Servac Petrovsky – McKeen's Hockey

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Ten Prospects Who Elevated Their Stock

Jared Brown — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:22:42 +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

The World Juniors is a chance for NHL fans to watch some of their team's top prospects take center stage in what is arguably the most entertaining hockey tournament of the year. USA came in as favourites and they left champions, going a perfect 7-0. It’s important to note that this short tournament does not define how a prospect will pan out as an NHL player. We’ve seen players look like rockstars at the World Juniors but struggle to make an impact in the NHL and vice versa. There have been players who have had average-poor tournaments but go on to be all-stars in the show (Brayden Point comes to mind). With that all being said though, players at this tournament have the opportunity to showcase their talent and tools. In this article, I mention ten NHL-affiliated prospects who I believe elevated their stock at becoming NHLers based on the skill sets they showed at this year’s World Juniors. This list consists of four first, two second, two third, one fifth, and one sixth-round picks. The St. Louis Blues have two prospects represented.

Gavin Brindley - USA (Columbus Blue Jackets 2023 2nd round, 34th overall)

I’m not sure there was a player at this year’s World Juniors who played with more pace than Brindley. With or without the puck, he’s got outstanding speed and is always keeping his feet moving. Tenacious in his puck pursuit, opposing defenders had nightmares on their puck retrievals when he was on the ice. He’s even willing to play physical even though he’s only 5’9”. He never gives up on pucks and doesn’t ever appear to run out of stamina. He was a highly effective penalty killer for the Americans due to the way he stops and starts so quickly. He scored an eye-popping individual effort goal on the penalty kill in their round-robin game against Slovakia. He showed better finishing ability at this tournament than he did in his draft year. Showcased a lightning-quick release in stride and a swift one-timer. Offensively, Brindley has the tools to be an electric play-creator. He’s a high-end puck handler who combines his elite agility with it to adjust his puck protection to control the puck in tight and open ice. Brindley displays solid awareness and will rarely force a play if the pass is not there to make. While he still needs to physically mature and Columbus shouldn’t be rushing him into the NHL, everything else in his game is NHL-ready and could be a high-energy impact forward for the Jackets for years to come.

Rutger McGroarty - USA (Winnipeg Jets 2022 1st round, 14th overall)

What McGroarty further showcased is that he’s the ultimate competitor and a terrific leader. Rutger was stretchered off the ice back in mid-November and was hospitalized for roughly a week-and-a-half to two weeks. But you wouldn’t have known that when you watched him play at this tournament. He’s not flashy but he does have some quick hands and a solid offensive skillset. He can drive his line with his off-puck competitiveness and be a great complement to a couple of skilled linemates with his above-average finishing touch around the front of the net and in the slot. McGroarty doesn’t take a single shift off. He skates hard and plays with an insane amount of drive to disrupt defenders on retrievals and their breakouts. He’s strong on his stick and has that power forward play style where he can overpower his opponents on the puck. I’ll add another impressive part to his tournament was that he took no minor penalties while maintaining his hard-nosed, aggressive play. Rutger lives for big games and knows how to get his team fired up and will be a fan favourite in Winnipeg. He’s going to have a long NHL career, whether that’s playing in a top-six role with skilled linemates complementing them or being a bottom-six-character player.

Trey Augustine - USA (Detroit Red Wings 2023 2nd round, 41st overall)

Augustine maybe wasn’t the best goaltender of the tournament, but he did outduel Hugo Havelid in the Gold Medal game. In USA’s semi-final matchup against Finland, Augustine had to make numerous high danger saves due to his team's shaky defensive coverage. Finland easily could’ve had more than just two goals in the first period and although his team spotted him with ten goals in their game against Slovakia, he churned out a great performance with 38 saves on 40 shots. What I saw out of Augustine was the technical skills and athleticism an NHL starter needs to have. He’s not a big goalie but he pushes off his edges quickly and has great lateral quickness in the crease. He keeps his arms tight to his body when moving side-to-side and has solid control over the positioning of his hands. The majority of goals that got by him were deflections going through his legs (he will want to improve his stick positioning to cover his fivehole better) and he didn’t give up soft goals (maybe one against Finland). He’s got the poise in his positioning to make calming saves for his team and then the flexibility and athleticism to make timely saves. Another aspect of his play that I like is that he never looks rattled.

Theo Lindstein - Sweden (St. Louis Blues 2023 1st round, 29th overall)

Lindstein didn’t initially make Sweden’s roster until a late injury to one of their defencemen on Christmas Eve earned him the call to represent his country. He started the tournament as the seventh defenceman for Sweden but got better and better with each passing game en route to being named to the tournament All-Star team. Offensively, he led the way in tournament scoring by a defenceman with eight points in seven games. He showed glimpses of what St. Louis scouts saw in him to take him in the first round of last year's NHL draft. He’s a mobile blueliner who handles the puck fluidly in all directions and is willing to activate to add a layer of offence from the backend. He shoots strategically from the point, looking to shoot when there’s a screen or shooting for a tip. Lindstein was very patient moving the puck in transition, making accurate passes into the neutral zone. He also displayed improved defensive instincts and engagement from my previous international tournament viewings of him. He uses his skating to close gaps quickly and times his stick checks efficiently. He helped mask his defence partner getting beaten or caught out of position on zone entries by playing assertively and closing on the puck carrier. I also thought he was stronger in board battles and would use his body more to break up cycles rather than relying on his stick checking.

Noah Ostlund - Sweden (Buffalo Sabres 2022 1st round, 16th overall)

Tournament MVP Lekkerimaki was the main feature point of Sweden’s offence, and he delivered. However, I thought Ostlund was just as dangerous all tournament long as his fellow countryman. Ostlund is a lethal transitional threat with his combination of speed, agility, and high-end puck-handling skills. He’s incredibly hard to strip off the puck through the neutral zone as he’s constantly scanning the ice carrying the puck, knowing when to dispose of the puck, and when to take advantage of the open ice. The elusiveness in his skating is top-notch. He’s able to cut and change directions swiftly or accelerate at defenders and use his quick hands to deke around them in stride. The bigger ice surface definitely benefited Ostlund’s game as he loves to possess the puck and be the play driver for his line, and he was able to do just that. He was a one-man zone entry machine all tournament long for his team. As he’d often do circling around the offensive zone, his scanning habits were on display along with his playmaking vision to find seam passes. He’s great at making cross-body passes. Ostlund is a dangerous setup artist as he’ll swiftly evade a check along the boards and then find an open man either in the slot or on the weak side of the play.

Maveric Lamoureaux - Canada (Arizona Coyotes 2022 1st round, 29th overall)

Lamoureaux was a horse on the backend for Canada. He logged the second-most minutes on Canada (only behind his defence partner Mateychuk) but the brunt of Maveric’s minutes was served to shut down other teams’ top lines and utilized heavily on the penalty kill. I will put myself on record saying I did not like Arizona drafting Lamreaux as high as they did in the 2022 NHL draft. After watching him at these recent World Juniors, I can understand why they did. You would think for a player his size that his skating is a downfall to his game, but it isn’t at all. He’s smooth on his boots skating backwards, pivots without losing balance or momentum, and isn’t a poor puck carrier by any means. His mobility was no issue for the bigger sheet of ice and you often never saw him getting beat wide. Part of that is also due to his insane length that he’s so effective at using to force players to the boards before he rubs them off the puck. He showed solid poise waiting that extra second for his teammates to get into his passing lane before dishing the puck off. He distributed the puck accurately underneath sticks and in small spaces. He’s able to make those tough passes in the defensive zone to help exit the zone. Lamoureaux possesses the defensive skillset to be a top-four shutdown defenceman.

Servac Petrovsky - Slovakia (Minnesota Wild 6th round, 185th overall)

Petrovsky was terrific for Slovakia in their opening game of the tournament against Czechia, finishing with an impressive stat line of five goals and nine points in five games. His production was terrific, but what really impressed me was his mature play. He doesn’t overexert himself in plays or overextend on his shifts. Petrovsky is a positionally sound two-way forward who stays above pucks and anticipates where the play is going to cut it off. In the defensive zone, he provides close puck support in downlow battles and prioritizes protecting the middle of the ice (sometimes can get caught puck-watching too often though). He’s an active penalty killer who cuts off lanes and reloads back in position quickly. He’s not going to get in and finish his checks. Instead, he does a terrific job of using his anticipation at both ends of the ice to pick off passes. He does a good job of retrieving pucks in the corners, turning away from pressure, and making a quick pass. Great puck control and quick hands to make plays along the boards in tight. Petrovsky is not the fastest of skaters, impacting his puck carrying abilities. However, he makes up for it with quick and smart decisions when moving the puck in transition. He’s got the tools to become a solid bottom-six pro who can be used on the penalty kill and sparingly on the powerplay.

Marek Alscher - Czechia (Florida Panthers 2022 3rd round, 93rd overall)

Alscher wasn’t on my radar heading into the tournament. Still, I really liked his overall two-way game and pro tools to become an effective pro someday. The Florida Panthers are looking to emulate the Vegas Golden Knights's defence core with big, rangy, mobile defencemen. Alscher fits that makeup to a tee. At 6’3 and close to 200 pounds, he showcased his size and physical strength advantage in the dirty areas of his own end. He kept his gaps tight man-on-man and even when players tried to pull up on him with a hard stop, he didn’t let them out of his range. Plays physical along the boards as you’d expect. His agility is solid and doesn’t look sluggish or slow coming out of a stop or standstill. The one area of his game I was most impressed with was his decision-making with the puck. He showed great poise handling the puck along the blueline and would on occasion activate down the boards. Alscher is a smooth passer, he keeps pucks flat and doesn’t throw grenades up to his forwards. He ended the tournament held off the scoresheet, but he made a lasting impression on me of a player who has the physical tools and hocket smarts to potentially crack the NHL one day.

