Mathis Rousseau – McKeen's Hockey

2024 NHL DRAFT: RE-ENTRY CANDIDATES – CANADA

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:13:16 +0000

In a normal year, scouting hockey is marred by imperfection. Every year high end players get skipped over at the NHL draft for various reasons. Maybe they suffered through injuries. Maybe their team struggled, and it prevented scouts from getting a good read on them. Maybe their team was too good, forcing them down the depth chart with limited minutes and exposure opportunities. Or...maybe they just were not good enough. But thankfully human development is nonlinear and therefore unpredictable. Teenage hockey players are far from a finished product on the ice as their games mature just as the rest of their body and mind does. That is why it is critical to track players as they move through their second and third years of draft eligibility (or fourth years of eligibility for some European players).

For those unfamiliar, North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. In the last decade, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Calgary Flames standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. Ottawa Senators standout forward Drake Batherson was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck. Pyotr Kochetkov, one of the top young netminders in the NHL was also one.

Last year, eight “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 110; Adam Gajan, Yegor Sidorov, Vadim Moroz, Florian Xhekaj, Cole Knuble, Patrick Thomas, Ty Mueller, and Bogdan Konyushkov. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1): (Part 2): (Part 3): We wrote about five of those eight. In total there were 40 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 40, we identified and wrote about 28 (well over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2024, we have some very interesting candidates. Maybe not at the level of Adam Gajan, who was nearly a first-round pick, but there are definitely a few players who could…and should go inside the Top 100. Finland’s Jesse Pulkkinen seems like the top candidate to go first among this group and has had a terrific year offensively. Tri-City netminder Lukas Matecha has been terrific in the WHL as an Import and played in this year’s CHL Top Prospect’s Game. North Bay’s Anthony Romani has been among the leaders in OHL scoring all season. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

This is part one of the series, putting the spotlight on those re-entries available from Canadian leagues.

WHL

Harrison Meneghin. Photo by Erica Perreault

Ondrej Becher - Center - Prince George Cougars

The long-suffering Cougars have finally blossomed into one of the best teams in the WHL, and Becher has been an integral part of that success. He doesn’t draw as much attention as some of his teammates, such as superstar forward Riley Heidt or the 50-goal-scoring Zac Funk, but when you watch the club closely you can see all the different places that their second-year Czech center leaves his fingerprints. His scoring totals hint at his contributions, with 71 points in 48 games at the time of this writing, yet the blue-collar work he does is almost just as impressive, as he takes a lot of important faceoffs, he kills a lot of penalties, and he handles a lot of difficult assignments. None of his individual traits are especially notable, grading out from average to good across the board, but they blend together well and create an overall package that is intriguing and could become very valuable one day. NHLer Alex Killorn was never one of the top stars on the Tampa Bay Lightning during his time there, but he was still an important piece of the puzzle and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final four times, winning it all twice. That’s obviously a lofty comparison for Becher, but it’s a realistic idea of what the best-case-scenario for him and his skillset could look like down the road. (Derek Neumeier)

Kenta Isogai - Wing - Wenatchee Wild

Isogai is currently in his first year in the WHL, and it's quite remarkable just how easily and dramatically he adjusted to the league after departing the USHL-champion Youngstown Phantoms. The Japanese born-and-raised winger also played a season in Europe before heading to the United States, so he's no stranger to changing environments, but absolutely nobody expected him to immediately emerge as one of the best offensive weapons in The Dub. He is a superb play driver, with magnetic puck control, sharp vision, and an abundance of shiftiness and creativity. In other words, he's the type of player who can create chances out of nothing, for both himself and for his teammates. He also deserves a lot of credit for his moxie, as he's an eager penalty killer and someone who consistently works hard and competes hard. There are some drawbacks with his stature and skating ability, and his free-flowing style is significantly harder to play at the NHL level, but there's a lot of raw potential here that could be refined with the right hands-on development. (Derek Neumeier)

Quinn Mantei - Defense - Brandon Wheat Kings

Mantei is an excellent skater, which was evident of him last year as well. The problem was that he often had trouble figuring out how to use that strong trait to make a positive impact. That is slowly starting to change now, though, which is putting him back in the focus of scouts. He's much more assertive on breakouts, and he accelerates so quickly that he can be hard for forecheckers to pin down. It’s not uncommon to see him carry the puck through all three zones, or at least pass the puck out for an exit but then quickly jump into transition as a support option. He is also finding or forcing far more offensive opportunities from the attack blueline using his feet, which can really dance and open things up. His role is a little more defined and consistent this year on the young Wheat Kings roster, playing as the primary puck mover on his pairing alongside the more shutdown-oriented Charlie Elick, which is probably helping him a lot. He still doesn't project as someone who will ever put up a lot of points, but there is always value in the modern NHL for blueliners who can efficiently transition the puck at even strength. (Derek Neumeier)

Lukas Matecha - Goaltender - Tri-City Americans

Matecha's first season with Tri-City has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with some games where he looks like he might be the single best goalie to come out of this draft, but then some others where he looks like he'd never be able to even sniff the NHL. Those highs make him a goalie that scouts want to watch a lot, but the lows make that process frequently frustrating. The Czech import stands at a towering 6-foot-4 and has long legs and an enormous wingspan, all of which help him blot out patches of netting behind him. When he gets his pads extended along the ice there’s often no way to slide the puck around them, only over them, and he’s flexible enough to routinely get the extension that he needs. He’s above average with his play-tracking and ability to see pucks through traffic, and can usually turn aside volleys of second and third chances without getting too out of sorts in his crease. His size, however, can work against him, as his movements are sometimes awkward and clunky, and he can be slow to tighten up his form and close down his holes. While there are some truly fantastic tools in his arsenal, there’s still a mountain of work that needs to be done before he could be successful in the NHL. He’s undoubtedly a worthy project to take on, but how high he’ll get picked will depend on how confident a team’s goalie staffers feel about how much they can work with him. (Derek Neumeier)

Harrison Meneghin - Goaltender - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Meneghin turned a few heads early last season with the Hurricanes, putting up some stellar performances as the team’s interim starter in place of the injured Bryan Thomson. However, his candle burned bright but flickered out quickly, as his performance started to sputter and then never quite recovered, especially after he eventually slid back into a backup role. This season he’s been the de facto starter for Lethbridge since opening night, and with the help of more experience and a defined role he’s really learned how to thrive. He checks off almost all of the main boxes for what you want in a goalie, including size, quickness, athleticism, endurance and consistency. His team lacks star power and has needed to dig in and grind to earn their points, and he’s done that with them admirably, even outright stealing a number of wins. NHL teams will need to be a little careful in scouting him, as he’s still yet to be tested in big games and his overall book of work is still very short, but the tools he possesses and the sprawling progress he’s made over the past two years cannot be ignored. If an organization would have selected him in his first year of eligibility in 2022, even as high as the 3rd or 4th round, they’d likely be thrilled right now with how that pick is looking. (Derek Neumeier)

Nate Misskey - Defense - Victoria Royals

It's a real shame that Misskey hasn't played since January 9 due to injury, because up until that point he had been steadily emerging as one of the best defensemen in the entire WHL. He's a big, smooth, right-shooting defender who reads the play well in front of him, moves pucks cleanly, and possesses a ton of poise. He's the type of player who always seems to be comfortable and in control of what's happening around him, regardless of the situation, while also being able to come through with the occasional big play at an important time. His wrist shot from the point is also a serious weapon, whether he’s shooting to score or shooting for a deflection. His overall play style is a little peculiar, as he’s not very physical for his size and is more of an east-west skater as opposed to north-south, but you can’t deny that he makes it all work for him. The rebuilding Royals are giving Misskey a lot of ice time and a long leash, and it's been very impressive to watch the huge steps forward that he's been able to take with that opportunity. (Derek Neumeier)

Josh Van Mulligen - Defense - Medicine Hat Tigers

Van Mulligen will never be the type of prospect who generates a lot of fanfare, because he's not very exciting and prefers to keep his play simple and straightforward. That doesn't mean, though, that he's not effective at what he does. Quite the opposite. On a Tigers team that loves to push the pace and create offensively he is their best defensive presence, using his long reach and workable 360-degree mobility to suffocate opposing chances by keeping his gaps tight, directing traffic into the corners, and deflecting shots. When he sticks to his man it's incredibly hard to get around him. There are still a number of things that he will need to focus on improving, including his puck handling, awareness and decision-making. It would also be nice to see him impose his will physically more often than he does. He's quite one-dimensional overall, as he rarely uses his skating to attack offensively and rarely takes risks, but he owns the right mix of tools to potentially become a modern day shutdown specialist one day. Medicine Hat is also emerging as a top team in the WHL, and that environment could help boost his development, especially if they can go on a deep playoff run or two. (Derek Neumeier)

Tyler Thorpe - Wing - Vancouver Giants

Joining the Vancouver Giants part-way through last season, Thorpe took some time to get acclimated to the WHL game, and it showed. For most of the season he seemed to be a step behind on plays and his skating, shooting, and puck skills all needed to improve. His best work on the ice came in the form of being a big-hitting forechecker in the team’s bottom six forward group. A late 2005 birthday, he seems to have grown more into his 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame recently and his game has taken a number of steps forward this season. He’s improved in almost every area, including the three mentioned above. He currently has 23 goals and 44 points but suffered a wrist injury that will keep him out until sometime before the end of the regular season. While most of his goals have come from right in front of the net collecting rebounds and loose pucks, he has displayed a better wrist shot than expected from a player who only scored four goals all of last season. (Adam Tate)

Oliver Tulk - Center - Calgary Hitmen

McKeen’s had Tulk rated as a late-round selection in his first year of eligibility last year and there’s been enough improvement this season to warrant discussion of a possible late-round selection again for the upcoming draft. A point-a-game player for the first time in his WHL career, Tulk has improved in all facets of the game, and leads Calgary in scoring. The areas that seem to have improved most for Tulk are his awareness and positioning. He’s more of a neutral zone pass disrupter this season and it’s leading to controlled zone entries and points. He’s also become more responsible in his own zone and will create takeaways along the boards and against unsuspecting defenders on the blueline. Add these new wrinkles to a motor that never stops and solid skating and you’ve got a player who is hard to play against in all three zones on the ice. The biggest knock against Tulk is his size (5-foot-9) but that’s something that can be overcome due to his high compete level. If a team takes a late round flyer on him and moves him over to the wing, he could be in the mix for a bottom six role as he matures. (Adam Tate)

