Tomas Galvas – McKeen's Hockey

2026 NHL DRAFT: TOP 32 PRIOR TO THE 2026 IIHF U18 MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Brock Otten — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:03:12 +0000

Caleb Malhotra

It’s time for the McKeen’s Hockey scouting team to update their rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft. Many junior leagues around the globe are in the thick of the playoffs and we have the IIHF U18’s upcoming. This top 100 will serve as our final ranking before our Draft Guide release, which expands us to a top 300.

Gavin McKenna is holding firm on his first overall ranking on our board thanks to some adjustments and strong play post world juniors with Penn State. We’re hoping that he gets the nod to represent Canada at the IIHF World Championships, which would be a terrific measuring stick for him.

Pushing up our list are Brantford Bulldogs center Caleb Malhotra and Swedish defender Malte Gustafsson. Malhotra has shown terrific progression over the course of the OHL season and has been outstanding through the first two rounds of the OHL playoffs. Meanwhile Gustafsson has shown remarkable poise across various levels in Sweden and offers great athletic tools and two-way upside.

Other significant “risers” from our previous list include Quebec forward Maddox Dagenais, North Bay center Ryder Cali, Moncton defender Tommy Bleyl, Slovak defender Adam Goljer, and Russian netminder Dmitri Borichev. All have played significantly well in the second half of their respective seasons and have pushed up our boards due to the upside that they possess. Dagenais brings elite athletic tools and a heavy shot to the table and has shown considerable improvement in the second half from a consistency perspective. Cali is one of the draft’s youngest players and has found confidence in his on-puck play, causing us to re-evaluate his upside. Bleyl is one of the draft’s most dynamic offensive defenders and his strong play has given us no choice but to adjust our ranking of him accordingly. Goljer is an athletic two-way defender who has played well against men in the Slovak pro league this year, but he’s shown offensive upside when playing against his peers. Borichev is the draft’s netminding crown jewel with a great frame, elite athleticism, and improving technical abilities.

Fresh off the release of our annual three part look at the top “re-entry” candidates available, several have made the cut in our top 100. Edmonton defender Ethan MacKenzie, Prince Albert netminder Michal Orsulak, Czech defender Tomas Galvas, Victoria defender Timofei Runtso, Chicoutimi forward Liam Lefebvre, and Sioux Falls defender Matthew Grimes. You can find more info about each player in the aforementioned three-part series.

We’re very excited to see what the end of the season has in store and how that impacts our final ranking. As usual, you can expect our annual draft guide to be released in early June.