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki - Finland (St. Louis Blues 2022 3rd round, 73rd overall)

I thought Kaskimaki was an underrated player for his line. He’s not a dynamic skater but has strong strides to propel himself quickly in straight lines. He can be a heavy forechecker and lay the body on defenders. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty and I’m sure Blues fans will love hearing that. Great balance on his skates to fend off players and maintain control of the puck. Impressive slot passer who made plays underneath and through defenders to set up scoring chances for his teammates. Kaskimaki displayed comfort in making passes off his backhand and accuracy with them. He regularly showcased his above-average vision throughout this tournament. He quickly gets his head up when the puck is on his stick in transition or when along the boards in the offensive zone to survey his passing options. In his draft year, he was primarily a shoot-first player but he played mostly as a pass-first winger for his line at this tournament. That being said, Kaskimaki is still smart with his off-puck positioning in the offensive zone. He looks to find soft spots in coverage to get his heavy shot off (as we saw on Finland’s third goal in the Quarterfinals against Slovakia) or goes to the front of the net to battle and make himself available for a tip.

Otto Salin - Finland (Los Angeles Kings 2022 5th round, 148th overall)

Salin battled injuries in his draft year, but it was nice to see him return to form in this tournament. Frankly, it wasn’t even close as to who was the best puck moving defenceman for Finland. Salin cleanly broke the puck out of his zone on almost every single one of his attempts. I loved his instincts to drag the forechecker behind his net before quickly accelerating around and separating himself from them. He possesses the speed to carry pucks out of his zone. Salin accelerates with linear crossovers on his carries. He likes to throw in head fakes and make no-look passes, which gives his breakout passes great deception. Salin completes passes through his opponents’ triangles with relative ease. He’s always moving in the offensive zone, walking the blueline to open up space, and pinching down the boards to keep pucks in. Don’t underestimate him for being a “soft” defender just because he’s 5’11”. While not a heavy hitter, he uses his body to close out attackers along the boards and engages physically. It’s a tall climb for Salin to make the NHL considering he’s an “average” sized defenceman who isn’t incredibly talented offensively. Still, he’s a fantastic puck mover and doesn’t mind getting dirty and play physical.

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.

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

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Team Slovakia

Matej Deraj — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 16:26:27 +0000

Slovakia is possibly sending its best-ever World Juniors squad to Sweden. A total of eleven drafted players, highlighted by three first-round picks and four second-rounders, are surely going to do some damage and upset bigger teams. However, the absence of both Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec will hurt the team's chances to medal, but the Slovaks are definitely the dark horse of this tournament.

Slovakia is bringing fifteen players with previous WJC experience, including last year's Best Goaltender, Adam Gajan, who will be relied on heavily again. The highest-drafted goalie of the 2023 NHL Draft needs to be in the same form as his last World Juniors should Slovakia go past the quarterfinals.

Slovakia’s main weapon is on offense – Slovakia has nine drafted forwards selected in the last two drafts, including Dalibor Dvorský (#10 in 2023), Sam Honzek (#16, 2023), Filip Mešár (#26, 2022), Martin Mišiak (#55, 2023), or Adam Sýkora (#63, 2022). The unusual presence of star players and solid depth should help Slovakia score a lot of goals.

However, the defence is going to miss Šimon Nemec terribly. The Devils' young star was supposed to be the 1D, able to play tough minutes against all opponents and lead the first power-play unit. All of these roles should belong to Maxim Štrbák now, the Sabres' second-round pick (#45) in the last NHL Draft. Štrbák is probably the only standout defenseman on the Slovak blue line, except for, maybe,16-year-old Luka Radivojevič, who is going to turn some heads in the tournament. His role should be limited, but don't be surprised if he hops onto the second power-play unit. The 2025 eligible is a smart and extremely skilled offensive D-man but needs to polish his defensive game and overall strength.

The Slovaks open up the tournament on December 26th in a heated match versus their biggest rival, Czechia. The winner should have a strong chance to clinch the 2nd spot in Group B. Slovaks continue the round-robin stage with games against Switzerland (Dec 27), Norway (Dec 29), and the USA (Dec 31). An interesting fun fact is they play every group stage game at noon.

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK - DECEMBER 30: Dalibor Dvorsky #15 of Slovakia battles for position against Dans Locmelis #11 of Latvia in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Avenir Centre on December 30, 2022 in Moncton, New Brunswick. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

10 to Watch plus a Sleeper

Filip Mešár, RW/C

After a mediocre D+1 season in the OHL, Mešár was already labelled as a bust by many impatient Canadiens fans. However, the 2022 first-round pick is having a fantastic D+2 season so far with 32 points (13 goals + 19 assists) in 20 matches with the Kitchener Rangers. Mešár is a quick and agile forward able to play both RW and C. He's smart, speedy, and has a sneaky good shot. The expected leader of the Slovak offense should be the biggest star and the team's best forward. Mešár led Slovakia in scoring at the last tournament with six points (2+4) and is expected to repeat in Sweden too.

Dalibor Dvorský, C

Dvorský had a tough start to the season in Sweden. He began the year with IK Oskarshamn in the highest division (SHL) but failed to score a point in ten matches and was quickly demoted to the 13th forward. The St. Louis Blues intervened and sent their most promising prospect to North America. Dvorský is currently tearing up the OHL with 34 points in 20 games. He has a lethal shot and continues to trouble goalies with it, scoring 18 goals so far. His goal per game ratio is the second highest in the OHL, trailing only Carson Rehkopf. Dvorský is another brilliant offensive weapon Team Slovakia has.

Adam Gajan, G

One of the best stories of the last World Juniors, Gajan wasn't initially invited to Team Slovakia's squad. Still, he later ended up on the roster as a last-minute call and the No. 3 goalie. However, the tournament went extremely well for him, and Gajan ended up taking the Best Goaltender award. He was the main reason Slovakia almost upset the gold-winning Canadian squad in the quarterfinals. Slovaks hope Gajan will be able to replicate last year's performance. If the Blackhawks prospect is in top form, it's quite likely Slovakia won't see another quarterfinals exit. His saves will be extremely important for the offensively minded team with a somewhat average defence.

Sam Honzek, LW/C

Honzek missed a significant part of the current season, having played only five games before the tournament. Moreover, the Flames prospect suffered a significant injury at the last World Juniors too, so he's looking for a rebound tournament this year. Honzek has a big body (6´4”) and plays the game with a ton of skill; he's very mobile for a player of his size and has soft hands. The first European captain of the Vancouver Giants in history also possesses decent leadership qualities. He's yet to score a point in his World Juniors career and should be very motivated to show his top performance.

Maxim Štrbák, D

The expected absence of Šimon Nemec means that Maxim Štrbák will have a lot of responsibility as the projected 1D for Slovakia. However, he is no stranger to that role – he led Team Slovakia as captain at the last U18 World Junior Championships and handled it pretty well. The Sabres prospect is a well-rounded, two-way defenseman who is able to play on both special teams and should run the first power-play unit. He plays hard, enjoys the physical aspect of the game, and makes opponents' forwards' lives miserable. Nevertheless, it will be a big test for him and the whole Slovak defence to see how they can keep up with top young offensive prospects.

Adam Sýkora, LW/RW

An energetic, agile forward whose engine never stops running, Adam Sýkora is a unique young forward, mainly due to his approach to the game. He loves blocking shots, throwing hits, and sacrificing his body for the team in general. His positive attitude makes him a great locker room presence. It'd be foolish to expect huge point production from Sýkora, who's more of a bottom-six forward than an offensive dynamo, but he's had a good recent streak in the AHL, scoring nine points in ten games. The Rangers prospect is having a solid rookie season in the A, and the call-up to the first team might come sooner than expected.

Martin Mišiak, W/C

Another Blackhawks second-rounder on the team, Mišiak is a confident and skilled forward who´s able to play all three positions. Mišiak has grown into an effective two-way player; he uses his size (6´2”) well, finishes his checks, and displays solid offensive skills. After a one-and-a-half-season in the Slovak top-tier league, Mišiak went to the USHL and contributed to the Youngstown Phantoms' title. This year, he's playing in the OHL with the Erie Otters, who selected him 1st overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft. Mišiak should provide solid second-wave scoring for Team Slovakia. He's going to play in his third World Juniors.

Alex Čiernik, LW/RW

The expectations were higher for Alex Čiernik at his last World Juniors tournament, so the Flyers prospect is also looking for a bounce back this year. However, Čiernik suffered a concussion three weeks before the tournament, so don't be surprised if he isn't in top form. Either way, the skilled and nifty forward should help Slovakia with his offensive instincts and years-built chemistry with Dalibor Dvorský. Čiernik is mainly an offensively-minded undersized forward, who has a solid shot and provides great value on the power-play. He certainly doesn't love the physical game, and his form is questionable after the concussion, but the young Flyer will do anything to help his team win.

Juraj Pekarčík, LW/RW

The Blues' third-round pick in the last NHL Draft (#76) would have been a star on most Slovak U20 teams, but the current offensive strength might send him to a bottom-six role. Pekarčík was a player I'd been high on for his whole draft year, and he stood up to everyone at the U18 WJC. He's a big (6´2”), strong winger with solid speed and great playmaking abilities. He left for the WJC camp with a 10-game active point streak in the USHL and led the league in both PPG (1.5) and assists (22). The Blues might have found a true gem in Pekarčík.

Servác Petrovský, C/LW

Another drafted forward who should provide Slovakia with offensive qualities, Petrovský has already played at three different World Juniors (including one cancelled tournament) and is one of the most experienced Slovak players on this team. He's a versatile, two-way forward with an above-average shot who has a bit of an edge to his game. The Wild prospect will be important on both special teams. He´s been criticized in the past for not capitalizing on his scoring opportunities in the U20 National Team, so a revenge tour for Petrovský definitely wouldn't hurt Slovak chances to meet their higher expectations this year.