Borya Valis - Wing - Prince George Cougars

Players in their third year of NHL entry draft eligibility are rarely selected, but Valis might be an exception to the rule this year. A 2004-born forward, Valis started the year with Regina and his season was trending in the right direction. He was traded to Prince George at the very end of 2023, and his scoring has taken off since the trade to the high-powered Cougars. A north-south skater who thrives as a shooter and passer off the rush despite below-average skating, he uses good hockey sense and vision to either find an open teammate or a soft area of coverage to skate into. As such, he has become a point-a-game player for the first time in his three WHL seasons. He’s also shown some defensive responsibility as well, becoming a plus player for the first time in his time in the WHL. While he won’t be a line driver at the pro level, Valis has shown enough ability this year to warrant a late-round selection. (Adam Tate)

Dominik Rymon - Wing - Everett Silvertips

After playing in the Czech U20 league in his draft season and being injured most of last season, it’s easy to see why Rymon has missed his last two opportunities to be drafted. However, this year Rymon has been a force on a surprisingly good Everett Silvertips team, currently sitting at second in team scoring. He also emerged as a key cog for Czechia at the World Juniors. As a D+2 player who stands at only 5-foot-10, Rymon is not typically the most desirable overage prospect for NHL teams to be looking at, but for him, the numbers this season speak for themselves. It’s not only the production as well, as Rymon is a very engaged player who has a skillset that could see him develop into an effective bottom-six player in the NHL. The question with Rymon is will he be able to carve out a role in the AHL next season similar to other prospects his age? His skating remains the key area of his game that needs to be improved in order to be effective at the next level. However, he makes up for that by always moving his feet and playing at a higher pace than the skating ability would suggest. Another area of his game I like is his positioning, which shows he has above-average hockey IQ. He constantly adjusts himself in order to put himself in the best position to receive the puck from his teammates. (Ben Misfeldt)

Eric Jamieson - Defense - Everett Silvertips

Another Everett Silvertip, Jamieson has stepped up as one of the team's top defenders as a D+1 prospect. Instantly, his 6-foot-3 frame is an attractive attribute for teams looking to take a swing on overage defenders in the late rounds. On the defensive side, Jamieson is effective and uses his lengthy reach and stride to keep opponents at bay in transition. In his own zone, he is excellent at being physical in front of the net and boxing out opponents using his size and physicality. The key for Jamieson moving forward is continuing to improve his puck play and to show he can be an effective puck mover in transition at the next level. As of right now, he is a safe, reliable puck-mover but doesn’t flash the quickness in transition that you typically see of modern day NHL defenders. However, he already has a lot of other tools that are going to excite teams, including his above average skating, helped by his long stride that allows him to gain a step on opponents rather easily. (Ben Misfeldt)

Rylan Gould - Wing - Swift Current Broncos

Gould is a smaller, D+1 forward who has drastically improved his overall game from last season. It’s not a stretch to say he went from fringe WHLer last season to impactful top-six forward this year. With Gould, the skating and skill instantly stands out. It makes it hard to believe this was a player who scored just four points all of last season. His trajectory also makes him an interesting draft prospect. While typically overagers have excellent year-over-year progression, very few have progressed to the extent that Gould has. Right away, you can see the soft hands as being a key element to his success this season. Plus, he is an intelligent playmaker who creates offense with his reads and makes plenty of cheeky passes that often lead to scoring chances. What really excites me about Gould is that I feel he is still a very raw prospect at this point with tremendous upside to improve his game over the next few seasons. He is still incredibly new to being an impactful WHLer and has barely had time to figure out how to use his skill effectively. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take his game to further new heights next season. (Ben Misfeldt)

OHL

Anthony Romani of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Anthony Romani - Wing - North Bay Battalion

A top contender for the Red Tilson as the OHL’s best player, Romani has exploded in his draft plus one season, emerging as one of the league’s best offensive players. As part of a terrific first line (along with Dalyn Wakely and Owen Van Steensel), Romani has already doubled his production from last year. Meant to be a compliment, Romani is one of the quietest top scorers in recent memory. By quiet, I mean that he’s not a dynamic showstopper like some of the others competing with Romani for the Red Tilson (David Goyette, Quentin Musty, Denver Barkey, Carson Rehkopf, etc). Romani isn’t the quickest. He’s not the most physical. He’s not someone who dazzles with one-on-one moves or who explodes from end to end. He’s quietly effective because of how well he thinks the game; he’s consistently one step ahead of the competition and the defensive schemes utilized to try to slow him down. His game is predicated by quick touches and by off puck reads. He times his cuts so well and he understands spacing and how to support puck carriers. Armed with a massively improved shot, he gets himself consistent looks in dangerous areas by sliding between coverage. Equal parts playmaker and goal scorer, there’s such an efficiency to his game. Even without above average skating ability or physical tools, it’s easy to see him developing into a middle six support player at the next level. One thing that will need to improve is his defensive and physical play. I believe those components of his game have taken a step back this year in response to how well he’s been playing offensively. Much like Yegor Sidorov last year, I’d be shocked if Romani wasn’t selected inside the first four rounds. (Brock Otten)

Marco Mignosa - Wing - Soo Greyhounds

Mignosa has had a terrific year as an offensive support player for the Greyhounds, taking a nice step forward in a lot of areas that prevented him from being drafted last year. Not unlike Romani, Mignosa’s game is built around his high IQ and processing ability. He’s not a dynamic skater or physical player, but he has great vision in the offensive end and understands how to leverage time and space working the half wall area. Definitely more of a pass first player, Mignosa could eventually be a solid middle six option for an NHL team. Scouts are likely to be impressed by the improvements he’s made this year to his off puck play and overall defensive effort. Now a solid two-way player, Mignosa is valued for his versatility. Is he a lock to be selected? Definitely not. There’s still going to be concern that his lack of physical tools makes him unlikely to play that same kind of two-way, middle six role at the next level (think Austen Keating). However, he’s worth mentioning in this list. (Brock Otten)

Owen Allard - Center - Soo Greyhounds

Despite being a year older and having worse offensive numbers, I’d put Allard at having a much higher chance of being selected this year than teammate Mignosa. Look, the offensive upside is going to be limited. Allard isn’t going to be confused with Connor McDavid any time soon. But he has a lot of desirable tools for the potential role he could play as a bottom six, PK anchor down the middle. The size and quickness combination is impressive. Allard has good hands in tight and knows how to play net front (as shown at this year’s World Juniors). He competes hard in all three zones and brings a consistent level of physicality. The puckhandling and passing ability will need to continue to improve, but the basic foundation of a defensive rock is there. In the cap era, developing players like Allard to be excellent bottom six players is crucial, as the Tampa Bay Lightning have proven. (Brock Otten)

Matt Buckley - Wing - Oshawa Generals

Make no mistake, Buckley is going to be a contender to lead the league in goal scoring by the time he graduates from the OHL (considering he’s a likely OA candidate down the road). His shot and scoring ability is that good. I’d grade his shot among the highest of any player available from the OHL this year. If he got more powerplay time, I think he’d be pushing for 40 goals this year. He one times pucks cleanly and has such a quick release on his wrist shot. Overall, Buckley has been one of the most improved 2005’s in the OHL this season. That said, is he likely to be drafted? It does seem unlikely until other areas of his game take another step. He’s not big. He’s best described as an average skater at the OHL level (let alone the NHL level). His off puck play and decision making with the puck are still developing. He has one plus tool (his shot), with the rest grading out as average to below average. As part of a quality, young, Oshawa team, he’s going to continue to improve and that may be enough to entice someone. (Brock Otten)

Trent Swick - Wing - Kitchener Rangers

Massive winger who is finally healthy this year and it’s had a really positive impact on his development. The 6’6, 210lbs power forward has been one of the OHL’s most improved players this season. The skating has improved a lot and that’s helped him to keep up with the pace of play a lot better this year. Now, he still has a ways to go to be pro ready, but it’s a very positive step to see him improve his quickness and agility. Overall, Swick is a player who has a clear understanding of how to leverage his size advantage at this level. He plays that classic power game. He drives the net. He hangs out near the crease as a screen. He works the wall and keeps his feet moving. He plays physical and works hard in the defensive end too. The puck skill and creativity are fairly limited, but the IQ and vision are good for a player of his ilk. I think it’s more likely that NHL teams wait until his OA year (to see further development) before securing his rights, but his size and production will be intriguing to some teams. (Brock Otten)

Dalyn Wakely - Center - North Bay Battalion

For Wakely, the improvements this year have come from his improved consistency and three zone engagement. A highly talented player coming through minor hockey in Ontario, the knock on Wakely has always been consistency. This year, he’s found a way to find that extra gear to make him one of the OHL’s best pivots this season. A classic, power center, Wakely’s game is all about his strong puck protection skill. He’s very difficult to separate from the puck, especially as he’s driving the middle. He has very soft hands and he’s great at using his edges to manipulate space to keep defenders on his back. The increased physical engagement level this year has really helped to drive his increased production on that great top line, as he’s working hard to earn touches and drive the pace of play for the Battalion. Is he an NHL prospect? I’m not entirely sure. The skating only grades out as average and I wonder about the type of role he could play at the next level where his size and puck protection ability become less of a dominant factor for him. That said, he unquestionably belongs on this list and with a strong OHL playoff performance this year, he could secure a place on someone’s draft board. (Brock Otten)

Owen Van Steensel - Wing - North Bay Battalion

The third member of that terrific top line in North Bay, Van Steensel is the straw that stirs the drink a lot of the time. He’s the best skater of the three; he’s the high energy piece that helps the trio gain the zone or secure possession on the forecheck. He loves to push the pace and he has a positive North/South attacking mindset. If you recall, he was a favourite late round target of mine at the 2022 NHL Draft, but a lack of size and projection prevented him from being selected. With the improvements that he’s made to his offensive game this year, in particular his shot, his puckhandling ability, and his decision making, NHL teams are likely to have taken notice as it has improved his projection as a pro. It’s very conceivable, even without terrific size (at 5’11), that Van Steensel could be a quality third line option at the NHL level playing a similar kind of role. We saw the Edmonton Oilers sign Brady Stonehouse last year after the draft and Van Steensel has a better projection as a pro IMO. (Brock Otten)