RK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1	Gavin McKenna	LW	Penn State (NCAA)	5-11/170	20-Dec-07	35	15	36	51	36
2	Ivar Stenberg	LW	Frolunda (SHL)	5-11/185	30-Sep-07	43	11	22	33	6
3	Chase Reid	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-2/185	30-Dec-07	45	18	30	48	30
4	Caleb Malhotra	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/170	2-Jun-08	67	29	55	84	51
5	Carson Carels	D	Prince George (WHL)	6-2/195	23-Jun-08	58	20	53	73	66
6	Keaton Verhoeff	D	North Dakota (NCAA)	6-4/210	19-Jun-08	36	6	14	20	29
7	Alberts Smits	D	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	2-Dec-07	38	6	7	13	20
8	Viggo Bjorck	C	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-9/175	12-Mar-08	42	6	9	15	12
9	Malte Gustafsson	D	HV 71 (SHL)	6-4/200	11-Jun-08	27	0	3	3	4
10	Daxon Rudolph	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/205	6-Mar-08	68	28	50	78	75
11	Oscar Hemming	LW	Boston College (NCAA)	6-4/195	13-Aug-08	19	1	7	8	18
12	Tynan Lawrence	C	Boston University (NCAA)	6-0/185	3-Aug-08	18	2	5	7	2
13	Ethan Belchetz	LW	Windsor (OHL)	6-5/225	30-Mar-08	57	34	25	59	45
14	Adam Novotny	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/205	13-Nov-07	58	34	31	65	22
15	Elton Hermansson	RW	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	6-1/180	5-Feb-08	38	11	10	21	22
16	Maddox Dagenais	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	27-Mar-08	62	30	32	62	31
17	Oliver Suvanto	C	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/210	3-Sep-08	48	2	9	11	16
18	Ryan Lin	D	Vancouver (WHL)	5-11/175	18-Apr-08	53	14	43	57	35
19	Wyatt Cullen	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	8-Sep-08	34	12	22	34	37
20	Xavier Villeneuve	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	5-11/160	29-Sep-07	37	6	32	38	35
21	Nikita Klepov	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/180	27-Jun-08	67	37	60	97	43
22	Ilia Morozov	C	Miami (NCAA)	6-3/195	3-Aug-08	36	8	12	20	27
23	Alexander Command	C	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-1/185	16-Jun-08	30	17	27	44	61
24	Mathis Preston	RW	Spo-Van (WHL)	5-11/175	21-Jul-08	46	18	26	44	34
25	Tommy Bleyl	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-0/160	1-Dec-07	63	13	68	81	33
26	JP Hurlbert	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-0/185	11-Apr-08	68	42	55	97	45
27	Juho Piiparinen	D	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-2/200	10-Aug-08	29	0	3	3	8
28	Adam Goljer	D	HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)	6-3/195	7-Jun-08	43	4	7	11	40
29	Jaxon Cover	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/175	13-Feb-08	67	20	32	52	48
30	Gleb Pugachyov	C	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	6-3/200	25-Mar-08	33	10	14	24	36
31	Ryder Cali	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/210	6-Sep-08	47	16	20	36	24
32	Dmitri Borichev	G	Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-3/200	19-Jun-08	24	12	8	2.25	0.929

2026 NHL DRAFT: TOP 100 PRIOR TO THE 2026 IIHF U18 MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Brock Otten — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:58:39 +0000

Caleb Malhotra

We’re very excited to see what the end of the season has in store and how that impacts our final ranking. As usual, you can expect our annual draft guide to be released in early June.