Sleeper: Peter Repčík, C

The only undrafted player who´s been able to get a top-nine role on this Slovak team. Peter Repčík has always played well in the National Team, and the expectations are quite high for the 19-year-old forward, who scored six points at the last tournament. However, he's flying under the radar for people outside of Slovakia since he hasn't been drafted and never been a true NHL prospect. On the other hand, another great tournament from him might change that. The expected 1C center is a feisty, two-way player who might play a much bigger role than more shiny names in the end. He´s been on a nine games point streak in the QMJHL and his game should translate well to a bigger stage.

2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAM PREVIEW – SLOVAKIA

Matej Deraj — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 16:34:58 +0000

TEAM SLOVAKIA PREVIEW

The Slovaks hoped for a successful 2022 tournament, but their ambitions were crushed. First, the World Juniors in December were cancelled due to rising covid cases and insufficient restrictions by the IIHF. The federation planned a new tournament in the summer, bringing Slovakia no luck again. A dozen of crucial players, including the most talented and experienced, couldn´t attend it. The decimated team had a horrendous run with only one shootout win against Latvia (3-2), but two debacles (11-1 vs. Canada and 9-3 vs. Finland). The Slovaks didn´t advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2013. Now, they´re looking for a bounce back.

Luckily for Slovakia, they haven´t lost many significant players before the WJC this time. Without a doubt, Juraj Slafkovský will be missed, but his performance in the NHL meant his release hadn´t been anticipated. Another notable omission is a Golden Knights prospect Jakub Demek (injured). The third talented player who won´t attend this year´s tournament is Ondrej Molnár, who was involved in a brawl while participating in a high school floorball tournament and hurt his opponent.

Apart from the aforementioned offensive trio, Slovakia is bringing a young, talented, fun to watch team. The two expected leaders are last year´s first round picks, Šimon Nemec (#2) and Filip Mešár (#26). Nemec will have a ton of ice time in defence; he´ll play in all situations and use his international and professional experience. Mešár is the projected scoring leader for Team Slovakia. He didn´t have the easiest time adjusting to the OHL´s Kitchener Rangers, but he´s been producing well recently.

Slovakia boasts a lot of talent for the upcoming draft, including Dalibor Dvorský, Samuel Honzek, Maxim Štrbák, and Alex Čiernik. They are all first two rounds candidates. The biggest question mark is in the net. The expected starter Matej Marinov is excellent in the USHL, but he´s not proven at the international U20 level. The goalie always plays a massive role in Slovakia´s success; if Marinov or any of his backups play well, the Slovaks will fight for the 3^rd spot in the group and try to upset some of the bigger teams.

10 TO WATCH

RED DEER, ALBERTA - DECEMBER 26: USA vs Slovakia preliminary round action at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at WP Centrium on December 26, 2021 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

ŠIMON NEMEC, (NJD) D

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 HK Nitra (Svk) 39 1 25 26 20

2022-23 Utica (AHL) 22 3 7 10 4

Nemec will be the key blueliner for Team Slovakia and is likely to be named captain. His experience from the Men´s World Championships, the Olympics and three professional seasons will come in handy. The #2 overall pick in the last NHL Draft has spent the whole 2022-23 season with the Utica Comets in the AHL so far. He´s nearly a 0.5 PPG player, which is not bad for an 18-year-old defenseman who´s never played in North America before. Nemec is an extremely smart two-way defenseman who loves to join the attack and create offence. He has great hands and vision and can withstand physical play. He´ll be the prime powerplay option for Team Slovakia and arguably one of the best defensemen of the whole tournament.

FILIP MEŠÁR, (MTL) C/RW

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 HK Poprad (Svk) 37 8 8 16 8

2022-23 Kitchener (OHL) 17 10 12 22 4

As expected, Mešár was sent to the OHL to adjust to the North American ice and style of play before the season, despite having played two years professionally in Slovakia. The Montréal Canadiens´ first round pick (#26) from the last draft had an astonishing first two games in the juniors, scoring three goals and adding three assists. He´s slowed down since then a bit, but he seems to have found his fire again with an active streak of four two-point games in a row before leaving for the WJC's. Mešár is a smallish center who´s mostly played on the right wing in the last years. He has smooth hands, quick feet and great hockey IQ. He thinks the game on a different level, has great vision and an underrated shot. He´s the projected biggest star in Slovakia´s offense.

Zion Nybeck of Sweden and Dalibor Dvorsky of Slovakia during the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Sweden and Slovakia on December 27, 2021 in Red Deer.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN / kod JM / JM0248

DALIBOR DVORSKÝ, (2023) C

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 AIK (Swe Jr.) 33 20 20 40 43

2022-23 AIK (Swe-2) 21 4 4 8 10

Dvorský is the leader of another very strong Slovak draft class. He´s expected to hear his name very early at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, currently projected as a top 10 pick. Dvorský is an intelligent center who has a lot of desired offensive tools. His greatest asset is his shot; he is a fantastic powerplay option at the circle with his one-timer or wrist shot. Dvorský has a couple of records under his belt already; he is the youngest player to score in the Slovak top tier league and the youngest player to ever appear at the World Juniors for Team Slovakia. The Slovaks will need his offensive skills and production, even though he recently hasn´t been scoring as many points as at the beginning of the season. Dvorský plays for the AIK in the second Swedish league at the club level as one of the youngest players in the league.

ADAM SÝKORA, (NYR) LW

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 HK Nitra (Svk) 46 10 7 17 6

2022-23 HK Nitra (Svk) 20 2 7 9 4

Sýkora made a gigantic jump in the last season; he went from being a late round draft candidate to a second round pick by the New York Rangers (#63). He´s already signed his ELC as well. Sýkora is playing his third season with HK Nitra in the Slovak top tier league and he´s one of the very few positives on the worst team in the league right now. He´s a tenacious two-way winger who especially excels in defensive parts of the game, such as playing on the penalty kill and blocking shots. Sýkora plays an aggressive style of game; he´s a relentless forchecker who always finishes his checks. He brings a lot of pro experience and he´ll be an important part of Team Slovakia, although his game is not mainly about scoring points.

SERVÁC PETROVSKÝ, (MIN) C

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Owen Sound (OHL) 65 28 26 54 28

2022-23 Owen Sound (OHL) 27 14 14 28 8

Petrovský is still a relatively underrated player and one of the potential steals of the 2022 draft. He was selected in the 6^th round (#185) by the Minnesota Wild, despite having been ranked much higher. Petrovský is a true two-way center who plays well on both powerplay and penalty kill. He´s a bit undersized (5´10”), but doesn´t shy away from physical play. He displays a very solid shot, but he can also create plays with his passing. Petrovský is scoring on a PPG rate in his second year with the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL. He´s scored three hat tricks so far; he´ll have a chance to prove his scoring touch with Team Slovakia that could definitely use some of his goals too.

SAMUEL HONZEK, (2023) LW/C

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Dukla Trenčín (Svk) 49 10 4 14 8

2022-23 Vancouver (WHL) 31 17 26 43 14

Currently one of the best rookies in the CHL, Honzek´s having a fantastic year with the Vancouver Giants. He´s leading the league in rookie scoring and his team in points by a wide margin. Having played one full season with men in the Slovak top tier league, he had been anticipated to do well in the juniors, but his scoring streak has surprised a lot of people. Honzek should have a prime position on the Slovak team, likely in the top-six and one of the powerplay units. He´s working his way up to the first round of various pre-draft rankings, but not only due to his production. Honzek has improved a lot since the last year; he´s mainly worked on his skating, which had always been a bit of an issue. He´s always able to find an open spot and waits for the pass, but he also creates a lot of chances for his teammates and uses his frame (6´3”) well to protect the puck.

ALEX ČIERNIK, (2023) LW/RW

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Södertälje (Swe Jr.) 43 20 27 47 30

2022-23 Södertälje (Swe-2) 9 1 2 3 0

Čiernik is an undersized (5´10“) winger who moves well and creates a lot of danger in the offensive zone. He likes to play with the puck on his stick and makes efficient passes; he´s undoubtebly more of a playmaker than a shooter. Just like Dalibor Dvorský, Čiernik mostly plays in the second Swedish division. He´s a smallish, skilled forward who is projected as a candidate for the opening rounds of the 2023 NHL Draft. Čiernik has great chemistry with Dvorský and another 2023 prospect Ondrej Molnár; however, Molnár is not attending the World Juniors this year. On the other hand, brining at least the Dvorský-Čiernik duo and putting them on the same line could definitely be something the Slovaks can benefit from.

MAXIM ŠTRBÁK, (2023) D

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Jokerit (Fin Jr.) 39 1 7 8 26

2022-23 Sioux Falls (USHL) 21 3 9 12 16

The most promising defenseman on Team Slovakia not named Šimon Nemec, Maxim Štrbák, was arguably the best Slovak defenseman at the horrendous summer World Juniors. Štrbák is a big (6´2”), more defensively minded D-man, who uses his body well and plays a physical game. He cleans his crease well and doesn´t mind laying big hits and getting into scuffles. Štrbák joined the USHL before the season and he seems to be playing well. He has scored twelve points (3+9) in twenty-one games for the Sioux Falls Stampede. Štrbák is another 2023 prospect who could make it to the early rounds; he´s big, right-handed and a strong presence at both ends, which are all valuable traits. He should have a top-four role on Team Slovakia this year.

MATEJ MARINOV, (UnDrafted) G

YEAR TEAM GP W L GAA SV%

2021-22 Fargo (USHL) 19 9 6 3.47 0.885

2022-23 Fargo (USHL) 12 10 0 1.87 0.928

The expected starter in the net for Team Slovakia is Matej Marinov. He has never played at the World Juniors before, so the expectations are different, but he´s been having a stellar season so far. Marinov has been superb in the USHL; he´s leading the league in both GAA (1.87) and SV% (0.928) and hasn´t lost a game in regulation yet. The goalie´s performance always plays a tremendous role in Slovakia´s success at any tournament, so they certainly hope Marinov can replicate his success from the USHL this season. He´s a smaller (6´0”) goalie, similar to Šimon Latkóczy, who´d been Slovakia´s starter at the last three tournaments. Just like Latkóczy, Marinov is quick and agile in the crease.