Beau Jelsma - Center - Barrie Colts

It seems like it’s only a matter of time before an NHL team secures Jelsma’s rights. He’s just one of those guys who consistently pops off as one of the best players on the ice when you watch Barrie play. The same was said last year when he went unselected. The same can be said this year. He’s small in stature, but he’s stocky and has a strong lower half that drives his strong skating ability and off puck play. He has a lot of the qualities that undersized (5’9) forwards have that do find success at the NHL level; he’s quick, he’s tenacious, he’s skilled, and he’s inside driven. I actually believe that he can stick at center too because of his improved work at the dot and defensive consistency. The one thing going against him this year is Barrie’s disappointing team success with him as an offensive leader. But with some strong draft eligible talent, NHL scouts would have seen Jelsma take the reins on numerous occasions. If he’s not selected, look for Jelsma to have a fantastic overage year and secure an NHL ELC that way. (Brock Otten)

Finn Harding - Defense - Mississauga Steelheads

There’s a lot to like here from this right shot defender who has improved a ton in his draft plus one year. Harding has good size. He has good mobility. He plays a sound game at both ends of the ice and brings a physical element. He’s not a dynamic offensive defender and doesn’t project as a powerplay quarterback at the next level, but he moves the puck quickly and efficiently to help start the breakout. As he learns to trust his feet even more, I would expect the offensive production to increase further. Harding’s bread and butter at the pro level could be his defensive game. We look at how a guy like Jalen Chatfield has worked his way to being an NHL regular with the Hurricanes and Harding has similar qualities to his game that could make him valuable in today’s NHL. (Brock Otten)

Sam Hillebrandt - Goaltender - Barrie Colts

One of the best stories in the OHL this year. Hillebrandt went from playing in Junior C a year ago to being named as the third goalie for team USA at the World Junior Championships this year. Since returning from Sweden, Hillebrandt has been one of the best goalies in the OHL too, even if Barrie has struggled as a team. The 6’1 netminder is fifth in the OHL save percentage as of writing this, but has been even better than that lately. He has quick pads and holds his posts well, showing a strong lateral push to help him track the play. His compete level in the crease is also excellent; he never seems to give up on a play and he’s hit the OHL highlight reel a lot lately with his scrambling saves. He makes good use of his average size by challenging shooters well and fighting for sight lines. Tracking, rebound control, and overall technical consistency remain works in progress, but his overall progress this year has him on the NHL draft radar. (Brock Otten)

QMJHL

Halifax, Nova Scotia - Feb 18: Miles Mueller #17 of the Moncton Wildcats takes a shot during the QMJHL game between the Halifax Mooseheads and Moncton Wildcats on February 18 2024 at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Mooseheads)

Miles Müller - Wing - Moncton Wildcats

After a disappointing season last year in terms of points, Müller had a lot to prove if he wanted to be drafted in the NHL. After 50 games, he has already doubled his point total from last year with the Moncton Wildcats. The young native of Switzerland is slowly emerging as one of the top offensive players on his team. He plays a hard game, always charging along the boards to get the puck, using his 6’0 at his advantage to win 50/50 battles. While his skating is not the most efficient, his strength gives him an explosive first few strides, and he takes advantage of it to generate good shots here and there. His shooting is his strongest offensive asset, as he easily finds highly dangerous shooting lanes. He is intense, and he never gives up on a play. He plays well enough in defence to get a good amount of time on the penalty kill, and he also gets time on the powerplay. On a better structured team in the pros, he will surely get even better as he plays already well away from the puck, reading passing lanes and placing himself in dangerous positions to score. He is starting to show more and more about what he could be at the next level and if he continues to improve at this rate, he is a player that should be drafted in the upcoming draft. (Jeremy Tremblay)

Antonin Verreault - Wing - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

After getting passed over two times at the NHL draft, Antonin Verreault is on a revenge tour. Leading the QMJHL in points by a good margin, he surely has more eyes on him than ever before. For a player who is currently playing his DY+2 in the league, he has more points than a lot of players that are playing their last year in the QMJHL. He will still play in the league next season (in all likelihood), and he should be dominant. Yeah, he’s 5’8”; Verreault is a small player that struggles with his physical play, but with the intensity and the speed that he brings, he shows why he scores that much. He isn’t afraid to cut to the net with the puck, to fight in front of the net and take rebounds or to battle in the corner and get the puck. Not only is he intense, but he is also an intelligent player that knows what he will do with the puck before receiving it. He will have to step up some part of his game, like his defensive ability and puck handling. His size is clearly keeping him away from getting drafted, but for a player that produces that much and has a lot of quality attributes, why not take a chance on him? He should be a serious option in the later rounds. (Jeremy Tremblay)

Jordan Tourigny - Defense - Shawinigan Cataractes

When Jordan Tourigny wasn’t selected last year, it was a little bit surprising. He had a good season, enough to be regarded as a potential pick towards the end of the draft. He was already known for his skating ability and his offensive upside, but it seems that NHL teams didn’t see enough in his game to select him. That didn’t stop Tourigny from working on his game, and since then, he has gained a lot of confidence and strength, making him even more interesting now. There are few defenders in the QMJHL that move the puck like Tourigny. He is a mobile defender that is not afraid to go in the offensive zone with the puck. He uses his edges well to create space and with his speed, he generates a lot of scoring chances on the rush. While his statistics remain similar to last year, his defensive and transition game have evolved a lot. Defensively, he uses his stick to intercept and his speed to win battles. In transition, he takes control of the puck more frequently, bringing the puck from one end to the other and generating scoring chances. His decision-making in his own zone is still something to work on. Too often, his passes in the breakout are obvious and get intercepted. If he can simplify his game and be more effective in his own zone, will it be enough to get drafted this time? (Jeremy Tremblay)

Matyas Melovsky - Center - Baie-Comeau Drakkar

The young player from Czechia is currently playing his second season in the QMJHL. Playing with the strong Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s team, his chance to get drafted may finally be there, especially after a standout performance at the World Junior Championships. Matyas Melovsky is a player that could bring a lot to his team as he plays not only on the powerplay but also on the penalty kill. His mobility is something that shows off easily while watching him as he likes to carry the puck from one end to the other. With his puck protection and his puck control, it is easy for him at the junior level to pass around the defender and attack the net. If his speed continues to improve in the years to come, there is no doubt that he will be able to do that in the big league too. While he is a slightly above average passer and shooter, he generates most offence primarily due to his understanding of the game and his presence around the net. This understanding of the game really puts him on another level, proving that he is ready for the next step. With his impressive combativeness, pace of play and skills, the NHL team that will take a chance on him could assure a top 9 player with a late pick in the draft. (Jeremy Tremblay)

Preston Lounsbury - Center - Moncton Wildcats

The linemate of Miles Muller, Preston Lounsbury, is also a player to keep an eye on. At 19 years old, he has improved a lot this season, doubling his points from last year. Close to one point per game, he plays a really intelligent game, placing the puck at places that create a lot of scoring chances. He is primarily a playmaker, as he always looks for a passing line, faking shots to pass or dangling around one player to open the lane. With his high IQ game, he seems to always know the next play before having the puck. His execution is what’s holding him back from scoring a lot more. His passes are often a little too soon or a little too late, deflecting on the defender. He knows what the right play is, but the timing just isn’t there… yet. Soon enough, he will learn to play at his high pace, and his skating ability will make a bigger difference then. He is also a responsible player, well positioned in his own zone and playing on the penalty kill here and there. Working as hard as he does, making it difficult for his opponent by intercepting a lot of pucks and playing with a lot of energy really makes him like an interesting pick at the upcoming draft. (Jeremy Tremblay)

Joseph Henneberry - Center - Victoriaville Tigres

While Henneberry won’t blow you away with his stats, being around a point per game as a 19-year-old player, there is a lot to like. He was traded a few weeks ago to Victoriaville, but this seemingly hasn’t fazed him, as he has continued producing at around the same pace, and looks very comfortable with his new linemates, already making creative plays, already showing chemistry. His skating mechanics are really advanced; he is super stable on his feet, very agile and evasive, great pace, just an all-around solid skater. More explosiveness could be added, but it’s about it. He creates plays in any situation, can play the inside and the outside, knows how to utilize his size, controls the puck well, and has a great shot. Henneberry has everything going for him and to me he has all the chances in the world to become an impactful player in the NHL someday, most likely towards the bottom of a lineup, but still an impactful player. He is not a lock to be drafted by any means, but I would not be surprised if he catches the eye of an NHL team and gets picked towards the later rounds in the draft. (Jeremi Plourde)

Justin Larose - Wing - Victoriaville Tigres

Another Player from Victoriaville, but quite different from Henneberry. Larose really came out of nowhere, jumping from only 24 points in 68 games in his draft year last year to scoring well above a point per game pace this year (67 points in 56 games). Standing at 5’9, Justin Larose is small, but deadly. He is as good of a passer as he is a goal scorer, with 33 goals and 34 assists this season. Larose is at his most dangerous when he is around the net; with his quick and accurate release, he is able to score a ton of goals from below the hash marks. In fact, all but four of his goals this year are from below that mark, close to the net. Larose loves to execute controlled zone entries with the puck and make things happen out of it. He cuts inside with ease, even making use of his body to protect the puck even given his small frame, which is a common important trait for smaller sized forwards. Overall, Larose is just a smaller forward with all the desirable traits to be an effective potential NHLer one day, which is why there is a possibility he is given a shot by an NHL team this year. (Jeremi Plourde)

Mathis Rousseau - Goaltender - Halifax Mooseheads

Most people probably got familiar with Rousseau from this year’s world juniors, where he started in all 5 games for team Canada and honestly had a pretty decent showing overall, with many highlight-reel saves, but also some lower moments. That being said, Rousseau is no stranger to anyone who closely follows the QMJHL, as he has been clearly one of the best goaltenders in the league. He currently holds the second place amongst goaltenders in save percentage, with a .922%. His record is even more impressive: 27 – 5 – 4. Rousseau does play for a very talented Halifax team, who will be looking to win it all this year after losing in the finals to the Quebec Remparts, but he has been a major part of the Mooseheads’ success in the past couple of years, and has only gotten better. His main strength is his lateral agility; he can slide from a post to another with ease while keeping his entire body straight and fully extending his legs, covering most of the net. His pure reflexes are often notably quick. Only downside in terms of NHL projection is the height. Standing at only 5’11, this might scare off quite a few GMs and scouting staffs. It is true that when a shot is screened and placed towards the top of the net, he can struggle to stop it. Rousseau has even scored a goal this year, which is always pretty fun to see. Out of any goaltenders in the QMJHL, he is the most likely to be drafted, especially when you factor in his world juniors performance and experience. (Jeremi Plourde)

