlsson is a potential riser throughout the season. He is a playmaker who creates space for his teammates with his strong skating and high hockey IQ. In the same way that his hockey sense allows him to thrive offensively, he can also play defense efficiently thanks to his smartness.

Already Drafted to Watch: Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Djurgårdens IF

Lekkerimäki is a pure goal scorer with tremendous offensive instincts. In the offensive zone, he works hard off the puck to create space to shoot. He also brings the puck to the net to challenge goalies in tight using his soft hands. Lekkerimäki is looking to establish himself at the pro level in the Swedish second tier league this winter and his preseason bears the promise of a smooth transition from the junior leagues.

211021 Djurgårdens Jonathan Lekkerimäki under ishockeymatchen i SHL mellan Djurgården och Oskarshamn den 21 oktober 2021 i Stockholm.
Foto: Andreas L Eriksson / BILDBYRÅN / COP 106 / AE0062

Eastern Canada Region - Éloi Biondo

https://twitter.com/eloi632211

2023 Player to Watch: Etienne Morin, D, Moncton Wildcats

Etienne Morin is a mobile two-way defenseman who can move the puck up the ice very effectively and make plays in the offensive zone. He averaged 21 minutes a game last year as a rookie blue-liner for the Wildcats and tallied an impressive 34 points in 70 games. Morin could’ve probably played at the most recent Hlinka-Gretzky cup tournament, but Team Canada probably preferred a more steady and physical option on their blue line— something that Morin will have to work on this upcoming season.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Jordan Dumais, RW, Halifax Mooseheads

Dumais was one of the most polarizing prospects for the most recent NHL Draft. The undersized winger has been scoring at historic rates in the QMJHL and is poised for another big year with the Moose. Such numbers and offensive abilities would usually guarantee you of a high-end draft pick. However, Dumais’ skating and physical tools are just not what you want in an NHL prospect, which made him a third-round selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets, instead of a higher selection. It will definitely be very interesting to see how he progresses this upcoming season.

Western Canada Region - Adam Tate

https://twitter.com/ADTate39

2023 Draft Eligible Player to Watch: Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars

Having led the Cougars in scoring last season, Riley Heidt will be looked upon to be the “do everything” centre for the team again this year. Coming off a strong showing in this past summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, I’m looking forward to seeing if he can solidify a middle of the 1st round draft ranking.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current Broncos

The first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in last year’s NHL draft, Owen Pickering is looking to improve his raw talents in Swift Current this season. If his skating and offense can start to catch up to his size and transitional skills, he could very well secure a spot on Canada’s WJC roster this year.

Russia Region - Viktor Fomich

https://twitter.com/RUSProspects

2023 Player to Watch: Roman Kantserov, W, Stalnie Lisy Magnitogorsk, MHL

Roman Kantserov is a winger whose every movement is just oozing attacking skill. He might not always be showing that on a consistent basis, but when he is on his game he is definitely as electrifying to watch as the top Russian guys like Matvei Michkov or Mikhail Gulyayev. He still should be evaluated more closely to find out what outweighs here: skill or inconsistency.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Nikolai Kovalenko, W, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, KHL

For Colorado Avalanche wing prospect Nikolai Kovalenko, last season was one to forget due to a heavy concussion that left a question mark on his NHL upside. After an amazing start to this KHL season, he suffered another concussion. Even though he is back now, we have the same questions about his health and ability to reach the NHL level in two years (when his KHL contract is up). This season should provide some answers though.

Director of Video Scouting - Will Scouch

https://twitter.com/Scouching

2023 Player to Watch: Caden Price, D, Kelowna Rockets

After a strong Hlinka camp and tournament performance logging tons of minutes, Price is exactly the defender I'm looking for. Mobile, quick, skilled, jumps into offensive situations, deceptive with the puck and a reliance on his feet to do a lot of defensive work. There's creativity in spades to execute plays well, and his youth in this draft class combined with his current ability are tantalizing to consider. He's been ranked in late first rounds at times but I get the feeling that keen-eyed observers will come around a little more.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Simon Robertsson, W, Skellefteå AIK

I've been a big believer in Robertsson and believe that patience will be rewarded with more development in Sweden. A slow start in the SHL gave way for a relatively strong finish in very limited minutes, but Robertsson's shot, evasive skill, and improving straight line speed could make him a more threatening SHL scorer this season. There may be better players out there right now developing, but Robertsson's offensive upside is hard to ignore and still has plenty of time to emerge against men.

Video Scout - Zack Szweras

https://twitter.com/Zack_Szweras

2023 Player to Watch: Otto Stenberg, W, Frölunda, SHL

Stenberg is an exciting offensive winger, with plenty of creativity as both a playmaker and scorer. Stenberg captained team Sweden to a silver medal recently in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He also led the team in scoring. After a strong tournament, Stenberg has a good chance to increase his draft stock with his flashy and crafty play.