MARTIN MIŠIAK, (2023) RW

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Nové Zámky (Svk) 46 4 6 10 4

2022-23 Nové Zámky (Svk) 23 0 7 7 6

Mišiak was a surprising name on the Slovak roster at the last tournament, but he played well when given a chance. He´s a big forward (6´2”) who´s improved his physical game tremendously; he throws a lot more bodychecks, finishes his checks and plays on the edge. He protects the puck well and has solid hands. Mišiak is still waiting for his first goal of the season in the Slovak top tier league, but he´s been playing well on a strong Nové Zámky team. He´s skilled and confident with the puck. He´s a nice addition for the Slovak team to the middle-six formations. Mišiak is a 2023 prospect too; he´s more of a middle rounds prospect, but he could sneak into the early rounds, if he continues to improve his game.

SURPRISE PLAYER

ADAM ŽLNKA, (ARI) RW

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS PIM

2021-22 Sioux Falls (USHL) 10 1 3 4 19

2022-23 Sioux Falls (USHL) 23 3 8 11 4

Žlnka has been flying under the radar despite his undoubtable potential. He had a serious injury last year and only played 10 games with Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. He´s back after the injury now; he´s played 23 games this season, earning 11 points (3+8). Žlnka was part of the silver 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup squad and he should thrive from being reunited with his peers. He´s not expected to be one of the offensive leaders, but he´s a perfect candidate for the surprise player. Žlnka is a great skater, he´s fast and skilled and can really shoot the puck. He should make the team and earn a middle-six role.

2022 NHL DRAFT REVIEW: WESTERN DIVISION – SCOUT’S FAVOURITES

Brock Otten, Will Scouch and Sam McGilligan — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 18:19:51 +0000

The 2022 NHL Draft has come and gone. Montreal was a gracious host to not only NHL organizations and selected players, but also to McKeens' very own Brock Otten, Will Scouch, and Sam McGilligan. The three were in Montreal and in the thick of the action last week. To recap the draft, the three have highlighted their favourite selections for both Conferences. Additionally, we have provided a listing of each team's selections, coinciding with where the McKeen's scouting team had them ranked

Brock Otten’s Favourite Selections

-In no particular order

Pavel Mintyukov of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

1. Pavel Mintyukov (ANA, #10)

I have said this a bunch on social media, on podcasts/radio hits, and in written work at McKeen’s; I truly believe that Mintyukov has the highest upside of any defender available this year. He is so innately skilled, and I think a lot of the issues he had defensively this year stemmed from team related usage issues (Saginaw just wasn’t great and struggled with injuries, forcing Mintyukov to play a ton).

Sam Rinzel (CHI, #25)

Speaking of upside, I also believe that Rinzel could be among the best defenders in this class in five years. He is a very raw talent, however what he can do offensively when he jumps up into the play is impressive. I think there is Brent Burns kind of potential here. He needs to learn how to use his size and mobility to be more consistent in the defensive zone, but that’s what College is for.

Ivan Zhigalov (COL, #225)

We ranked Zhigalov as one of the best goaltenders available this year and getting him with the final pick of the draft, when the Avs had only two picks this year, is outstanding. Look, Zhigalov is not perfect. But no goaltender in this class is. He has the athleticism and size to be an impact player on a night-to-night basis. Really curious to see how he does in the OHL next year with Kingston.

George Fegaras (DAL, #83)

I have made my like for Fegaras known in a bunch of different pieces this year and it is why we ranked him inside our Top 100 for the draft. He is a major long-term project. USHL next year, Cornell the next. He’s three or four years away from even truly showing what his high-end upside could be. However, there are some really interesting pieces to his game like his big point shot, penchant for the big hit, and his improving mobility from the right side.

Servac Petrovsky (MIN, #185)

The fact that Petrovsky fell this far is a head scratcher to me. He was a consistent performer for Owen Sound as a first year OHL player and was impactful in many different forms of usage. He is extremely versatile. His offensive upside may not be extremely high, but he does look great in transition and flashes the kind of creativity that suggests he may not have shown us what he is truly capable of with the puck on his stick.

Adam Ingram (NSH, #82)

Ingram may be a late birthday 2003, but he is one of the most physically immature players in this draft class. This helps to explain why he faded down the stretch in his first USHL season, which was his first year playing at a truly high level. He has a high-level shot, great instincts at both ends, and I think his skating ability will improve a lot over his collegiate career. This is a potential all situations top six forward.

David Goyette (SEA, #61)

I kind of figured that Goyette would end up being selected later than we had him ranked, but slipping this low was shocking. Kind of reminds me of when scouts let Jordan Kyrou slip out of the first too. Those two had similar strengths and similar concerns as draft eligible players. As the Wolves become a dominant team in the OHL, Goyette should be smack dab in the middle of it.

Tucker Robertson (SEA, #123)

Robertson was my favourite re-entry available this year. He was one of the highest scoring 2003 born players in the OHL this year, progressing better than many already NHL drafted players. He does so many things well. I think that he will eventually become one of the OHL’s best and most complete forwards and that Seattle will be very happy with his projection as a middle six contributor.

Daimon Gardner (VAN, #112)

This is very much a long-term project. What high school prospect isn’t? However, finding big centers with skill and decent skating are hard to find and you usually have to draft them a lot higher than this. He will play next year in the BCHL with Chilliwack before heading to Clarkson. At Clarkson, he will get a chance to play big minutes and could be the next face of that program.

Matyas Sapovaliv (VGS, #48)

Sapovaliv wasn’t always the most consistent in Saginaw this year, but he showed some really intriguing qualities and that made him one of my favourites from the OHL. I really like his on and off the puck intelligence/vision. I’m really curious to see how his game develops as his movement capabilities do.

Will Scouch’s Favourite Selections

Shane Wright (SEA, #4)

I don’t think Seattle really minds how this went down in Montreal. They get a player who could become one of the better transition centres in the draft and one of the most threatening offensive centres as well in Shane Wright. He slipped further than I thought he would, but Seattle now has my last two top rated players in the draft and between Wright and Beniers, they have an extremely strong foundation down the middle to work around.

Brad Lambert (WPG, #30)

It’d be dangerously off brand for me not to include Lambert in here somewhere. Look, I get the concerns, but I watched a lot of hockey, and Lambert going after some of the names that went as high as 15 or 20 picks higher left me a little bewildered. I really, really hope that Winnipeg knows what they may have with Lambert and look forward to him getting the reset he needs and starting a new journey.

Mattias Havelid (SJS, #45)

There are certainly concerns with Havelid’s likelihood of huge NHL success. He needs to diversify his offensive game, certainly improve his defensive coverage and physical strength, and he relies far too much on his admittedly good release on his shot to generate chances offensively. However, his skill, mobility on his feet and yes, his shot quality is awesome in combination. He’s a swing, but a fun one.

Jagger Firkus (SEA, #35)

I really thought that through everything, Jagger Firkus would have been taken somewhere in the first round. Some teams fell back on old habits avoiding the undersized scoring wizard, but Seattle took the plunge early on day 2. Firkus is skilled, agile, and has a great scoring release with a playmaker’s streak off the boards, doing so under pressure at times. He’s going to need to build a bit more of an escape gear and certainly get stronger, but he’s got huge offensive tools and could be a great supplement for someone like Shane Wright in the future.

Jordan Gustafson (VGK, #79)

Jordan Gustafson feels like a player where if his ability to generate speed and use the space he creates for himself, he could be a massive get at 79. He’s smart, adapts to pressure well, uses linemates effectively with a good sense of timing on the puck, and drove very good transition results in my tracking.

Adam Zlnka (ARZ, 204)

Honestly, outside of Logan Cooley at 3, the Arizona Coyotes’ most interesting pick came near the end of the draft. Zlnka scored at a huge rate in Slovakia, better than Adam Sykora as a teammate last year before joining the Sioux Falls Stampede. Unfortunately, an ACL injury put him out for the remainder of the season right when he seemed to be adjusting to the USHL, but he’s a highly skilled, offensive minded winger. I’ve seen this guy do spin-o-ramas on zone entries for crying out loud. He’s a ton of fun and I hope he works out over time now that he’s back playing at Arizona’s rookie camp.

Ty Nelson (SEA, #68)

I wasn’t shocked to see Nelson fall to 68, but when he’s the sixth player you draft, I think that’s great value. He’s a flawed defender with somewhat limited mobility to apply pressure and close gaps, but the tools are clearly there. He shoots like few other defenders, just shoots far too often. He’s a gifted puck carrier but controlling transitions through his passing was abysmal on paper. I’d love to see Nelson hit another gear and think that he’s a great buy low pick in the early third round.

Fabian Wagner (WPG, #175)

Wagner is probably the best example of a guy who once in a while has “holy moly” moments, then disappears for a while. There’s great skill and creativity with Wagner, and as much as he fell down my board as I watched him, 175 felt extremely late for him to go. Winnipeg is swinging for upside with Wagner, and I’ll have a keen eye on him.

Samuel Savoie (CHI, #81)

I have a lot of admiration for how Savoie plays. I think he was drafted really high for what he’s capable of, but he’s energetic, quick, and plays with a ton of pace. Controlling pucks at that pace and creating offense in possession isn’t quite there yet, but with time and development, there could be a neat pick up here for Chicago, even if it was a little high in my view.