Markus Vidicek - Center - Halifax Mooseheads

Vidicek is probably one of the most well-known overagers from the QMJHL, as he was fairly highly regarded in his draft year back in 2022. Not near the first round by any means, but highly enough to expect him to be drafted towards the end of the draft. He ended up not being selected that year and was overlooked once again by NHL teams last year after putting up 80 points in 68 games. His development is continuing well this year, with 77 points in only 55 games, which makes him 4th in scoring in the Q. He has been putting up these numbers without the help of Jordan Dumais for the majority of the year, which has been one of the criticisms around his game in the past couple of years. There are some flaws with Vidicek, such as size and skating (especially pure speed, but he’s decently agile), but the flashes are too great to not at least consider drafting him. Every now and then he is capable of pulling off high end flashy moves. His two main attributes are his passing skills and his stickhandling, but he has also been able to score a ton of goals this season, developing furthermore his goalscoring instincts and his shot mechanics. Although his NHL projectability is questionable, he is definitely the premier option when it comes down to available overagers in the QMJHL this year. (Jeremi Plourde)

Samuel St-Hilaire - Goaltender - Sherbrooke Phoenix

In only his second season in the QMJHL, St-Hilaire has already shown that he is one of the best and most consistent goaltenders in the league. With a .921 save percentage in 27 starts, he sits third in that regard in the entire league, only .005% short of first place. He is still only 19 years old, and would still have many years left of development before making it to the NHL if the occasion presented itself, but he is undoubtedly, along with Mathis Rousseau, the best available goaltender from the QMJHL in this year’s draft. Standing at 6’2, St-Hilaire is not particularly big as a goaltender, and doesn’t play big in his net either, but that has not seemed to be a problem in his career so far. He is quite mobile when moving and sliding laterally, meaning he does not get out of position quite often; he seems in control of the play all the time. I would say that identifying the puck when screened could be something he might want to look out for, but it obviously gets better with experience. Another thing is low shots close to the posts, but then again this is a common weak point for many goaltenders. (Jeremi Plourde)

Julius Sumpf - Center - Moncton Wildcats

It’s been a very successful first season in the QMJHL for Sumpf, who was able to work around the Import Draft and sign as a free agent with Moncton due to his dual citizenship. He’s been a strong supporting cast member for Moncton, especially elevating his play post World Juniors, where he performed well for Germany. A strong skating, two-way center, Sumpf is a solid playmaker who uses his speed well to push pace and lead the attack. His pro projection is going to be completely tied to his ability to continue to add strength to become more consistent playing through traffic, and to help him become a little more physically engaged. The IQ and skating in his 6’2 frame are intriguing and he has played well overall. It wouldn’t shock me at all if he were selected this year. (Brock Otten)

Benjamin Brunelle - Wing - Rouyn Noranda Huskies

Brunelle is a power winger who has been a consistent secondary scorer and high energy player for the dominant Huskies this season. He likely doesn’t have a ton of upside for the pro level, but his puck protection ability, tenacious approach, and improving skating, wrapped in a 6’3 frame, are likely to interest NHL scouts this year. He drives wide with speed well and is able to keep the puck in his hip pocket to drive the net to create scoring chances in the slot. He works the wall well and is active in puck pursuit, both on the forecheck and backcheck. Perhaps NHL teams take a wait and see approach with him to see how his offensive skills develop further when he eventually takes on a larger offensive role with the Huskies, but, as is, the physical tools could make him a potential checking line or depth option at the pro level. (Brock Otten)

Peter Repcik - Center - Drummondville Voltigeurs

Now on his fourth CHL franchise, things seemed to have finally clicked for Repcik, as he has emerged as an offensive star in the QMJHL for Drummondville. Internationally, Repcik has always looked good for Slovakia, but that had yet to translate to consistent offensive production in the CHL since he was drafted as an Import a few years ago. A dynamic player in transition, Repcik does most of his damage when the pace increases. He is highly skilled and does possess significant offensive upside. However, he’s a pretty much non factor without the puck and his decision making with the puck does leave some to be desired. He’s very much a draft long shot, but does deserve mention on this list for finally showing some progression this year. (Brock Otten)

BCHL

Rylan Brown - Defense - Okotoks Oilers

The son of former NHLer Sean Brown, Rylan decided to stay in Okotoks for a second season after going undrafted last summer and that decision is now paying dividends for him. The Oilers have a good track record recently when it comes to producing talented prospects and now have a new Junior A star on their hands. He is a confident, explosive defender who is trusted to have the puck on his stick a lot, for obvious reasons. He uses his feet to escape pressure and open up space with ease and has a great attack mentality in the offensive zone. There is high-end quarterback ability on display when he works the powerplay, as the puck can flow through him as the main conduit. Despite a lack of size and strength he isn't afraid to grind or take bumps when the situation calls for it, and there is a legitimate edge to how he thinks and processes the game. His skating ability and puck skills are already established, and he can now spend the next few seasons putting in the necessary work on his physical endurance and resiliency before hitting the pro ranks. (Derek Neumeier)

Luke Ashton - Defense - Langley Rivermen

Profiled recently in my Tier 2 write up, Ashton is a physically imposing blueliner who has impressed with his considerable improvement this year. He has broken out in a huge way after a trade from Vernon to Langley in the BCHL, which has allowed Ashton to blossom into one of the BCHL’s top defenders and it has led to a commitment to Minnesota State. The 6’5 blueliner is more than just a physically imposing rearguard with a big shot. He has impressive linear skating ability that he uses to lead the charge in transition and his quick hands allow him to consistently carve up the neutral zone. The overall skating profile does need work and the decision making with the puck is still developing, but the physical tools here are very alluring. This is a big defender with great two-way upside who has already shown an ability to improve his skill set and projection. (Brock Otten)

Francesco Dell’Elce - Defense - Penticton Vees

Another player highlighted in my look at the tier 2 defender, Dell’Elce was ranked inside our top 100 for last year’s draft, but went undrafted due to projection concerns over his defensive ability. The UMass commit decided to head to the tremendous Penticton program before going to school and it’s had a positive impact on his development, placing him back on the draft radar. Dell’Elce’s best asset is still his skating ability, in particular his impressive edgework and linear quickness. He routinely beats the initial layer of pressure, regardless of whether he’s quarterbacking the powerplay or trying to escape the forecheck in his own end. As expected, he’s been one of the best offensive defenders in the BCHL this season. Defensively, his game has shown growth, but is simultaneously still a work in progress. He has a good stick, but still must gain the strength needed to defend high traffic areas more effectively. This is where UMass comes in. I’d still advocate for Dell’Elce to be a selection, especially considering how well the UMass program has developed defenders in the last decade. (Brock Otten)

AJHL

Easton Hewson - Defense - Calgary Canucks

A classic late bloomer, Hewson was playing AA up until only a few years ago and was not selected in the WHL draft. He’s now become one of the better two-way defenders in the AJHL (as only an ‘05) and has secured a scholarship from Minnesota State. The foundation of his game is his skating ability. He is an impressive mover for a 6’4, 200lbs defender. He routinely looks to lead the charge and push up ice to gain the offensive blueline and with long, galloping strides, he covers ground quickly. His first few strides still need work, but once he builds speed, he’s tough to stop. Hewson also flashes high end skill and is able to navigate traffic well. As a defensive player, Hewson is very physical in open ice, aggressively seeking out open ice hit opportunities. The raw, physical tools are just very intriguing. It’s safe to say Minnesota State has a type. The application of said tools is just very, very raw. He needs to pick his spots better to apply himself physically and to take chances offensively. For a player with his size, reach, and mobility, he could stand to be even more consistent in the defensive end. Five years down the road when he is graduating from Minnesota State, what will he look like? NHL scouts typically love players like this. (Brock Otten)

CCHL

Dawson Labre - Goaltender - Smiths Falls Bears

Another player mentioned in my tier 2 piece, Labre was a standout at the World Junior A Challenge, even if he had a poor performance in the gold medal game. However, since returning from the WJAC, Labre has been nearly unbeatable for Smiths Falls. The easy comparison to make here is to Devon Levi given that both players came out of nowhere to dominate the WJAC and CCHL. Let’s be clear that Labre is not on that level. However, he is still an interesting prospect as a late bloomer with an intriguing commitment to a solid school like Ohio State. Overall, I think part of the reason why Labre is so successful is that he is a competitor. He makes a lot of second/third chance save opportunities and tracks the play fairly well to try to square up shooters. He’s not the world’s best athlete in the crease; there’s room for him to improve his quickness post to post, but he controls his body well to remain square. When Labre struggles to make an initial save it’s generally because he’s not aggressive enough. It would not shock me at all if Labre was a late round selection this year based on his size and rapid development curve, even if he’s in his final year of draft eligibility. (Brock Otten)

BELL: 20 Prospect Points – 2024 World Juniors Edition

Josh Bell — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 17:48:31 +0000

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - JANUARY 2: Filip Mesar #10 of Slovakia celebrates his third period goal against Finland in Quarterfinal Round action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Frolundaborg on January 2, 2024 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

Welcome to 20 Prospect Points, a bi-weekly column where I dive into the trending prospects - drafted and draft-eligible - from around the globe.

This edition focuses on the biggest event going on right now - the 2024 World Junior Championships. I look at 20 prospects that have been standing out throughout the preliminary round or have captured headlines.

Drafted Prospects

#1 Arguably the biggest story out of the World Juniors preliminary round, Servac Petrovsky was dominant. He led the tournament in points through Slovakia’s first four games, with nine points (five goals, four assists). At the start of the event, I noted that he was a player to watch and he very much delivered. His excellent shot was on full display as was his overall offensive ability. He did well to raise his stock at this event.

#2 Sticking with Slovakia, they were so strong throughout the round-robin portion of the tournament, outside of a 10-2 loss to the USA. A large reason for that, other than Petrovsky, was Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Filip Mesar. The centreman finished with seven points (one goal, six assists) before the elimination round. It was known that he’d be a significant factor for the Slovaks and he delivered.

#3 One final drafted Slovak that I want to mention here is Maxim Strbak. The Buffalo Sabres’ prospect tied for the points lead by a defenseman with six points (one goal, five assists). He was one of the team’s top players throughout the tournament and has earned some consideration for the Top Defender honour. He was unquestionably the top defender for the team, playing significant minutes and making his presence felt. With some confidence coming out of the tournament, look for a big second half of the year from him back with the NCAA’s Michigan State University.