RK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1	Gavin McKenna	LW	Penn State (NCAA)	5-11/170	20-Dec-07	35	15	36	51	36
2	Ivar Stenberg	LW	Frolunda (SHL)	5-11/185	30-Sep-07	43	11	22	33	6
3	Chase Reid	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-2/185	30-Dec-07	45	18	30	48	30
4	Caleb Malhotra	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/170	2-Jun-08	67	29	55	84	51
5	Carson Carels	D	Prince George (WHL)	6-2/195	23-Jun-08	58	20	53	73	66
6	Keaton Verhoeff	D	North Dakota (NCAA)	6-4/210	19-Jun-08	36	6	14	20	29
7	Alberts Smits	D	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	2-Dec-07	38	6	7	13	20
8	Viggo Bjorck	C	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-9/175	12-Mar-08	42	6	9	15	12
9	Malte Gustafsson	D	HV 71 (SHL)	6-4/200	11-Jun-08	27	0	3	3	4
10	Daxon Rudolph	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/205	6-Mar-08	68	28	50	78	75
11	Oscar Hemming	LW	Boston College (NCAA)	6-4/195	13-Aug-08	19	1	7	8	18
12	Tynan Lawrence	C	Boston University (NCAA)	6-0/185	3-Aug-08	18	2	5	7	2
13	Ethan Belchetz	LW	Windsor (OHL)	6-5/225	30-Mar-08	57	34	25	59	45
14	Adam Novotny	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/205	13-Nov-07	58	34	31	65	22
15	Elton Hermansson	RW	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	6-1/180	5-Feb-08	38	11	10	21	22
16	Maddox Dagenais	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	27-Mar-08	62	30	32	62	31
17	Oliver Suvanto	C	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/210	3-Sep-08	48	2	9	11	16
18	Ryan Lin	D	Vancouver (WHL)	5-11/175	18-Apr-08	53	14	43	57	35
19	Wyatt Cullen	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	8-Sep-08	34	12	22	34	37
20	Xavier Villeneuve	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	5-11/160	29-Sep-07	37	6	32	38	35
21	Nikita Klepov	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/180	27-Jun-08	67	37	60	97	43
22	Ilia Morozov	C	Miami (NCAA)	6-3/195	3-Aug-08	36	8	12	20	27
23	Alexander Command	C	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-1/185	16-Jun-08	30	17	27	44	61
24	Mathis Preston	RW	Spo-Van (WHL)	5-11/175	21-Jul-08	46	18	26	44	34
25	Tommy Bleyl	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-0/160	1-Dec-07	63	13	68	81	33
26	JP Hurlbert	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-0/185	11-Apr-08	68	42	55	97	45
27	Juho Piiparinen	D	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-2/200	10-Aug-08	29	0	3	3	8
28	Adam Goljer	D	HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)	6-3/195	7-Jun-08	43	4	7	11	40
29	Jaxon Cover	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/175	13-Feb-08	67	20	32	52	48
30	Gleb Pugachyov	C	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	6-3/200	25-Mar-08	33	10	14	24	36
31	Ryder Cali	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/210	6-Sep-08	47	16	20	36	24
32	Dmitri Borichev	G	Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-3/200	19-Jun-08	24	12	8	2.25	0.929
33	Jack Hextall	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-0/190	23-Mar-08	59	20	38	58	28
34	William Hakansson	D	Lulea (SHL)	6-4/205	8-Oct-07	22	0	2	2	8
35	Marcus Nordmark	LW	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	6-1/180	4-May-08	25	14	24	38	48
36	Tobias Trejbal	G	Youngstown (USHL)	6-4/190	9-Nov-07	42	30	9	2.12	0.916
37	Brooks Rogowski	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-6/225	28-Jun-08	46	15	27	42	17