Ryan Healey (MIN, #121)

I’ve watched Healey for two years and have always wondered how he hasn’t produced more. I love the skill, agility and fluid footwork, as well as the confidence Healey has to step into space and try to make plays. A player I had in my back pocket for a potential late round pick, Judd Brackett of course had to go out and pick him at the early ranges of where I’d consider taking a flyer on him. I’m a fan of his upside with the right encouragement and development.

Sam McGilligan’s Favourite Selections

(No order)

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - DECEMBER 26: Finland vs Germany preliminary round action at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 26, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

1: Brad Lambert (WPG, #30)

Surprise, surprise. Turns out Brad Lambert did fall after all. For the Jets, this is easily the best pick they could have made and it's not even close if you ask me. Regardless of what you think about his "hockey IQ" (it's really good by the way), the talent level is so far above every other player in this range that swinging on him here is the easiest decision one can make. He may arguably be the best skater outside of the NHL right now, and he has a set of hands that fully complement this mobility with zero wasted movement. There is legitimate 1C upside here and a third line floor on most teams. Best pick of the draft, easily.

2: Shane Wright (SEA, #4)

I mean, duh, right? Shane Wright being available at four felt like an impossibility moments before the draft started. It was likely the easiest pick any team had to make in the draft, but nonetheless, Seattle deserves credit for not overthinking things and taking the clear-cut best player available. Wright is extremely likely to be a top six center and the safest best to be a high-end player as the 2022 class can offer.

3: Liam Öhgren (MIN, #19)

Liam Öhgren being the last of the Djurgårdens' forwards to be drafted is not what I had envisioned prior to the draft. He's such a safe projection to an NHL team's middle six within just a few years that I thought he'd go higher just on that fact alone. Fortunately for Minnesota fans, Öhgren has upside far higher than just the middle six. He's brilliant, can play comfortably in both perimeter and middle ice, can manipulate to create both passing and shooting lanes and is highly competent in his own zone. His playstyle is so adaptable that he can fit alongside any offensive play drivers, regardless of their personal approach to the game. This was a very easy selection to make, and it's not surprising that the Wild nailed yet another draft pick.

4: Jack Hughes (LA, #52)

I am kind of surprised Jack Hughes was still available for LA to select in the first place. He's a highly mobile and active forward who showed he can adapt to higher pace hockey with ease. The toolkit and approach to the game are currently at a bit of a war with each other, as the toolkit boasts the upside of a top six guy but the actual implementation of it is currently being used in a bottom six fashion. But that's par for the course when you're this young making an adjustment to play in the NCAA, and I'm not sure it fully describes what he can be five years down the line. Either way, I think this was a great selection for a team without a first-round pick.

5: Joakim Kemell (NSH, #17)

This feels a bit funny to write because I believed Joakim Kemell was overvalued by many for a significant portion of the year; however, that only is a problem if Kemell goes top ten. Getting to draft Kemell at 17th overall? That's a huge win, and the Predators should be very happy with their new off-puck scorer. Kemell has a great sense for how play in the OZ will unfold, as well as great timing for knowing when to be in the right spot at the right time. He's an adaptable goal scorer who offers precision on his shot from awkward body positions. He's also quite the energetic forechecker as well. I don't think there's enough passing upside to warrant a selection higher than this, but 17 is a great spot for this type of player.

6: Jagger Firkus (SEA, #35)

No player rose up my final board more than Jagger Firkus did. Firkus possesses some of the best puck skills in the draft, demonstrating ridiculous levels of control starting at the very moment his stick makes contact with the puck upon reception. He's also one of the draft's best shooters, and has the mobility required to blend these two traits together to consistently gain access to middle ice to shoot and distribute. His smaller stature is the only reason he wasn't a day one pick, and I think a few teams are going to regret passing on him.

7: Ty Nelson (SEA, #68)

This shorter defender has the physicality, skating and skill to overcome his size deficit and become a truly dynamic PMD at the NHL level. Unfortunately, he isn't in a team environment right now where he gets to utilize these skills in such a way, and it makes it harder to project him to the NHL because his strengths aren't being fully realized. However, when you're picking in the third round, it's a risk worth taking when you're potentially getting a mobile top four guy. He also broke a puck in half so.. there's that.

8: Mattias Havelid (SJ, #45)

Mattias Havelid carries risk, but in the mid second that's more than okay. His defensive game needs to go up at least a few tiers in order to cleanly project, but there's enough there fundamentally that it isn't a ridiculous idea. Offensively, Havelid overly relies on a few patterns where almost all of them end in generating a shot lane for himself. His game is far from what it needs to be in the NHL, but at this point in the draft that can be said of most players. Not many offer the same upside he does.

9: David Goyette (SEA, #61)

I am kind of floored that Goyette fell this late in the draft? The bulk of his results come from clearly understanding how hockey is played within a team structure. He's the type of center that glues his line together through quick decision making and precise off-puck routing. Add a little bit more speed, physical durability and skill with the puck and I think Goyette projects rather cleanly as a third line center.

10: Christian Kyrou (DAL, #50)

Kyrou is as hilariously creative as one can find in a CHL defender this year, and it does not surprise me one bit that it was the Dallas Stars who decided to take a swing on him. His defensive game is far from consistent, let alone NHL worthy, and that might just be too large a hurdle for him to overcome in development… but if he does figure it out then Kyrou has serious top 4, PP potential.

2022 NHL DRAFT
Anaheim Ducks
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Pavel Mintyukov	D	10	11
Nathan Gaucher	C	22	43
Noah Warren	D	42	38
Tristan Luneau	D	53	29
Ben King	C	107	155
Connor Hvidston	C/W	139	HM
Michael Callow	W	154	HM
Vyacheslav Buteyets	G	174	NR

Arizona Coyotes
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Logan Cooley	C	3	2
Conor Geekie	C	11	14
Maveric Lamoureux	D	29	58
Artem Duda	D	36	57
Julian Lutz	W	43	52
Miko Matikka	W	67	176
Jeremy Langlois	D	94	135
Matthew Morden	D	131	211
Maksymilian Szuber	D	163	HM
Adam Zlnka	W	204	NR

Calgary Flames
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Topi Ronni	C	59	85
Parker Bell	W	155	186
Cade Littler	C	219	HM

Chicago Blackhawks
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Kevin Korchinski	D	7	18
Frank Nazar	C	13	12
Sam Rinzel	D	25	28
Paul Ludwinski	C/W	39	50
Ryan Greene	C	57	93
Gavin Hayes	W	66	59
Samuel Savoie	W	81	133
Aidan Thompson	C	90	NR
Dominic James	C	173	223
Nils Juntorp	W	188	NR
Riku Tohila	C	199	NR

Colorado Avalanche
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Chris Romaine	D	193	NR
Ivan Zhigalov	G	225	125
Dallas Stars
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Lian Bichsel	D	18	41
Christian Kyrou	D	50	86
George Fegaras	D	83	100
Gavin White	D	115	188
Maxim Mayorov	G	147	157
Matthew Seminoff	W	170	62

Edmonton Oilers
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Reid Schaefer	W	32	64
Samuel Jonsson	G	158	NR
Nikita Yevseyev	D	190	175
Joel Maatta	C	222	NR

Los Angeles Kings
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Jack Hughes	C	52	51
Kenny Connors	C	103	HM
Angus Booth	D	116	113
Otto Salin	D	148	67
Jared Wright	W	169	NR
Jack Sparkes	D	180	HM
Kaleb Lawrence	C	215	NR

Minnesota Wild
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Liam Ohgren	W	19	21
Danila Yurov	C/W	24	10
Hunter Haight	C	47	70
Rieger Lorenz	W	56	77
Mikey Milne	W	89	87
Ryan Healey	D	121	HM
David Spacek	D	153	92
Servac Petrovsky	C/W	185	117

Nashville Predators
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Joakim Kemell	W	17	7
Adam Ingram	C/W	82	49
Kasper Kulonummi	D	84	55
Cole O'Hara	W	114	NR
Graham Sward	D	146	222
Ben Strinden	C	210	NR

San Jose Sharks
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Filip Bystedt	C/W	27	60
Cameron Lund	C	34	65
Mattias Havelid	D	45	42
Michael Fisher	D	76	89
Mason Beaupit	G	109	160
Jake Furlong	D	140	154
Joey Muldowney	W	172	NR
Eli Barnett	D	195	NR
Reese Laubach	C	217	NR

Seattle Kraken
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Shane Wright	C	4	1
Jagger Firkus	W	35	20
Jani Nyman	W	49	47
Niklas Kokko	G	58	NR
David Goyette	C	61	27
Ty Nelson	D	68	46
Ben Macdonald	C	91	HM
Tyson Jugnauth	D	100	146
Tucker Robertson	C	123	120
Barrett Hall	C	164	NR
Kyle Jackson	C	196	HM

St. Louis Blues
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Jimmy Snuggerud	W	23	31
Aleksanteri Kaskimaki	W	73	74
Michael Buchinger	D	88	94
Arseni Koromyslov	D	120	79
Marc-Andre Gaudet	D	152	HM
Landon Sim	W	184	NR

Vancouver Canucks
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Jonathan Lekkerimaki	W	15	9
Elias Pettersson	D	80	152
Daimon Gardner	C	112	145
Ty Young	G	144	NR
Jackson Dorrington	D	176	150
Kirill Kudryavtsev	D	208	218

Vegas Golden Knights
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Matyas Sapovaliv	C	48	44
Jordan Gustafson	C	79	80
Cameron Whitehead	G	128	201
Patrick Guay	C	145	NR
Ben Hemmerling	W	177	107
Abram Wiebe	D	209	NR

Winnipeg Jets
2022 NHL Draft Selections:

Name	Position	NHL Selection	McKeen's Ranking
Rutger McGroarty	W	14	36
Brad Lambert	C	30	8
Elias Salomonsson	D	55	56
Danil Zhilkin	C	77	54
Garrett Brown	D	99	NR
Fabian Wagner	C/W	175	159
Domenic Divincentiis	G	207	NR

2022 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAM SLOVAKIA: Cinderella Hopeful with Previously Unseen Talent Depth

Matej Deraj — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 22:25:43 +0000

WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – SLOVAKIA: Cinderella Hopeful with Previously Unseen Talent Depth

Last year was mainly about gaining experience for Team Slovakia. The youngest team of the tournament with fourteen underagers, including three 16-year-olds, managed to beat Switzerland 1-0 on the opening night and reach the quarterfinals. This year, thirteen out of fourteen returnees are back, and they are not shy of having big dreams.