#4 Tied with Strbak for the defensive point’s lead through the prelims was Swedish defender Theo Lindstein. He also had one goal and five assists, matching Strbak’s output while playing about four minutes less per game. With defenders like Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Elias Salomonsson, and Tom Willander on the Swede’s roster, Lindstein’s performance is all the more impressive. The St. Louis Blues’ prospect and recent first rounder always stands out at international competitions and the 2024 World Juniors have been no different. He also tied for the points lead on the team through their first four games.

#5 Part of the reason Sweden has been so strong in this year’s World Juniors is their depth. All four lines are producing offense and contributing. With a star-studded roster, it’s all the more impressive that Otto Stenberg has been one of the brightest spots for this team. He stood out every game for me, putting up six points (three goals, three assists) along the way, tied for the team lead. Another Blues’ prospect, he should continue to be a factor as the team searches for a gold medal.

#6 After standing out in last year’s World Juniors, it’s no surprise that Jiri Kulich has once again been impressive for Czechia. With seven points (four goals, three assists) in his team’s first four games, he’s helped the team to the medal round where they look to take home hardware for the second straight year. The Sabres’ prospect is officially Czechia’s all-time goalscoring leader at the World Juniors and will look to build on that with the team’s remaining games.

#7 Another standout for Czechia has been goaltender Michael Hrabal, who has to be in the conversation for goaltender of the tournament. The Arizona Coyotes’ prospect has played in every game for the Czechs, and while there have been some goals he’ll want back, he’s been the backbone of this team and kept them in every game. He’s one of only two netminders to have played every game for their team and will be leaned on heavily en route to the medal games.

#8 Team USA came into this event looking very much like the favourite to win it all and they haven’t disappointed so far. Leading the charge has been Columbus Blue Jackets’ prospect Gavin Brindley, who led the round-robin with six goals in his four games, adding two assists for eight points. He plays hard on every shift and it’s been paying off in this event. He’ll be a huge factor in the elimination round.

#9 Brindley’s centreman throughout the tournament, Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect Frank Nazar, has been right there with him, with the two regularly connecting. Nazar led the tournament in assists through the first four games with eight - accounting for all of his points. The two, along with teammate Isaac Howard, have arguably been the best line in this tournament and should continue that moving forward.

#10 The third American with two points per game through the preliminary round, Philadelphia Flyers’ prospect Cutter Gauthier came into the tournament expecting to be a catalyst for the USA and he’s been just that, helping the team to an undefeated record. He finished the prelims with one goal and seven assists and will expand on that moving forward.

Draft-Eligible Prospects

#11 The biggest story surrounding draft-eligible prospects has to be the injury to Adam Jiricek. After suffering an injury in the opening game of the World Juniors, Jiricek was ruled out for the tournament. It has since been announced that he’s done for the remainder of the season - a significant blow for the potential first-rounder. He’s been a bit of a polarizing prospect this season, with some considering him a top-15 or even a top-10 pick and others questioning whether he even belongs in the first round. There was some hope for a strong second half of his season to prove himself, but he’ll be a slightly risky selection in June.

#12 While Canada lacked the star power that they typically have at the World Juniors, they once again had a draft-eligible prospect that carried the way for them. Macklin Celebrini was as advertised, the top skater for the Canadians in arguably every game. He led Canada in points with eight (four goals, four assists) and saw his ice time increase every game. He’s eligible to return next year - if he’s not already in the NHL.

#13 Another draft-eligible that stood out for Canada was goaltender Mathis Rousseau, an overager who dressed for Canada for the first time in his young career. Rousseau has backstopped the Canadians in every single game, going 3-1 and recording one shutout. He had a .923 save percentage and was one of the top netminders in the event. If he wasn’t on the draft radar before, he should be now.

#14 While we’re talking about netminders, another worth mentioning here is Swedish goalie Hugo Havelid. While he played just two games, he didn’t let in a single goal in either one, facing off against Latvia and Canada. The overager was especially impressive against the Canadians and should be the guy for Sweden down the stretch, granted Melker Thelin has been strong as well.

#15 On a high-powered Team USA roster, the role that Zeev Buium played in this event was a question mark coming in. But the potential top-15 selection has been strong, going a point-per-game through the preliminary game with four points (two goals, two assists). He was behind only Lane Hutson for points from a defender on the back end and should take over the No. 1 spot next year. His strong season continued into this event and should down the stretch to the draft as well.

#16 Coming into the tournament, it was expected that Konsta Helenius would be the guy for Team Finland. That wasn’t the case for the potential top-five pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, who failed to register a point in the prelims. The hope was that he would lead this team and be relied on heavily to provide offense, but he’s been extremely quiet throughout this tournament. He’s eligible to be back next year, but this year’s performance has been slightly disappointing. He should still have some chances to prove himself in the medal rounds though.

#17 While Helenius has been in the background, team captain and overage prospect Jere Lassila has been on full display, tying for the team lead in points with five (two goals, three assists). He does seem to be dominant in international competition when the stakes are high, which could be intriguing for an NHL team in the later rounds. Lassila has been one of the best overagers in this event and should continue to show why when the games matter even more.

#18 Every time I see Peter Repcik play; I leave impressed. The undrafted prospect has been quite strong in the QMJHL this season and carried that into the World Juniors for the Slovaks. He has points in every game in the rebound robin, finishing with six points (three goals, three assists) in four games. This is his third World Juniors event, and I’d bet it’s not the last time we see him don Slovak colours.

#19 While the expectations for Norway weren’t very high coming into the World Juniors, the anticipation for Michael Brandsegg-Nygard was extremely high. He didn’t disappoint, looking like the top player for the Norweigan’s throughout the tournament. He tied for the lead in points on the team with three (two goals, one assist) in the four games played. If Norway can avoid relegation, you can bet that the potential top-15 pick will be a big reason why.

#20 Brandsegg-Nygard hasn’t been the only Norweigan draft-eligible to stand out though. Tied with him for the team point lead was Petter Vesterheim, an overager who was a big reason Norway was promoted last year. He was named the Top Player for Norway when they won the D1A U20 tournament last year. Expect him to do everything he can to maintain his country’s place in the top U20 division.

2024 WORLD JUNIORS CHAMPIONSHIP – January 2nd, 2024 – Game Recaps + Three Stars

Brock Otten — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:26:06 +0000

Goaltender Michael Hrabal of Czech Republic during the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship quarter final between Canada and Czech Republic on January 2, 2024 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRÅN

Slovakia 3, Finland 4

What a hockey game this was, filled with non-stop action and several momentum swings. Just when one side looked to be taking hold of the game, the pendulum swung. The best example of that was late in the third period when Aleksanteri Kaskimaki one timed the puck past Adam Gajan to give Finland a 3-2 lead with under two minutes to go. Not even a minute later, with Gajan pulled, the Slovaks tied it on a wobbling wrister to send the game to overtime. It certainly seemed like the Slovaks would have all the momentum heading into overtime, but not even 30 seconds into the extra frame, Jere Lassila burst in alone and buried one past Gajan to send Finland to the semifinals. It was quite a remarkable turnaround for the Finns, who were a loss away in the round robin from hitting the relegation round, but now find themselves facing the United States in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Canada, 2, Czechia 3

Would you even consider this to be an upset? I know I wouldn’t, and several of our scouts predicted this exact outcome for Canada in our WJC pre-tournament guide. Additionally, several of our scouts predicted a strong tournament performance for the Czechs. The Canadians looked completely overwhelmed by the speed of the Czechs in the opening frame and Mathis Rousseau let in two goals he’d probably like to have back: his first real moment of shakiness in this tournament. The second and third were largely dominated by Canada as they managed to flip the script, hemming the Czechs in their own zone for large stretches. But kudos to the Czechs, who largely weathered the storm by remaining disciplined (not taking a single penalty in the game) and clogging up shooting lanes, all while receiving great goaltending from Michael Hrabal. It seemed like this game was headed to overtime, but some sloppy puck management in the defensive end by Canada led to the game winner by Czechia with 11 seconds to go. Sure, you can identify it as puck luck, as Jakub Stancl’s shot bounced off Oliver Bonk and in, but the Czechs had improved drastically over the course of this tournament and deserved to move on.

United States 7, Latvia 2

In the only non-competitive game of the quarterfinals, the United States squashed Latvia; although to Latvia’s credit they kept competing right to the final whistle, even scoring the final goal of the game. The forecheck and speed in transition, in combination with the greater skill and creativity of the Americans was just too much for Latvia on this day. The lineup tinkering by the United States, with Oliver Moore moving on to the first line, pushing Jimmy Snuggerud to the fourth line, proved to be successful as that line generated a couple of goals and Snuggerud was more successful with Danny Nelson and Quinn Finley. It was also the best game of the tournament for Seamus Casey as he was a standout from the back end. The United States now prepares for Finland in the semifinals, an opponent who will obviously not be taken lightly.

Sweden 3, Switzerland 2

The final game of quarterfinal day gave us a way better and closer matchup than anticipated. After the first period, it seemed like this one was destined to be a blowout like the U.S./Latvia one before it. But the Swiss clamped down and frustrated the heck out of Sweden in the second and third periods, sending this game to an overtime frame. In the OT period, Rodwin Dionicio got called for a questionable hooking penalty, sending Sweden to a powerplay which they converted on to push them through to the semi-finals. Axel Sandin Pellikka walked in and snapped a wrist shot past Alessio Beglieri, serving as the OT hero. This was a tough pill to swallow for Dionicio, who had been one of the better defenders in the tournament thus far, as he snapped his stick and handed it to the official. The hometown Swedes will now take on a Czech team that has beaten Canada and pushed the United States to the brink in recent games. Without question, they will need to be sharper on Thursday to beat Czechia.

Three Stars of the Day

#1 Michael Hrabal - Goaltender - Czechia

One could probably make the case that Hrabal’s defenders deserved this more than him with how many shots they blocked in the third period, but he was just so poised and solid in today’s win over Canada. He stopped 28 of 30 and really limited second chance opportunities in the second and third period when Canada was pressing. His size and athleticism have such a profound impact on the mentality of shooters as it was clear that the Canadian players were trying to be perfectly precise with their shots to try to beat him, thus the amount fired wide today. It’s been a bit of an up and down/inconsistent tournament for Hrabal, but top prospects are supposed to be at their best when it matters most and Hrabal was just that today. Does he have another big game in him on Thursday against Sweden?