Already Drafted Player: Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgardens IF, SHL

Ostlund, the 16th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft, is poised for a larger role at the pro level. Ostlund will split time between the J20 and HockeyAllsvenskan for Djurgårdens IF. He produced over a point per game in the J20 last season but will be looking to achieve that playing against men. Ostlund is a strong playmaking centre, who will have a chance to crack Sweden’s World Junior roster in December too.

Djurgården's Noah Östlund celebrates after 1-2 during the final in the Junior SM for J20 between Djurgården and Linköping on April 10, 2022 in Nyköping.
Photo: Tobias Sterner / BILDBYRÅN /

Central Europe Region - Chapin Landvogt

https://twitter.com/Csomichapin

GERMANY

2023 Player to Watch: Linus Brandl, F, Mannheim Jungadler (DNL)

In a season where not a single name stands out as a surefire draft pick next summer, the 6-foot Brandl has followed up a somewhat eye-opening, yet unassuming Gretzky Hlinka Cup (2-3-5 in 4 games) by kicking off the DNL season with 5-5-10 in 6 games. Brandl won't stick out with any specific tool, but he simply never fails to produce. He just "gets it" when it comes to generating offense with what he has. Pro play is in the cards this season.

Already Drafted to Watch: Dominik Bokk, RW, Frankfurt Lions

The DEL's new team has brought in a big fish in Dominik Bokk, who already concluded last season (minimally) helping Berlin grab the league title. Growing long in the prospect tooth and clearly not looking like a player in Carolina's plans, the 22-year-old has kicked off things with a bang, going 4-3-7 with a +4 in his first 4 games of the season.

SWITZERLAND

2023 Player to Watch: Leo Braillard, F, Biel-Bienne U20

Playing together with skilled overager Mattheo Reinhard, Braillard has put up 7-3-10 numbers in 6 U20 games thus far. Already having represented Switzerland at every level between U16-U18, he has been a constant producer for his club, having captained the U17 outfit last season for which he put up 62 points in 30 games. A U18 Worlds appearance at home next spring is a given after his 4-1-5 output at the Gretzky Hlinka Cup this summer.

Already Drafted to Watch: Simon Knak, RW, HC Davos

After being drafted as an overager, Knak went from being a productive winger for the Portland Winterhawks to chugging away in the pro ranks as a 19-year-old to the tune of 15 points in 51 games. A multi-year captain of the U20 team, Knak is back at it for Davos this season and has a 1-1-2 statline in 4 NL games this year. More importantly, he's playing a line higher than last year, averaging just over 14 minutes a night.

Ontario Region - Dylan Krill

https://twitter.com/dylan_krill

2023 Player to Watch: Cam Allen, D, Guelph Storm

Allen is a high-end two-way defenseman who looked like a veteran in his rookie year. After a strong Hlinka tournament where he served as captain for team Canada, Allen will look to have a big season with Guelph, establishing himself as the premier defenseman of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: David Goyette, C, Sudbury Wolves

The 61st overall selection by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 draft, David Goyette was my favourite player last year because of his blend of high-end creativity and puck skills with elite skating. After finishing with the most points by a rookie, he will look to have another big season on an improved Sudbury team.

David Goyette of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Robert Lefebvre /OHL Images.

Slovak and Czech Region - Matej Deraj

https://twitter.com/MatoDeraj

2023 Player to Watch: Ondrej Molnár, W, HK Nitra

Molnár is an electric winger who has nifty hands, good hockey sense and a dangerous shot, although he’s more of a playmaker. His biggest asset is his skating; he’s quick, agile and his acceleration is at the top level. The main room for improvement is in his defensive game and awareness. Overall, an intriguing player to watch who’s dangerous every time he steps on the ice.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Adam Sýkora, W/C, HK Nitra

Sýkora has gained a lot of confidence since last year. The second-round pick of the 2022 draft had impressed everybody with his tremendous worth ethic and compete level, but the expectations are now higher for the Rangers prospect. I believe Sýkora will use his speed and skills to improve his last year’s point record and earn a call-up to the Men’s National Team.

Eastern Canada Region - Charles Lassonde

https://twitter.com/cl_hockeyscout

2023 Player to Watch: Mathieu Cataford, RW, Halifax Mooseheads

Cataford has been outstanding since the second half of the last season with Halifax. He elevated his game to a higher standard and had a strong showing in the playoffs. Despite a quiet Hlinka-Gretzky tournament, I really think that everything is set for Cataford to establish himself as a 1st round pick or at least a second-round selection in the 2023 NHL draft. His skating remains the weakness in his game, but his skill level, intensity, hockey sense and responsible 200-feet game style will quickly erase the doubts of the scouts in Cataford’s game

Already Drafted to Watch: Tristan Luneau, RD, Gatineau Olympiques

The Anaheim Ducks 2nd round pick has already been sent back to Gatineau after getting two points (1 goal and 1 assist) in his only exhibition game with the Ducks. Despite dealing with injuries in the 2020-21 season, Luneau surely didn’t show the best of himself last year. Knowing him from the M18AAA in Quebec, I’m sure that he’ll be in a better shape and ready to bring his game to the level he knows it can be.