38	Ben MacBeath	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-2/185	4-Mar-08	67	7	44	51	16
39	Alexander Bilecki	D	Kitchener (OHL)	6-1/180	9-May-08	66	9	20	29	43
40	Egor Shilov	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Apr-08	63	32	50	82	29
41	Niklas Aaram Olsen	RW	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-0/185	19-Apr-08	29	20	20	40	22
42	Tomas Chrenko	C	HK Nitra (Slovakia)	5-11/170	2-Nov-07	44	9	22	31	10
43	Samu Alalauri	D	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	6-2/200	31-May-08	40	6	19	25	4
44	Jakub Vanecek	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Feb-08	59	14	21	35	20
45	Thomas Vandenberg	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/180	8-Sep-08	59	25	25	50	20
46	Liam Ruck	RW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-0/175	21-Feb-08	68	45	59	104	36
47	Alessandro Di Iorio	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-0/190	17-Mar-08	45	12	19	31	16
48	Adam Andersson	C	Leksands (Swe J20)	6-3/200	2-Jul-08	30	3	14	17	24
49	Ryan Roobroeck	C	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/215	25-Sep-07	49	30	28	58	26
50	Pierce Mbuyi	LW	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-10/160	17-Apr-08	68	32	43	75	85
51	Ethan MacKenzie	D	Edmonton (WHL)	6-0/170	2-Sep-06	59	22	36	58	42
52	Filip Ruzicka	G	Brandon (WHL)	6-7/230	24-Mar-08	42	26	14	3.19	0.906
53	Maksim Sokolovskii	D	London (OHL)	6-8/235	12-Jul-08	44	2	6	8	49
54	Markus Ruck	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-11/170	21-Feb-08	68	21	87	108	28
55	Simas Ignatavicius	C	Geneva-Servette (Sui-NL)	6-3/195	22-Oct-07	52	7	6	13	43
56	Beckham Edwards	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/180	6-Jan-08	64	19	26	45	14
57	Giorgos Pantelas	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/215	24-Apr-08	68	6	31	37	50
58	Charlie Morrison	D	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	12-Oct-07	41	4	9	13	58
59	Adam Nemec	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/175	18-Oct-07	31	14	21	35	15
60	Tobias Tvrznik	G	Wenatchee (WHL)	6-4/180	29-Jul-07	39	16	18	3.1	0.913
61	Casey Mutryn	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/200	5-Jul-08	55	14	23	37	87
62	Michal Orsulak	G	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-4/225	26-Aug-07	36	28	4	2.22	0.907
63	Axel Elofsson	D	Orebro (Swe J20)	5-10/165	3-Jun-08	32	9	32	41	20
64	Nikita Scherbakov	D	Toros Neftekamsk (VHL)	6-5/190	23-Oct-07	35	4	6	10	24
65	Jonas Lagerberg Hoen	RW	Leksands (Swe J20)	6-2/175	24-Oct-07	9	9	7	16	33
66	Landon Nycz	D	Massachusetts (NCAA)	6-2/200	4-Oct-07	35	1	2	3	2
67	Adam Valentini	LW	Michigan (NCAA)	5-11/185	11-Apr-08	40	11	16	27	46
68	Viktor Fyodorov	C	Torpedo-Gorky NN (VHL)	5-10/175	21-Feb-08	32	2	6	8	8
69	Mans Gudmundsson	D	Farjestads (Swe J20)	6-2/170	9-Jun-08	35	1	24	25	10
70	Casper Juustovaara Karlsson	LW	Lulea (SHL)	5-9/170	25-Oct-07	31	4	2	6	6
71	Tomas Galvas	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	5-10/155	11-Feb-06	32	8	16	24	10
72	Jonah Sivertson	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-3/195	27-Aug-08	66	24	29	53	41
73	Landon Amrhein	LW	Calgary (WHL)	6-4/190	6-Apr-08	64	10	21	31	12
74	Timofei Runtso	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-2/185	6-Jul-07	68	11	33	44	28
75	Liam Lefebvre	C	Rim-Chi (QMJHL)	6-3/205	15-May-07	59	32	27	59	86
76	Vladimir Dravecky	D	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/185	19-Dec-07	58	9	19	28	24