#2 Seamus Casey - Defense - United States

Another player who has had an up and down tournament, Casey’s inconsistent play seems to have stemmed from the illness he picked up that caused him to miss a round robin game. However, judging by today’s performance against Latvia, he is finally healthy. Casey was all over the ice, excelling at both ends. He finished the game with three assists and was a +4 overall. Casey’s poise in the offensive end was on display today as he did a great job of getting pucks to the net, two of which directly resulted in U.S. goals. He was also a standout defensively with his ability to shut down the transition game thanks to his high-end skating ability. Puck management has been a bit of an issue for the U.S.’ defense in this tournament and if Casey can replicate this performance moving forward, it would greatly improve this team’s chances of capturing gold.

#3 Jere Lassila - Center - Finland

The overtime hero for Finland today in their victory over Slovakia, Lassila had an excellent overall game finishing with a goal and an assist. The assist was off a great play in puck pursuit as he won a battle behind the net then centered it to the slot for Lenni Hameenaho, who put Finland up 2-1 at the time. Then he finished things off in overtime by exploding into the offensive zone, splitting the defense and beating Adam Gajan to play hero. Overall, it’s been a great tournament for Lassila, a previously undrafted pivot. The Finnish captain has always performed well for Finland internationally, but his lack of size, combined with a lack of explosiveness has previously kept him from drawing NHL interest. That may not be the case anymore as Lassila looks to have improved his skating and has had a great year in Liiga with JYP, where he is third among U20 players in the league with 10 assists.

2024 WORLD JUNIORS CHAMPIONSHIP – December 29th, 2024 Game Recaps

Adam Tate — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 15:15:15 +0000

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - DECEMBER 29: Juraj Pekarcik #19 of Slovakia celebrates his first period goal against Norway with teammates, Dalibor Dvorsky #15, Alex Ciernik #22, Milan Pisoja #3 and Luka Radivojevic #11 in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Frolundaborg on December 29, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

Slovakia 8, Norway 4

With a day off yesterday after beating Switzerland 3-0, Slovakia came into today’s game ready to play. From the drop of the puck, it was clear that they had a speed and skill advantage over Norway. Slovakia was down early with Norway’s Michael Brandsegg-Nygard scoring just over three minutes into the first period. They tied the game up about 10 minutes later with Samuel Honzek evening the score with a power play goal. Juraj Pekarcik would score for Slovakia less than a minute later and they would never look back. They broke the game open in the second period with five goals. Dalibor Dvorsky had a very strong game with four points (two goals and two assists). The aforementioned Brandsegg-Nygard (2024 NHL Draft eligible) had a three-point game (2 goals and one assist) and was Norway’s Player of the Game. Norway would need both their goaltenders in this game. They didn’t dress Markus Stensrud, choosing to save him for tomorrow’s game against Switzerland, as that could be a relegation game.

Finland 4, Latvia 0

Finland needed a better result today after having lost to Germany on Wednesday to avoid any potential relegation scenarios. They got the job done in a must-win game against Latvia. Finland’s Captain, Jere Lassila factored in on all of their goals with a goal and three assists. He wasn’t going to let Finland continue to slide down the standings in Group A. Konsta Helenius, the hyped 2024 NHL Draft eligible player, had another quiet game, only hitting the scoresheet with a penalty in the third period. Latvia’s scoring struggles continued this game and they haven’t scored in any of their three games in the tournament so far. Even combining their two drafted players, forwards Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis, they still struggled to find consistent offense. Their goaltender, Deivs Rolovs, was the Player of the Game for Latvia despite giving up four goals as he stopped 39 of 43 shots. Without Rolovs, this game would’ve been much worse for Latvia.

USA 4, Czechia 3 (Shootout Win)

The closest game in terms of score today, USA edged Czechia in a shootout to win their game 4-3. Isaac Howard would start the scoring with the first goal of the game, and he ended the game with the Shootout winner in the 7th round. The goals were equal in each period but the play was not. USA had the run of play in the 1st, outshooting Czechia 15-5 and looking more dangerous overall, including a couple of good shorthanded chances. The game favored Czechia more in the 2nd period as they held the shot advantage (12-9) and had the only power play of the period. The 3rd and overtime settled nothing, though USA had the most chances in OT, so the game went to a shootout. USA must win their game against Slovakia in order to win Group B as they only collect 2 points for the win today.

Sweden 2, Canada 0

This was the marquee matchup of the day and it did not disappoint. Sweden and Canada played an intense back and forth game with both teams wanting to show the fans in attendance that they were the best team in Group A. Both goaltenders, Hugo Havelid for Sweden, and Mathis Rousseau for Canada, made tremendous high danger saves. The forward groups showed a lot of skill and speed. The defence for both teams were tenacious and hard hitting. It was the kind of game you hope to see from this tournament.

Swedish defenceman Tom Willander opened the scoring in the second period with a nice rush up the ice and used a Canadian defenceman as a screen to score. Noah Ostlund would score on a rebound from a Jonathan Lekkerimaki shot from the blue line. Canada would have a couple of power play opportunities after those goals, but Havelid shut the door. Rousseau played his best game for Canada so far with some outstanding saves. Sweden has yet to be scored on in the tournament through three games.

Three Stars of the Day

#1 - Dalibor Dvorsky - Forward - Slovakia

The 10th overall selection by the St. Louis Blues in the 2023 NHL Draft finally factored into Slovakia’s scoring with four points today (2 goals, 2 assists). He was a play driver for his line and pushed Norway to their limit. His first goal to make it 3-1 was a rush to the net on the power play where he turned the defenceman and made a move across the crease to open up the goaltender. His second goal was a rush down the middle of the ice with a nice wrist shot after he crossed Norway’s blue line, using the defenceman as a screen. Anytime Dvorsky was on the ice he was beating Norway with speed and strength, and they had no answer for him.

Honorable Mention goes to Servac Petrovsky who also had a four-point game and is now leading the tournament in scoring.

#2 - Jere Lassila - Forward - Finland

The Finnish Captain had his best day in international play to this point in his career today. Factoring in on all four of Finland’s goals in a must-win situation to avoid having to deal with relegation is the best way to lead by example. He would not let Finland lose today. His goal opened the scoring of the game and came on the power play. He was positioned in front of the net and banged home a rebound. Two of his three assists also came on the power play as he was a key factor in that situation. He played 19:06, leading all Finnish forwards in ice time.

#3 - Mathis Rousseau - Goaltender - Canada

Despite losing 2-0, Mathis Rousseau provided Canada with outstanding play in goal today. He made a number of incredible saves and kept Canada in the game. While only seeing 24 shots in the game, an average goaltending performance today would’ve resulted in a 4-0 or 5-0 win for Sweden. It’s hard to blame Rousseau for either of Sweden’s goals. On Tom Willander’s he was screened by his own teammate and didn’t see the shot until it was too late. On the second goal, Rousseau stopped two shots from Jonathan Lekkerimaki, including one where he was by himself in the slot, before giving up a rebound goal to Ostlund. I wouldn’t blame Rousseau for this goal either as Ostlund made a good play to get behind Canada’s defence and wasn’t accounted for when he scored. Rousseau was Canada’s best player today, and he deserves a star despite the loss.

BELL: Scout’s Prospects Notebook: One Overlooked Player From Each 2024 World Juniors Team to Watch

Josh Bell — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 15:26:33 +0000

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - DECEMBER 26: Finland vs Canada Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scandinavium on December 26, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

The World Juniors brings together some of the top prospects in hockey in one action-packed, exciting event. While the stars often take a large portion of center stage, we can always count on some unexpected (or less expected) prospects to make an impact and stand out in a big way.

The 2024 World Juniors will be no different. While players like Matthew Savoie, Jonathan Lekkermaki, Jiri Kulich, Lane Hutson, and Denton Mateychuk will be expected to take on huge roles, some other prospects are hitting the ice that are likely to have just as much impact in this event.

Here’s one player to watch from every World Juniors’ team this year, who may not be the main star or focus on their team as they enter the event but could very well be the hero by the end.

Team Canada: Mathis Rousseau (2024 Eligible)

The Canadian roster is filled with players who can stand out and step up in this event. It’s loaded with star power from Savoie and Macklin Celebrini up front to Mateychuk on the back end. Any skater on this team could be a star whether they came into the event as one or not. However, as we’re accustomed to discussing about Canada in this event - what about goaltending? Enter Mathis Rousseau.

Rousseau has been dominating the QMJHL this season with a 16-3-2 record to go along with his .934 save percentage. Despite recording a .912 save percentage and a 36-7-2 record last season, the Montreal native went undrafted in last year’s draft (and the year before). This could very well be his year and this World Juniors could be his pedestal to show why.

It won’t be easy as he’ll need to beat out Buffalo Sabres’ prospect Scott Ratzlaff for the role, but Rousseau has the talent to do it. While he’s an “undersized” goaltender at 5-foot-11, he reads the play so well and his technique is excellent. He can make a sprawling desperation safe when needed as well, and you can expect his athleticism will be on full display in this event. Prediction: he’ll be Canada’s guy by the end of the event. That means that Canada’s medal chances will rest on his shoulders.

Team Czechia: Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas Golden Knights)

Looking at the Czech roster, of course, attention is drawn to captain Jiri Kulich or even recent draft pick Eduard Sale. However, don’t sleep on Matyas Sapovaliv. The centerman is entering his third World Juniors event, last year standing out with a point-per-game performance as he helped the Czechs to a silver medal. He was also named a top-three player on that team.

Sapovaliv looks to be taking a big step in the OHL this year, already with 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) in 27 games. He’s on pace for 87 points - a big step up from his 56 points last season. The Vegas Golden Knights prospect, drafted 48th overall in 2022, is centring the top line between first-rounders Kulich and Sale and should more than fit in with those two.

The forward brings good size, excellent vision, impressive puck possession, and underappreciated two-way ability to the Czech roster. I’d expect him to push Kulich and Sale to be better in this event as the pivot on their line. Sapovaliv is not a passenger. He can drive plays, and look for him to do just that in what could be a breakout event for the young prospect.

Team Finland: Jani Nyman (Seattle Kraken)

Every discussion of this Finnish roster falls on one player: 2024-eligible Konsta Helenius. And that’s fair, if this roster is going to have any success, their young centerman will need to have a big tournament. But don’t forget about Jani Nyman. The Seattle Kraken prospect was drafted in 2022, 49th overall, and is playing in his second World Juniors.