Slovakia is hoping to be the next Cinderella story. They should be a fun to watch team regardless if it works out or not; this team is young, offensive and energic with a total of four top prospects for the next two NHL Entry Drafts. With eight players who won silver at the summer Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the young Slovaks know the feeling of winning a medal and they wish to upset the favourites from the big five even more. Their preliminary group is tough (United States, Sweden, Russia and Switzerland), but play-offs do not seem unreachable for the Slovak team.

Goaltending

Šimon Latkóczy was a surprising starter last year. He played a tremendous ROLE in the Slovak quarterfinals advancement, getting a shutout in the first game and earning a Top 3 Player on the Team honor. After the World Juniors, he went on having a great year in the USHL with the Chicago Steel that ended up winning the championship. This year, Latkóczy´s starter status is without doubt. The other two goalies are Tomáš Boľo (2002-born) and Rastislav Eliaš (2004), who lack WJC experience.

Defense

The clear two key defensemen are already set. Blue Jackets prospect Samuel Kňažko has the experience from two World Juniors under his belt. He was Team Slovakia´s captain last year and if nothing unexpected happens, he should wear the C this year as well. Highly-touted Šimon Nemec will get a ton of minutes too. The 2022 NHL Draft top prospect had a great tournament last year and he should boost his performance even more. Apart from the obvious, 2023 eligible Maxim Štrbák should be a name to watch. The one of two 16-year-olds on the team has proven himself very well at his first U20 tournament in November.

Forwards

The scoring depth they possess has not been seen before for Team Slovakia, which usually struggles with scoring goals. They bring a lot of high-end talent in Juraj Slafkovský, Filip Mešár, Martin Chromiak and last but not least, Dalibor Dvorský. Slafkovský, Mešár and Chromiak should be the main offense drivers with their experience and skill. Dvorský is the only one who has not played at the World Juniors yet, but he has proven his qualities at the last Hlinka Gretzky Cup, almost winning the scoring race. Returning ´02-borns Matej Kašlík, Oleksiy Myklukha and Maroš Jedlička should all get a t`op nine role each and contribute to the scoring.

TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH

RIGA, LATVIA - MAY 23: Slovakia's Simon Nemec #5 skates up ice in preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship at Olympic Sports Centre on May 23, 2021 in Riga, Latvia. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

ŠIMON NEMEC, D

He was a surprising Slovak scoring leader at the last World Juniors with four points (all assists), despite being only 16. The HK Nitra defenseman is in his draft year now and he has gained a lot of experience over the last year, including his appearance at both Men´s World Championships and Olympic Games Qualification. Nemec is a leading candidate for the highest drafted defenseman this year, sitting at #5 in our own McKeen´s 2022 NHL Draft Preliminary Rankings. He is an extremely smart two-way D who displays great offensive skills and plays a mature game. Nemec is already playing his third pro year in Slovakia and has earned a major role on Nitra´s blueline.

EDMONTON, AB CANADA - DECEMBER 28: Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkvovsky #18 skates with the puck while Germany's Maximilian Glotzl #22 defends during preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 28, 2020 in Edmonton, AB Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

JURAJ SLAFKOVSKÝ, F

Monstrous frame (6-4”, 225 lbs), but soft hands with a playmaking touch describe Slafkovský the best. Despite his size, he is not a typical power forward; while he is able to use his body well, he likes to play with the puck and dish it to his teammates. Slafkovský is playing his first season with TPS Turku´s men´s team in Liiga. Having already scored his first Liiga goal, he is looking to add his first at the World Juniors. Despite performing quite well for a 16-year-old rookie, he went scoreless last year. Slafkovský is another 2022 NHL Draft top prospect, the #4 in our McKeen´s Preliminary Rankings. The bulking winger has the size and skill combo NHL executives love.

2021 IIHF World Junior Championship - Edmonton, AB Canada Game #15 - Finland vs Slovakia preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 30, 2020 in Edmonton, AB Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

FILIP MEŠÁR, F

Mešár closes the trio of top prospects from the upcoming draft. He has become one of the biggest risers as the public recognised his game and skill more. The #20 on our draft board. The Spišská Belá native is playing his second pro season with HK Poprad in the highest domestic league. Mešár is a flashy centre able to play on the right wing as well, whose skating and playmaking abilities stand out the most. He likes to drive to the offensive zone and have the puck on his stick. He displays great vision and his shot is not far behind. Mešár also has some Men´s National Team games under his belt and he did not look out of pace at all. He was not fully prepared for the World Juniors last year, but now, he is looking forward to being one of the Slovak leaders.

DALIBOR DVORSKÝ, F

Even though the aforementioned trio are coming for a really high spot in the 2022 NHL Draft, none of them might actually be the most talented player on the team. Probably the best Slovak prospect in the recent 15 to 20 years, Dalibor Dvorský is set to play at his first World Junior Championship. The 16-year-old already has a few records in his resume; he is the youngest scorer in Slovak top tier league´s history and also the youngest foreign Swedish second tier scorer. Dvorský, Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov will have a decent battle of the top three 2023 NHL Draft prospects at the WJC. The Slovak centre has a great shot and solid playmaking game, but he is mostly a scoring threat.

MARTIN CHROMIAK, F

Chromiak has the potential to become one of the biggest 2020 NHL Draft steals; he fell to the 5^th round, where he was picked by the Los Angeles Kings. The Kingston Frontenacs forward is playing on Shane Wright´s wing and both benefit from the connection. Chromiak is another talented prospect from the already stacked Kings´ prospect pool. His shooting and playmaking abilities are on a high level and he has also improved his physical play significantly and added on some muscle. Chromiak should be a clear choice on the 1^st Slovak line.

SAMUEL KŇAŽKO, D

The Blue Jackets prospect has already played on the Men´s National Team too and held his own really well. A former offensively-minded, mistake-prone and risky-playing defenseman has improved his defensive play tremendously. Kňažko is a modern two-way D who still displays great offensive skills, but can be relied on heavily, as he most likely will by Team Slovakia, since he is the supposed leader and captain. Kňažko started this season in Finland but changed to the WHL last month. He played his first five games with the Seattle Thunderbirds before leaving for the WJC camp.

JAKUB DEMEK, F

Demek was the only Slovak selected in the 2021 NHL Draft and his selection was quite surprising, even in Slovakia. This year, he plays like the 4^th round pick he is, yet even better. The huge centre (6-4”, 189 lbs) is currently on a sixteen-game point streak, which is still active at the moment. This leaves Demek tied for the best Slovak point streak in the CHL leagues history. Demek is a solid two-way playmaker who uses his body well and is not afraid to get his nose dirty. He may not play on the first two lines because of the unusual depth, but he should be a name to watch due to his current success.

ŠIMON LATKÓCZY, G

An undersized goalie (6-0”) who could have been drafted if he had grown two or three inches more. Latkóczy was a USHL champion with Chicago Steel last year, who established himself as the starting goalie. He returned to the Madison Capitols for the 2021-22 season. Latkóczy played extremely well during the last World Juniors and was one of the top three Slovak players. He will be relied on heavily this year. The goalie always plays a massive role in Team Slovakia´s success and it will not be any different for the 2022 World Junior Championships.

SERVÁC PETROVSKÝ, F

The three best 2022 NHL Draft Slovak prospects are clear, but Servác Petrovský has established himself as the No. 4 guy. Petrovský is an Owen Sound Attack player and gets a lot of minutes in the OHL, playing both the power play and the penalty kill. The Slovak centre has an exceptional shot and scoring touch, but his playmaking ability and vision are at a high level as well. Petrovský is a capable two-way forward who should be an intriguing name to watch for scouts at the World Juniors.

MAROŠ JEDLIČKA, F

Jedlička is the clear scoring leader of all U20 players in the Slovak top tier league, leaving both Šimon Nemec and Filip Mešár behind. Last year’s champion with HKM Zvolen is playing on the first line, which has helped his points production significantly. Jedlička currently has five times more points than he had last year. He is a two-way forward able to play all three positions, has solid offensive skills and physical play.

SLEEPER

ADAM SÝKORA, F

Sýkora is a player who never runs out of gas – his feet keep moving at a significant speed throughout the entire game. He may not have the upside of Slafkovský or Mešár, but should be an interesting player to watch for the 2022 Draft anyway, as one of the youngest eligible players (born September 7, 2004). Sýkora is playing his second season with HK Nitra in the Slovak top tier league. He is a bit undersized, but feisty, agile and extremely energic forward who is a great forechecker and an excellent choice for the bottom-six.

EUROPEAN PROSPECT ROUNDUP

Chapin Landvogt — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:51:45 +0000

210521 Juraj Slafkovsky of Slovakia ahead of the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship game between Belarus and Slovakia on May 21, 2021 in Riga.
Photo: Simon Hastegård / BILDBYRÅN / kod SH / SH0105

The 21-22 season has been underway for over eight weeks now, with the KHL having kicked off the fun already at the end of the summer. This past weekend marked a basically European-wide break in regular season action so that just about everybody’s national team can participate at a number of tournaments across the continent. This applies not only to the men’s teams, but also the U20, U18, and in some cases, U17 sides.

This also serves as an excellent time to take a look at a number of drafted and yet undrafted prospects throughout the continent and fortunately for the hockey world, there’s been a ton of interesting news on the prospect front!