77	Beckett Hamilton	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	5-11/175	28-Mar-08	67	24	38	62	14
78	Wiggo Sorensson	C	Boro/Vetlanda HC (Swe Division 2)	5-11/180	15-Apr-08	29	20	18	38	14
79	Jakub Frolo	C	Ilves (Fin-U20)	6-1/195	5-Dec-07	37	10	30	40	103
80	Landon Hafele	C	Green Bay (USHL)	6-0/185	18-Sep-07	52	15	27	42	69
81	Brady Knowling	G	USN U18 (USDP)	6-5/200	9-Mar-08	28	12	10	3.73	0.88
82	Zach Olsen	RW	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-1/200	16-Mar-08	57	18	16	34	79
83	Matthew Grimes	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-1/185	19-May-07	60	9	26	35	54
84	Chase Harrington	LW	Spokane (WHL)	6-0/195	30-Oct-07	61	28	29	57	105
85	Jakub Floris	D	Lukko (Fin-U20)	6-3/190	19-Feb-08	38	10	8	18	10
86	Noel Pakarinen	LW	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)	6-2/200	9-Jul-08	31	13	17	30	30
87	Malcom Gastrin	C	MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)	6-0/155	19-Aug-08	24	9	16	25	8
88	Nils Bartholdsson	RW	Rogle (Swe J20)	5-10/175	25-Apr-08	32	23	19	42	20
89	Elisei Ryabkin	D	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-1/180	8-Jul-08	48	3	16	19	25
90	Spencer Bowes	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/175	19-Sep-07	67	23	19	42	28
91	Victor Plante	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-9/165	10-Mar-08	50	19	21	40	65
92	Vertti Svensk	D	SaiPa (Fin-U20)	6-0/165	9-Nov-07	33	3	28	31	80
93	Jean-Cristoph Lemieux	C	Wsr-Sby (OHL)	6-0/185	19-Jun-08	56	20	23	43	28
94	Vilho Vanhatalo	RW	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	18-Jan-08	38	10	9	19	43
95	Brian McFadden	D	Thayer Academy (USHS-MA)	6-5/180	8-Jan-08	29	2	15	17
96	Lars Steiner	RW	Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)	5-10/175	12-Nov-07	44	30	25	55	44
97	Luke Schairer	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/195	30-Jan-08	55	1	16	17	67
98	KJ Sauer	C	Andover High (USHS-MN)	6-3/200	24-Oct-07	15	8	17	25	42
99	Filip Novak	LW	Sparta Praha (Czechia U20)	6-1/195	7-Mar-08	28	11	24	35	60
100	Rian Chudzinski	RW	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-1/190	30-Dec-07	54	21	17	38	71
HM	Joe Erickson	C	Blake School (USHS-MN)	6-4/200	21-Apr-08	28	32	32	64	4
HM	Alan Shaikhlislamov	RW	Tolpar Ufa (MHL)	6-1/185	4-Sep-08	31	18	17	35	15
HM	Dmitri Kubantsev	RW	Vernon (BCHL)	6-1/195	28-May-08	47	15	38	53	52
HM	Yaroslav Fedoseyev	D	Chelmet Chelyabinsk (VHL)	6-1/180	5-Nov-07	25	1	5	6	25
HM	Cole Zurawski	RW	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-1/190	6-Feb-08	63	24	22	46	34
HM	Yegor Rybkin	G	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	6-7/205	3-Dec-07	11	5	2	2.56	0.915
HM	Zach Lansard	RW	Regina (WHL)	6-0/175	29-Jul-08	68	24	32	56	33
HM	Harrison Boettiger	G	Kelowna (WHL)	6-2/190	11-Dec-07	41	25	10	2.83	0.911
HM	Luka Arkko	LW	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	6-3/210	14-Jan-08	42	11	14	25	10
HM	Evan Jardine	LW	Youngstown (USHL)	6-0/180	23-Oct-07	53	27	34	61	70
HM	Cole Tuminaro	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-3/220	24-Jan-07	54	5	11	16	148
HM	Romain L'Italien	C	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-1/195	7-Apr-08	52	17	30	47	33
HM	Xavier Wendt	G	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/165	24-Jan-08	43	18	20	3.25	0.905
HM	Caelan Joudrey	C	Wenatchee (WHL)	6-4/180	17-Jan-08	67	19	10	29	56
HM	Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen	D	Michigan (NCAA)	6-0/180	18-Dec-06	40	4	14	18	20