Nyman has been having a strong season in the Liiga with Ilves, recording 22 points (14 goals, eight assists) in 28 games. That goal total is tied in the Liiga for the most in the league. As his stat line would suggest, he’s strong at finding the back of the net and that will be relied on heavily at the World Juniors if the Finns will have a chance at stealing a medal. I’d expect him to lead the secondary scoring for the Finns and potentially work his way up to the top of the lineup by the time the tournament’s over.

With Nyman’s excellent season in Finland, expect that to carry over into the World Juniors, especially as a returning, veteran player on this roster. His shot might be one of the best in the entire tournament and he’ll put it on display as much as he can. He has some soft hands as well and has a knack for finding open space. Keep an eye on him as the tournament progresses.

Team Germany: Simon Wolf (Undrafted - 2024 Eligible)

The Germans have had a ton of star power in recent years, but this year’s roster does seem to lack that aspect. Julian Lutz should be the leader, and any success that this team has will likely come from his stick, but it’s Simon Wolf could be the true catalyst for the Germans in this event.

The netminder is a returning player on this roster, granted he was the backup last year and had one, rough start. This year, it looks like he’ll take the starting reigns in the tough Group A and will be relied on heavily to face a large flurry of shots and keep his team in games as much as he can. He’s been passed over in the NHL Draft twice and while he’s a long shot to be selected in this year’s crop, a strong World Juniors could help change that (hello Tomas Suchacek and Adam Gajan).

Wolf has good size at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, His stats haven’t been great over the years, but neither have the teams that he’s played on. He’s much better than his stats suggest. For example, in three games at the 2022 U18s, he was 0-3 with a .876 save percentage - but I thought he looked strong. He faced 56, 35, and 46 shots against though. Again, he’s better than the stats suggest.

Team Latvia: Darels Uljanskis (2024 Eligible)

Like Germany, this Latvian team doesn’t quite have star power in this year’s event. They do have some returning, NHL-drafted pieces that should help them in Sandis Vilmanis and Dans Locmelis, but it’s 2024 Darels Uljanskis that could be the one turning heads in this year’s event.

The 2024-eligible prospect has the potential to be a top-100 selection in the draft and could improve on that stock as the World Juniors roll on. The 17-year-old defender has spent most of the season with AIK J20 in the J20 Nationell, where he’s collected 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 25 games - good for third on the team as the youngest player on the team.

The prospect exudes confidence and loves to join the rush, make plays, and show off his creativity. While he’s still a younger player in this event, expect him to put that on full display as often as he can. He has good reach and an active stick and will be leaned on to make plays in his own end as well. Look for him to be a difference-maker for the Latvians and put his name on the draft map.

Team Norway: Petter Vesterheim (Undrafted - 2024 Eligible)

Noway has one clear-cut star on the roster in Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who’s already earned the title of the best prospect to come out of Norway in recent memory and looks to be the first-ever first-rounder out of the country. Outside of him, the talent level on this Norweigan roster does drop off. But Brandsegg-Nygard’s teammate Petter Versterheim could help this team avoid relegation.

Vesterheim even plays on the same line as Brandsegg-Nygard with Mora IK in the HockeyAllsvenskan and has been playing well over the past two seasons. He’s up to nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 24 games - ahead of Brandsegg-Nygard by three points. He went undrafted in 2023 but was on a handful of public lists, including coming in at 216th at McKeen’s. He should be an overage target in this year’s draft.

The forward should be the pivot on the top line, maintaining his connection with MBN and Noah Steen (all on the same line with Mora) and leading the team all tournament. He’s a strong playmaker and consistently pushes the pace. He brings a level of creativity to his game, utilized often to create space for himself and his teammates.

Team Slovakia: Servac Petrovsky (Minnesota Wild)

The Slovaks have been pumping out some extremely talented prospects in recent years, and there’s a handful of them on this World Juniors roster. Dalibor Dvorsky, Filip Mesar, Samuel Honzek, and last year’s top goaltender Adam Gajan should help disrupt this tournament, and could even push Slovakia into the medal rounds. They’ll be helped though with some pieces throughout this roster, highlighted by Servac Petrovsky.

Drafted way down in the sixth round, 185th overall by the Minnesota Wild, Petrovsky has been having an excellent season in the OHL, maintaining a point-per-game pace. He’s entering his third World Juniors already, recording two goals and an assist in each of the last two. Expect that to shoot up this year.

Petrovsky’s offensive abilities are obvious thanks to his ability to find the soft ice and his knack for breaking free from the defender assigned to him. He has an excellent, accurate shot and likes to use it. But he also brings defensive ability, where he’s responsible and active as well. There’s a chance that Petrovsky becomes the hero of this team and should be a huge factor in any success the Slovaks have.

Team Sweden: Filip Bystedt (San Jose Sharks)

This Swedish roster has been built for success and there’s been a lot of talk about the top three forwards of Jonathan Lekkermaki, Noah Ostlund, and Liam Ohgren. There’s also been discussion of the potential top defender of the tournament Axel Sandin Pellikka. After these big four though, the roster will open up and rely on a large number of players. However, Filip Bystedt should be one to watch as he could very well be the difference-maker in games for Sweden.

There’s proof that this is possible actually, if you look back to the 2023 World Juniors where Bystedt went off for 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games where he was named a top three player on the team. Last year’s SHL Rookie of the Year has stuck in the SHL this year as well with Linkoping HC where he has nine points (four goals, five assists) in 26 games. That total isn’t exactly a step forward from last year, but this tournament could be the confidence boost he needs this season.

A hulking forward at 6-foot-4, Bystedt is a strong player who can dominate the play at times. He has good speed and his skating has improved this year. He’s a solid possession player that can make an impact in both ends of the ice. He should factor into the top six and should once again be an offensive leader on this team. I’m expecting this to be the jumping-off point of his season to get back on his development track.

Team Switzerland: Leon Muggli (2024 Eligible)

Switzerland is likely entering this tournament will a goal of avoiding relegation, unfortunately. The roster does lack a star-power element but does have Anaheim Ducks prospect Rodwin Dionicio who should be the leader of this team from the backend. The backend does have the potential to lead this team altogether, especially with another up-and-comer looking to be a cornerstone on the blue line in Leon Muggli.

The young defenseman has had an exceptional season so far in the Swiss National League with Zug, where he’s put up nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 25 games. While that might not pop off the page, this is a professional men’s league, he’s 17, and his 0.36 points per game is the best of a U18 defender in the league ever - including Nashville Predators star Roman Josi.

Muggli has been an underrated prospect to this point in the season, but the World Juniors could act as his public coming-out party. He looks to factor into the top four (if not the top line with Dionicio) and will display his intelligence and maturity in every play. He should contribute offensively and be relied on as a solid defensive piece. Look for him to lead the breakout and could join the rush often. Another prediction: Muggli ends the tournament as one of the Swiss’ top three players.

Team USA: Zeev Buium (2024 Eligible)

Team USA is in Sweden for one reason and one reason only: gold. They have the roster to do it. This team is stacked. Rutger McGroarty, Cutter Gauthier, Will Smith, Lane Hutson, Gabe Perrault, and the list goes on. This team looks to be the favourite to win the tournament. This forward corps has dominated much of the conversation so far, as has Hutson and Seamus Casey on the back end. But one defender that needs to be on the radar is Zeev Buium.

The 2024-eligible prospect is in the midst of a potentially historic season, putting up 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in just 18 games with the University of Denver in the NCAA. He’s on pace for the highest-scoring season for a U19 defender in the history of the NCAA. He’s no stranger to having success with Team USA either, putting up six points (one goal, five assists) at the 2023 World U18s en route to a gold medal.

Buium is the only draft-eligible skater on this roster and should start the tournament by playing some sheltered minutes. However, if his play from the NCAA continues, he’ll force the USA coaching staff to move him up the lineup before the event ends. He’s incredibly intelligent and calm, with strong skating ability and excellent puck distribution. Watch

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – December 26th, 2023 Game Review

Derek Neumeier — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:29:51 +0000

Gavin Brindley of USA during the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship between USA and Norway on December 26, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN

Slovakia 6 vs. Czechia 2

The most recent match between these hockey rivals and former nation siblings went in the favour of Slovakia, with the Slovakians riding a three-goal burst early in the third period to extend a narrow 2-1 lead into a 5-1 rout and eventual 6-2 finale. It was an impressive victory considering their last medal at this tournament was a bronze in 2015, as well as the fact that the two best eligible players for their country, Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec, are currently playing for their NHL clubs instead. Forward Servác Petrovský led the way offensively for the winning side, with two goals and one assist, while Samuel Honzek, Filip Mešár, Maxim Štrbák and Viliam Kmec all chipped in two points apiece. Czech starting netminder Michal Hrabal was never quite able to find stable ground in his crease, allowing six goals on 34 shots while looking shaky throughout.

Canada 5 vs. Finland 2

Canada's depth and balance will be their most important attributes at this year's event, and they utilized both masterfully on Tuesday, skating away with a 5-2 win in a game that they were in control of throughout, aside for some penalty troubles. Despite being assembled as more of a checking line, the trio of Nate Danielson, Owen Beck and Owen Allard was Canada's best overall, generating the first two goals and tilting the ice throughout most of their shifts. Projected 2024 1st-overall draft selection Macklin Celebrini also had a huge goal in the second frame on a net-front scramble that needed video review to be confirmed. Crucially, the undrafted Mathis Rousseau made 24 saves and looked plenty sharp, instilling some confidence about the team's seeming weakness between the pipes. Defenseman Arttu Kärki recorded assists on both Finnish goals, while goaltender Niklas Kokko turned aside numerous quality scoring chances but wasn't able to deny all of them.

United States 4 vs Norway 1

If the Americans were expecting a casual skate in their tournament opener, they were given a quick wake-up call, as the heavy underdog Norwegians came out ready to play hard. While the outcome of a U.S. win was easily predicted the narrowness of the 4-1 score and the back-and-forth exchange of scoring chances in the first half certainly wasn't. Gavin Brindley's 2-0 goal finally broke the dam for the red, white and blue, and he followed it up with another two and a half minutes later, snuffing out most of the spark that their opponents showed early on. The diminutive Markus Stensrud was simply sensational in net for Norway, making a multitude of stellar saves, and 40 overall, while preventing the score from getting obscene, which could end up being important later on in the tournament if goal differential comes into play as a tiebreaker.