AHL Coverage - Josh Bell

https://twitter.com/JoshuaBell31

Already Drafted to Watch: Yaroslav Askarov, G, Milwaukee Admirals (AHL)

The Nashville Predators 11th overall draft pick in 2020 is finally making the trip overseas, joining the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals as he adjusts to the North American game. Touted as the next Carey Price in his draft year, the Russian netminder will likely be sharing the crease with another strong goaltending prospect in Connor Ingram, but Askarov will get his share of starts and is one injury or hot streak away from taking over the starting reins.

Already Drafted to Watch: Jiri Kulich, C, Rochester Americans (AHL)

One of my favourite prospects in the 2022 NHL Draft, Kulich is entering his first professional season in North America. He had a remarkable 2021-22 campaign, leading all rookies in points in the top-Czech men’s league before captaining the Czechs in the World Under-18s, leading the tournament in goals and being named MVP. Plus, he finished over a point-per-game at the U20s. I’m excited to see how he adjusts in the AHL.

U.S. Region - Ethan Hetu

https://twitter.com/EthanHetu

2023 Player to Watch: William Whitelaw, C/RW, Youngstown Phantoms

The University of Wisconsin commit starred last year at Shattuck St. Mary’s alongside top 2024 prospect Macklin Celebrini and now will play his draft season as “the guy” for the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. Whitelaw is a creative playmaker and an aggressive, pace-pushing offensive generator. Whitelaw has said that he’d like to improve his defensive game and become the most well-rounded player of the 2023 class, so it’ll be intriguing to see how he evolves as he strives to commit more to the 200-foot game.

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Lane Hutson, D, Boston University

Concerns about how Lane Hutson’s size (he is listed at five-foot-nine, 155 pounds) would limit his game’s translatability to more difficult levels of hockey caused the dynamic blueliner to have to wait until the 62nd pick of the 2022 draft to hear his name called. A more difficult level of hockey has now arrived for Hutson, who at Boston University will look to continue to break the mold of what the modern NHL defenseman “should” look like.

Lane Hutson

Russia Region - Dmitri Blokhin

https://twitter.com/DVBlokhin

2023 Player to Watch: Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Omsk Yastreby VHL

Gulyayev shines bright and stands out among Russian draft eligibles because of his hockey IQ. He is really great with the puck in the offensive zone and he’s also very confident and reliable in the defensive end. He has a high skill level, playmaking and quarter-backing ability, and character. He started this season with VHL team Omskiye Krylia and already played several games with Avangard KHL. The expectations are high for him.

Already Drafted to Watch: Alexander Perevalov, F, Kunlun Red Star KHL

Selected in the 3rd round of the 2022 draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, Perevalov has high expectations due to his talent level. His last season was a controversial one with his play being inconsistent and his character being questionable. Nevertheless, he gets a trade from CSKA system in the new season and finds himself with the Kunlun Red Star KHL team. He's already showing more confidence, and in a recent game against CSKA he scored 2 goals and was successful in the game winning penalty shot. If his growth is consistent, he'll be able to develop his talent to 100% and play in the NHL after his current contract expires.

Eastern Canada Region - Benoit Belanger

https://twitter.com/BenoitGBelanger

2023 Player to Watch: Miguel Tourigny, D, Shawinigan Cataractes

At just 16, he turned heads with a stellar performance in the President's Cup Championship and Memorial Cup. His calm play, his intelligence, his maturity, combined with his skills, make him a player with great potential. He did very well during the U18 Hlinka-Gretzky tournament. Very good across 200 feet, very good hockey sense, with good passing and skating skills. He is a player to watch.

Already Drafted to Watch: Angus Booth, D, Shawinigan Cataractes

After an emotional and experience-filled season, including a President's Cup and a Memorial Cup appearance, Booth saw that memorable season come to a close with his 4th round selection by the Los Angeles Kings. It will be a totally different situation for him this year, with a team starting a junior cycle again. But it will be interesting to follow how he will react to this challenge and if he will be able to take his level of play to another level. I'm curious to see the full extent of his intelligence being passed on to his younger teammates.

Finland Region - Mikko Kuikka

https://twitter.com/mijukui83

2023 Player to Watch: Arttu Karki, D, Tappara U20 SM

“Karki is a very mobile defenseman with good shooting skills. Overall, he is a puck moving defenseman with good size (187cm) and good skating. At the moment, Karki is a 2nd/3rd-round talent, but if he has another great year, he could climb higher.”

Already Drafted Player to Watch: Joakim Kemell, W, Jyp

“Kemell is a strong shooter who can also create his own chances. Drafted by Nashville Predators 2022 Draft as a first-round pick, he is playing this season at Jyp Jyvaskyla (Finnish liiga) as a loan player from Nashville Predators. I hope he makes this an injury free season that will show his real potential playing at the men's level.”