One of the most interesting developments of the season can be seen in the KHL, where Winnipeg Jets 5th round draft pick, Dmitiri Rashevsky, taken as an overager in his third year of eligibility, has exceeded many expectations in popping in 14 goals and 24 points over 27 games thus far. That’s good for 19th in scoring throughout the entire league. He’s also sporting a strong +13 rating and thanks to some real good offensive company playing for Dynamo Moscow, there’s really little reason to think he’ll slow up all that much this season. It’s safe to say he’s the highest scoring 21-year-old in the KHL just now.

Making less noise in the KHL this season is Yaroslav Askarov (NAS), who has a very respectable 2.01 GAA and .904 save percentage in five KHL outings with SKA, but only a 1-1-2 record to show for it. That he’s spent four games with the club’s VHL affiliate, putting up a 2-2 record with almost identical stats doesn’t have to mean anything in the long term, but it also means he’s not quite at where recent star Russian goaltending prospects like Igor Shestyorkin and Ilya Sorokin were at his age. Alas, there is still some hockey to be played this year.

The KHL is naturally chock full of recent or older NHL draft picks, but few are looking as good at the moment as Arseni Gritsyuk (NJD). The mid-sized lefty shot has shown that his bursts of speed are effective against Russia’s best at the men’s level and he’s currently got five goals and 10 points in 18 games, having often received sheltered minutes along the way this season. Another Devils draft pick doing fine in the KHL is 2020 first rounder Shakir Mukhamadullin who is taking a regular shift for traditional power Salavat and has three goals and seven points in 27 games. He had just as many goals last season in 39 games, but it’s the overall comfort and wherewithal of his defensive game that’s sticking out. There’s routine there, and a calmer sense of urgency.

Of course, this is and continues to be the eventful year of the Matvei Michkov watch. Being 16 and getting into 10 KHL games (3 points) is a feat in and of itself, but his 11 goals and 18 points in seven games in the junior level MHL went to show that he’s ready for much more daunting tasks. He’s debuting in the Russian national team this weekend, where he’s got the hockey Twitterworld jumping out of the seats over his “Michigan goal” against Sweden. Getting phone calls from Alex Ovechkin is the icing on the cake for now and the hockey world is simply praying that the soon-to-be 17-year-old will be part of the WJC-fun in Edmonton next month.

And while the prospect talked is covered in kind by Michkov, Alexander Perevalov is quietly tearing apart the top junior league with 17 goals, 33 points, and a +21 in 22 games while fellow top 2022 prospect Ivan Miroschnichenko continues to turn heads with his nine points in 20 VHL games, meaning the 17-year-old is playing a solid role against men in Russia’s second highest pro circuit.

Nordic bliss

Next door in Finland, there’s no less noise being made by a few of the nation’s top youngsters. The biggest news in Liiga is Toronto Maple Leafs pick Topi Niemela, a defenseman taken in the 3rd round of the 2020 NHL Draft, is fifth overall in league scoring with four goals and 18 points in 20 games. We are talking about a 19-year-old kid who’s barely 170 pounds soaking wet. He was already a sensation for Finland at last winter’s WJC and he’ll be looking to return to Edmonton as Suomi’s go-to guy on the blueline.

He may very well be joined on the team by the OTHER biggest sensation in Liiga play this year, namely the just now draft-eligible Joakim Kemell and boy, has this kid been something special. His 12 goals lead the league, and his 18 points have him tied for second overall in league scoring, one point behind the league leader. More amazingly is that he’s done it in just 16 games, five less than the league’s top point producer. Some hockey people knew he’d be a player this year after no less than his five goals and six points in five Hlinka Gretzky Tournament games, but his season has been off the charts. There’s no other way of putting it.

Also doing well for themselves are a couple of smaller, offensively oriented defensemen. Anttoni Honka (CAR) has already got 13 points in 20 games after a fantastic 31 in 58 games last season. He’s really done nothing less than steadily produced since Carolina drafted him. Then there’s former Detroit Red Wings 2015 pick Vili Saarijarvi. Yes, of course, he had plenty of time in North America and now his rights belong to Arizona, but after 36 points for Lukko in 50 games last season, he’s currently chugging away with four goals and 15 points in 20 games this season. In short, it’s looking like a career year for the 24-year-old who was in action this past weekend for his national team.

Speaking of offensive defensemen, when directing our eyes towards the future, there’s no getting around Kasper Kulonummi, a 17-year-old who currently has 15 points in 19 games for Jokerit’s U20 program. It is of note seeing as how he had six assists at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and had a point in every game for his nation at a U18 outing this weekend.

As we continue looking westward, Sweden is once again providing the world with plenty to talk about at the U21 level. No team is more aware of this than the Detroit Red Wings. To begin, defenseman Simon Edvinsson has basically been the best U21 player in the country. Sure, his nine points and +7 in 16 games for Frolunda, a team always in the hunt for the championship, has been sweet, but we just can’t emphasize enough how solid he’s been in an all-round capacity. His understanding of his position and how to use his enormous body to his advantage is clearly beyond his years.

His teammate Elmer Soderblom is a giant at 6’8”, 238 lbs., and has seen his development take a considerable boost after what was already a strong 20-21 showing. He’s been getting first line minutes on a term with four solid lines, and it’s resulted in eight goals and 11 points in 19 games. There’s also first year SHLer Theodor Niederbach who has managed to stick with the big club through 19 games. His four points are nothing to write home about, but he’s showing a keen sense of doing what’s necessary to stick in the line-up and assume the role necessary in a line-up that is full of established offensive players.

And keeping in line with Frolunda, the Red Wings also drafted Liam Dower Nilsson, who has gotten into seven games (zero points) with the big club but has also chipped in 17 points in 14 U20 league games, so he too is right on track with his progression as he still looks to throw his name into the WJC team hat.

Then there are defensemen William Wallinder and Albert Johansson. Both are playing top four minutes of late for their SHL clubs Rögle and Färjestad, respectively. Wallinder has been very hot of late, having chipped in three goals and eight points in 16 games while Johansson has nine points in 17 games. Both have been showing plenty of the attributes that got them drafted and their upwards projection continues to have experts in the business looking at these guys as viable future NHLers.

That’s a lot of Swedish for one club, especially considering the Red Wings also have Jonatan Berggren doing just fine in his first season with the team’s AHL club (seven points in 10 games thus far).

But both the SHL and Allsvenskan are filled with plenty of other draftees and young men the NHL teams have their eyes on. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Pontus Holmgren (12 points) continues to be a strong contributor for Växjö, for whom he was the playoff MVP in last season’s championship run. Filip Cederqvist (BUF) and Linus Karlsson (VAN) are chugging along just fine with 11 points apiece, both having larger SHL roles than ever before. The same can be said for Calle Själin (NYR) and Ole Lycksell (PHI), but their 11 points are a little more special, as Själin is a defenseman and Lycksell has collected his in just 14 games.

When it comes to the Allsvenskan, we’d like to mention two defensemen in particular. One is Emil Andrae, a Flyers second rounder who is playing for HV71 this season, a team that has won 14 of 15 games and is on a concrete mission to gain its way back into the SHL. Andrae’s 13 points in 12 games has contributed to this endeavor thus far, even if Philadelphia would ideally like to see him suiting up for an SHL club. Then there’s Axel Bergkvist, who is playing for Mora and who’s rights belong to Arizona. He’s still just 21, has 13 points in 14 games, and is only two seasons removed from a 52-point year with Kitchener. He’s not tall, but well-built and we all know some guys are just late bloomers, so Bergkvist is one we’ll watch throughout the season.

Sweden’s 2022 draft watch has become very exciting as well, as just about all eyes have been on Djurgarden. Top prospects Liam Öhgren, Noah Östlund, and Jonathan Lekkermäki all did some major damage at the nation’s U20 level before getting a shot with the SHL club. Öhrgren has spent the most time in the bigs, collecting two points over 14 games. Östlund has gotten into seven games and Lekkermäki into three, both remaining pointless, but the latter has an impressive 16 goals and 25 points in just 16 U20 league games. Each is just 17-years old, and health and injuries will continue to play a role in just how much they play in the SHL, but that’s not looking like an issue for fellow 17-year-old Marco Kasper, the super Austrian who has four goals and six points in 16 contests for Rögle. His feat is quite impressive in light of the team’s role as a championship contender and in that it features a U20 outfit chock full of impressive players, including several who have already been drafted. We’d also like to mention that Kasper has six points in six CHL games for Rögle as well.

Not to be forgotten in all the hoopla around the 2022 prospects is the fact that 6’2”, 185 lbs. Leo Carlsson of Örebro has chalked up four points in 14 SHL games. He’s just 16 and first eligible for the 2023 draft. Will we see him suiting up for Sweden at the U18 worlds? His chances of being part of that outfit are very high.

Slavic revival

The Hlinka Gretzky Tournament this summer was a “case in point” in what some had been saying was on the way, namely that the Slovakian program had a special wave of players on the way up. Indeed, it’s looking so good that some in the region are reminiscing about the days when Peter Stastny and Zdeno Cigar were ushering in the Zigmund Palffys, Miro Satans, and Peter Bondras of the world, with the Marians Hossa and Gaborik soon to follow. There are several key reasons for this.

To begin, the 6’4”, 225 lbs. Juraj Slafkovsky has been trucking down a road to a top 10 selection for well over a year now. Sure, he’s got but three points in 14 Liiga games this season, but his 17 points in nine U20 league games as well as his six goals and nine points in five Hlinka Gretzky Tourney outings have shown him to be among the best anywhere in his age group. Scouts naturally love his size and jam, as Juraj isn’t one to take anyone’s crap. And why should he with a body like his? That he can do some playmaking and rocket off shots has got more than a few just licking their chops about the possibilities.