Sweden 6 vs. Latvia 0

The last match of the day was by far and away the least eventful of the opening four, as the host Swedes outshot Latvia 35-20 and trounced them on the scoreboard to the tune of 6-0. At no point did the game ever really seem close, though that didn't deter the cheers from the raucous home crowd. Latvia had a five-minute powerplay just 25 seconds into the first period, on a nasty boarding penalty by Swedish defender Elias Salomonsson, but wasn't able to generate anything from it, and shortly after it ended it was obvious that a vitally important opportunity for them as underdogs had been unfortunately squandered. Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Filip Bystedt, 1st-round picks of the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks, respectively, each scored two goals apiece, while goaltender Hugo Hävelid didn't face the toughest of tests to earn the 20-save shutout.

Three Stars:

1) Gavin Brindley — United States

The first half of the game between the United States and Norway had all the necessary ingredients for an historic upset. However, Brindley had other ideas. A notorious workhorse and spark plug who was also part of the bronze medal-winning American roster last year, he narrowly pounded home a powerplay one-timer to make it 2-0 and then went beautifully bar down shortly afterwards to make it 3-0. That second marker took the wind out of Norway's sails for a while and they never fully recovered.

2) Maveric Lamoureux — Canada

Lamoureux didn't have a particularly flashy or exciting game, but that was by design, focusing his attentions instead on keeping the Finns quiet and under control over the course of his team-leading 24:50 of ice time. The rangy blueliner was a suffocating defensive presence and undoubtedly frustrating for his opponents to get through. He did, however, help create the game's opening goal when his shot from the point went off Danielson and in, and he was similarly rewarded on the score sheet in the dying minutes when he calmly buried an empty-net goal from center ice.

3) Adam Gajan — Slovakia

Things easily could have gone south for the Slovakian netminder Gajan after allowing a goal just 1:01 after puck drop, but to his credit he immediately bounced back and once again looked like the star player who was crucial in almost upsetting Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2023 tournament. Dialed in and on his toes, he kept things tight and tidy for the remainder of the game's opening 40 minutes, which in turn helped his confident teammates break the deadlock late in the second period and then produce their outburst of goals in the third.

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Team Canada

Derek Neumeier — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 16:16:29 +0000

The winners of both the 2022 and 2023 iterations of this tournament, the motivation for Canada this time around is obvious: keep that streak alive. A World Juniors three-peat wouldn't be a new or groundbreaking accomplishment for the Great White North, since they've managed to pull off not one but two staggering five-championship runs in the past, first from 1992 to 1997 and then again from 2005 to 2010. However, this particular group won't be quite as star-studded as some of those prior ones were, and are now considered more of a marginal favourite, at best, to skate out of Gothenburg with gold medals around their necks.

The biggest difference this year for Canada will be the absence of a true game-breaking talent, which Connor Bedard proved himself to be multiple times in Halifax, often putting the whole team on his back. This time around they will have to work a whole lot more as a cohesive team, and on paper they certainly have as much skill, depth and balance as they need. This is, after all, a roster with 10 prospects who have already been selected in the 1^st round of the NHL draft, with a nicely proportional split of six forwards and four defensemen. There are also five players here who have already dressed for NHL regular season games, providing an advantage of experience that no other nation will be able to match.

There is one major ruffle for Canada, though, and stop me if you've heard this one before: the goaltending is a question mark. It might even be the biggest question mark we've seen for them at this position in the past decade of tournaments, if not longer. The team's brass has brought three netminders along for the ride, two of whom were each passed over in both years of their draft eligibility thus far, while the third was drafted but has struggled mightily this season and is the youngest of the trio. It's anyone's guess as to which one will still be between the pipes when this team's tournament ends.

With the United States and Sweden both fielding strong rosters of their own, this group of Canadians will need to find their collective identity early on and do everything they can to not lose track of it.

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 29: Canada's Macklin Celebrini #17 celebrates after scoring during the Sweden vs Canada Semifinal Round action at 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at St. Jakob Arena on April 29, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

Key Players:

Owen Beck — C/W

Beck is the only returning player from last year's Canadian roster, which will bestow upon him additional responsibilities and pressure, even though he previously only dressed for three of the games and didn't see a lot of ice time. Luckily for him he'll get to play more of a Swiss army knife kind of role here, where he can move around the lineup and get slotted in wherever his coaches think his talents — primarily his blazing speed and consistent work rate — will be best utilized. Also making matters a little easier is that he went on a deep OHL playoff run with the Peterborough Petes this past spring, playing a leading role as they won the league title and advanced to the Memorial Cup, so he's already quite familiar with high-stakes hockey.

Macklin Celebrini — C/W

Let's get this out of the way first: with all due respect to Celebrini, he's not in the same echelon as Bedard was last year, even though he also made the team as a 17-year-old and will almost assuredly get picked 1^st overall in the following NHL draft. That said, he's still one hell of a player, and could genuinely turn out to be Canada's most important offensive weapon. He's been utterly dominant this season with Boston University despite being the youngest player in all of college hockey, so it stands to reason that he could also excel here against competition that is predominantly older than him. Mature and wise well beyond his years, there's nothing that he can't do when he steps over the boards, but if anything really pops for him it will probably be his big-time shot.

Nate Danielson — C/W

This World Juniors will be Danielson's debut at the major international level, and if he's not excited yet about playing on the bigger ice surfaces of Europe then he probably will be shortly after the puck is dropped. He's a magnificent skater and incredible athlete, and he'll really get to show those attributes off with all the newfound time and space that he'll get to work with. He regularly kills penalties with the Wheat Kings back in Brandon, and if Canada extends those duties for him — which they likely will — then he'll be a shorthanded scoring threat every time he's on the job thanks to his straight-line speed. He's another plug-and-play forward who could see his usage and linemates fluctuate depending on what his coaches need in any given moment.

Maveric Lamoureux — D

A 6-foot-7 giant with legitimately high-end skating ability, Lamoureux could be an enormous headache for opposing forwards all tournament. With his long stick and fluid crossovers he's uniquely equipped on international ice to keep the play to the outside and prevent high-danger chances while defending off-puck. He will also have more breathing room to move or skate the puck out of his zone when he does get it, which can often be an issue for him back home. He's a point-per-game player right now in the QMJHL, but his role with Canada will undoubtedly be as one of the go-to defenders for penalty killing, tough match-ups and defending late leads. He'll be at his most effective if he can keep his game simple.

Tristan Luneau — D

The reigning QMJHL Defenseman of the Year, Luneau is going to be a minute-munching monster for the Canadians because he's superbly versatile, poised and responsible. There's a quiet brilliance to how he plays, always calculating the play in front of him as it unfolds and then making the corresponding correct decisions, which makes a huge difference for whatever team he's on even if it doesn't get him into many highlight packages. The fact that he's been playing professional hockey all season, split between the NHL and the AHL, will help close the gap of an advantage that is always held by the top European nations. This event could be a huge coming-out party for a player who isn't a well-known hockey name yet but will be eventually.

Denton Mateychuk — D

Mateychuk has been a powerplay monster this season in the WHL, with 15 of his 35 points (in just 24 games) coming on the man advantage, so you can expect him to be Canada's blueline anchor in these situations in this tournament. That top unit in Moose Jaw has some elite forwards on it, so he'll already know how to strike the right balance between when to be the focal point and when to defer to his mates. It might take him a few games to get fully comfortable with that kind of pressure, however, as his only international experience to date came in a limited role as a 16-year-old at the 2021 IIHF U18s. The quality of penalty killers opposing him will be something new.

Fraser Minten — C/W

This will be Minten's first time donning the maple leaf, but don't expect him to get nervous or overwhelmed — if someone plays a few games with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a teenager then everything else in their hockey-playing lives probably seems like small potatoes in comparison. Team Canada's locker room is his fourth different one this season, going from Toronto back to the WHL's Kamloops Blazers before getting dealt to the Saskatoon Blades shortly after, so he should be able to gel with his unfamiliar new teammates a little more quickly and easily than most, which could be a huge benefit in such a short tournament. Expect to see him on the ice a lot during important, white-knuckle moments, especially defensive situations.

Matthew Poitras — C/W

It came as a surprise that the Stanley Cup-contending Boston Bruins allowed Poitras to leave them and join this roster, considering he's already scored 13 points as an NHL rookie and hasn't looked out of place at all through 27 games. But hey, Hockey Canada will happily take the early Christmas gift. It's an especially welcome addition because he brings well-rounded offensive expertise to a squad that might have a tougher time scoring goals than fans usually expect. He wasn't part of the selection camp or warm-up games, though, so he will likely need some time before he can fully adjust and get his feet under him. Once that does happen, he could turn out to be Canada's ace in the hole, as no other country will get to utilize a prospect with this much NHL experience.

Carson Rehkopf — C/W

Rehkopf has been a goal-scoring machine this season with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, amazingly maintaining a goal-per-game pace and currently leading the entire league with 31 tallies. He can fill the back of the net in a variety of ways, but it's his ability to finish from distance that will likely be the most valuable for the type of hockey that we will see. A plus skater, he will be able to keep up just fine if things turn into a track meet, and he'll be one of the few Canadian forwards who is a serious threat to single-handedly score off the rush. But if his coaches need him to assume a bottom six role instead that shouldn't be an issue, as he did that job very well at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Matt Savoie — W

Don't be surprised if Savoie comes out of this tournament as its leading scoring, or at least comes close. Not only does he possess the pure skill and clever creativity needed to be a premier offensive generator in best-on-best competition, he's one of Canada's best options for times when they need a goal the most. Whether it's a key powerplay or a race to tie the game, his name is going to be one of the first bodies to come over the boards. He is an expert at playing with — and elevating — talented linemates, but he also has the ability to provide a spark all by himself if he has to, and he usually knows the right path to take in the heat of the moment.

Sleeper:

Mathis Rousseau — G

Two NHL entry drafts have come and gone without Rousseau hearing his name get called, but the third time could be the charm if he backstops Canada to another World Junior gold medal. How's that for motivation? Now, it needs to be said that the starting job on this team is still up for grabs overall and could be subject to change at any moment. That said, Rousseau has the best club stats coming in, and he backstopped Halifax to the QMJHL final last season, so he's the slight favourite to be The Guy come the medal rounds. He's a quick, focused, consistent goalie who does a great job reading the play and stopping the shots from distance that he sees, and his defenders should be able to help create that environment for him. Is he up to the task? A nation's hockey hopes might depend on it.