Behind him, albeit not all too far, are defenseman Simon Nemec, likely one of the top five defensemen available in this draft class, and forward Filip Mesar, who debuted for the Slovakian men’s team this past weekend at the Deutschland Cup. Both are 17, both are playing in Slovakia’s top men’s league, and both scored at over a PPG pace at the Hlinka Gretzky event. Also getting a long look this winter are Jakub Krizan, a left wing who is clipping at more than a PPG pace in the U18 and U20 leagues while having collected five points in nine second league games, and Alex Sotek, a right winger who has suited up for five different clubs in four different leagues but sticks out thanks to his nine goals and 34 points in just 18 U20 league games. Then there’s Adam Sykora, who hasn’t put up a whole lot of points this season (just four) but takes a fairly regular shift in Slovakia’s top league and is expected to make the WJC squad as a part of its defensive conscious.

All this is without even spending time on defenseman Jozef Kmec (Prince George Cougars) and center Servac Petrovsky (Owen Sound Attack), both of whom are doing just fine for their CHL clubs.

The fun naturally doesn’t stop there as the group of boys establishing themselves for the 2023 draft may even be more impressive. Defenseman Maxim Strbak is just 16 but honing his craft as a regular contributor in Finland’s U20 league. Winger Frantisek Ridzon has seen two games of action in both of Slovakia’s two highest pro circuits, but at 16 is making a laughingstock of the nation’s U20 league with 25 points in 16 games. One of his Nitra colleagues is Ondrej Molnar, who had six points at the Hlinka this summer, and has been the driving force of the Slovakian U18 squad that also plays in Slovakia’s second highest men’s league. Questionable is if any of them can really compare to Alex Ciernik, son of former part-time NHLer Ivan Ciernik, who is making serious noise with Södertälje’s U20 team, for which he’s got 21 points in 19 games. He too was a prime contributor at the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament (seven points) and has been playing in Sweden for the past four seasons.

Now, for the really astute among our readers, you’ll probably have noticed that nearly a dozen names have been provided here without a word about the most exciting, up-and-coming Slovak out there, namely Dalibor Dvorsky. Yep, we’re talking about the 16-year-old who had 12 points at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He’s the same kid who is second in scoring in Sweden’s U20 league with 27 points in 18 games. By the way, the leading scorer has two more points in two more games. Dvorsky’s feats have also led to two appearances with AIK’s men’s team, which plays in the Allsvenskan. This season is still young, so we really don’t know just what accomplishments Dvorsky will be capable of, but if he’d manage to lead the “J20 Nationell” in scoring, he’d be the youngest player ever to do so.

In light of all this, it’s a true shame that Slovakia’s U18 team isn’t even in the top IIHF group. Yep, the opportunity to gain promotion has been squashed two springs in a row by the worldwide pandemic. Nonetheless, insiders are already contemplating what Slovakia may be capable of doing at next spring’s D1A U18 event.

Some fans out there may be wondering what the big brother Czechs think of all this, considering they’ve continued to have the upper hand internationally for the better part of this decade. What we can definitely say is that righty shot defenseman David Jiricek is doing all he can to get himself into top 10 draft consideration. At 6’3”, the two-way rearguard has four goals and nine points in 20 games at the highest level in the Czech Republic. He’ll be returning to the WJC, probably with a letter on his chest, and one’s got to think that it’s a prime goal of his to outshine Nemec in gaining the better draft position. He’s certainly making that case in pro play this fall.

Tidbits from elsewhere

In Austria, the Red Bull Hockey Juniors (a U23 outfit) have started to pick things up in the professional league AlpsHL, where the kids for several nations - predominantly Austria and Germany - play against grown men. The start was a rough one, but there’s been an upswing in recent weeks and one of the highlights of this move up the standings has been 17-year-old Austrian Luca Auer, a righty shot forward who has 10 goals, 25 points, and a +18 in 18 games. For perspective, Danjo Leonhardt led the team in scoring last winter with 35 points in 32 games while Julian Lutz made headlines with his 13 goals, 26 points, and +13 in 31 games, granted as a 15- and 16-year-old. Auer has a motor and loves to drive the net. He’s also got a mid-July birthday, so you know where he's at draftwise.

It’s also been a while since Slovenia has provided the NHL world with a legitimate prospect, but one young man who is playing in Germany is doing his darndest to change that. Currently leading the Krefeld U23 side that plays in the Oberliga Nord, Germany’s third pro circuit, in scoring is forward Marcel Mahkovec. He’s got an impressive 5-12-17 in just 13 games and has also chipped in 6-9-15 in 8 games for the club’s DNL team. That he’s just 17 is what has many wondering just how high his prospects are? Compact and creative, Mahkovec has suited up 23 times for Slovenia’s U19 selects for various test games and tournaments, putting up 23 goals and 44 points in the process. Also look to see him on the nation’s men’s team, even if only at lower levels of international play.

Finally, we don’t spend a whole lot of time looking at overagers, or more specifically, kids who just aged out of the draft picture entirely, but we’d like to throw some light on two young men in Switzerland’s NL who you may want to keep in the back of your mind for down the road. One is 21-year-old defenseman Mika Henauer who is in his fourth season of pro hockey. He already gained our attention last year by becoming a top four option for Bern basically out of nowhere, putting up 3-14-17 in the process. He was one of the youngest regular blueliners in the league. After 22 games this season, he’s already collected 3-8-11 and continues to grow in importance for his team.

The other name we’d like to bandy about is that of Nando Eggenberger. Yes, you know it. The former Oshawa General once looked like a possible up-n-comer but fell off the map completely after a terrible 19-20 season. Now 22, he’s coming off his best season to date (12 goals in 50 NL games) and looking to put a whole new spin on things, already collecting 16 points in 21 games. To be certain, Eggenberger has a power forward body and can be difficult to handle along the boards and in the corners. The question has always been whether he’s going to start scoring at some point. He is on pace to blow away career highs and place his name into World Championship consideration for the Swiss side.

Servac Petrovsky – McKeen's Hockey

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Ten Prospects Who Elevated Their Stock

Gavin Brindley - USA (Columbus Blue Jackets 2023 2nd round, 34th overall)

Rutger McGroarty - USA (Winnipeg Jets 2022 1st round, 14th overall)

Trey Augustine - USA (Detroit Red Wings 2023 2nd round, 41st overall)

Theo Lindstein - Sweden (St. Louis Blues 2023 1st round, 29th overall)

Noah Ostlund - Sweden (Buffalo Sabres 2022 1st round, 16th overall)

Maveric Lamoureaux - Canada (Arizona Coyotes 2022 1st round, 29th overall)

Servac Petrovsky - Slovakia (Minnesota Wild 6th round, 185th overall)

Marek Alscher - Czechia (Florida Panthers 2022 3rd round, 93rd overall)

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki - Finland (St. Louis Blues 2022 3rd round, 73rd overall)

Otto Salin - Finland (Los Angeles Kings 2022 5th round, 148th overall)

BELL: 20 Prospect Points – 2024 World Juniors Edition

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

Team Canada: Mathis Rousseau (2024 Eligible)

Team Czechia: Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas Golden Knights)

Team Finland: Jani Nyman (Seattle Kraken)

Team Germany: Simon Wolf (Undrafted - 2024 Eligible)

Team Latvia: Darels Uljanskis (2024 Eligible)

Team Norway: Petter Vesterheim (Undrafted - 2024 Eligible)

Team Slovakia: Servac Petrovsky (Minnesota Wild)

Team Sweden: Filip Bystedt (San Jose Sharks)

Team Switzerland: Leon Muggli (2024 Eligible)

Team USA: Zeev Buium (2024 Eligible)

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Team Slovakia

10 to Watch plus a Sleeper

Filip Mešár, RW/C

Dalibor Dvorský, C

Adam Gajan, G

Sam Honzek, LW/C

Maxim Štrbák, D

Adam Sýkora, LW/RW

Martin Mišiak, W/C

Alex Čiernik, LW/RW

Juraj Pekarčík, LW/RW

Servác Petrovský, C/LW

Sleeper: Peter Repčík, C

2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAM PREVIEW – SLOVAKIA

TEAM SLOVAKIA PREVIEW

10 TO WATCH

2022 NHL DRAFT REVIEW: WESTERN DIVISION – SCOUT’S FAVOURITES

Brock Otten’s Favourite Selections

-In no particular order

1. Pavel Mintyukov (ANA, #10)

Sam Rinzel (CHI, #25)

Ivan Zhigalov (COL, #225)

George Fegaras (DAL, #83)

Servac Petrovsky (MIN, #185)

Adam Ingram (NSH, #82)

David Goyette (SEA, #61)

Tucker Robertson (SEA, #123)

Daimon Gardner (VAN, #112)

Matyas Sapovaliv (VGS, #48)

Will Scouch’s Favourite Selections

Shane Wright (SEA, #4)

Brad Lambert (WPG, #30)

Mattias Havelid (SJS, #45)

Jagger Firkus (SEA, #35)

Jordan Gustafson (VGK, #79)

Adam Zlnka (ARZ, 204)

Ty Nelson (SEA, #68)

Fabian Wagner (WPG, #175)

Samuel Savoie (CHI, #81)

Ryan Healey (MIN, #121)

Sam McGilligan’s Favourite Selections

1: Brad Lambert (WPG, #30)

2: Shane Wright (SEA, #4)

3: Liam Öhgren (MIN, #19)

4: Jack Hughes (LA, #52)

5: Joakim Kemell (NSH, #17)

6: Jagger Firkus (SEA, #35)

7: Ty Nelson (SEA, #68)

8: Mattias Havelid (SJ, #45)

9: David Goyette (SEA, #61)

10: Christian Kyrou (DAL, #50)

2022 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAM SLOVAKIA: Cinderella Hopeful with Previously Unseen Talent Depth

WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – SLOVAKIA: Cinderella Hopeful with Previously Unseen Talent Depth

Goaltending

Defense

Forwards