2026 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES PART THREE – EUROPE – Overage Draft Eligible Prospects

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:43:17 +0000

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

For those unfamiliar, North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. In the last decade, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. Additionally, CHL players may now be deemed more “intriguing” because of the altered NCAA eligibility rules. NHL teams can draft overage players and retain their rights after they go to college for a few years, expanding their signing and development window. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Former Calgary Flames, now Utah Mammoth standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. Ottawa Senators standout forward Drake Batherson was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck.

Last year, ten “re-entry” candidates went in the top four rounds: Charlie Cerrato, Francesco Dell’Elce, Bryce Pickford, Kristian Epperson, Julius Sumpf, Trenten Bennett, Benjamin Rautianinen, Yegor Borikov, Caeden Herrington, and Zack Sharp. Cerrato was taken inside the Top 50. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1): (Part 2): (Part 3): We wrote about nine of those ten. In total there were 37 taken, which is a bit lower than the recent trend of other drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). I would suspect that bounces back this year. Additionally, of those 37, we identified and wrote about 22 (well over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2026, we have some very interesting candidates. Edmonton Oil Kings defender Ethan MacKenzie was a solid contributor for Canada’s WJC team this past year. Brandon Wheat Kings forward Joby Baumuller has been among the WHL’s leading goal scorers all year. Prince Albert netminder Michal Orsulak has been among the best goaltenders in the CHL this year. Moncton winger Niko Tournas has been among the QMJHL’s leading goal scorers all year. Russian defenseman Alexander Sapozhinkov is a massive blueliner who has broken out in the MHL and earned a KHL look. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

This is part three of the series, putting the spotlight on those re-entries available from across Europe. - Brock Otten

Sweden

Luleås Oliwer Sjöström 27 March 2026 i Luleå.
Photo: Simon Eliasson / BILDBYRÅN

Oliwer Sjöström - Defense - IF Björklöven (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Sjöström returns to the draft after going unselected last year, following a season that has brought him back into consideration through clear progression at the professional level. How his game would translate against men was a question coming out of last year’s draft, but his loan to Björklöven has helped answer that. Playing consistent minutes in HockeyAllsvenskan, he has recorded 26 points in 46 games while showing increased confidence with the puck and contributing offensively at a steady rate. His progression is most noticeable in his puck play and composure. He looks more comfortable handling pressure and making decisions in transition, supporting possession without forcing plays. His offensive impact comes more from puck movement and timing than high-end creativity. His strengths are built around mobility, awareness, and puck-moving ability. Areas for improvement remain on the physical side, as added strength would help him handle battles more consistently. His size may also present challenges at the NHL level, which remains a concern given his style of play in defensive situations. From a projection standpoint, Sjöström most realistically profiles as a depth NHL defenseman, likely requiring a longer development path through the SHL or AHL. Based on his progression this season, I would consider him a late round option. (Viktor Ahlund)

Oliver Dejbjerg Larsen - Wing/Center - Rögle BK U20 (U20 Nationell)

A major jump in production has put Dejbjerg-Larsen back on the radar for this year’s draft, as he led the entire U20 series in points. After recording 16 points last year, he followed it up with 53 points in 36 games this season, including 20 goals and 33 assists, a level of production that has been above my expectations. His offensive development has been a key part of his progression, both in his production and overall involvement in the offensive zone. His release has also taken a step forward, adding another layer to his offensive game. He plays with good mobility and is effective with the puck, helping move play forward and support transitions without doing too much with the puck. There are clear signs of offensive upside, particularly in how he finds space. Areas for improvement remain in his physical play and consistency in defensive situations, where added strength is still needed. There is also a question of how well his offensive game will translate to the professional level, which is something to keep an eye on. At this stage, Dejbjerg-Larsen profiles as a long-term project. Despite his strong production at the junior level, a top six role at the highest level is unlikely, and his transition to the professional game will play a key role in determining what type of role he can grow into. After a strong season with Rögle’s U20 and solid performances with Denmark at the WJC, he could draw late round interest. (Viktor Ahlund)

Isac Hedqvist - Wing/Center - Luleå HF (SHL)

Another year, another Isac Hedqvist feature in our overager report. What more can we say about the pure-bred puck-hound from Örnsköldsvik? He’s played over 100 games and counting at the SHL level, even winning the 2025 SHL championship as an everyday bottom six. This year, Hedqvist has played on Luleå’s first line and set a new career high in goals, points, and games played. The physicality, the quickness, the intensity, and the inside drive haven’t gone anywhere. He kills penalties. His offensive capabilities have taken another step. Even when nothing is going for him, Hedqvist is a spark plug that can inject any line with energy. He’s got a great personality, too. If he were two inches taller, he’d have been picked in his first year of eligibility. It’s tough to make it as an NHL bottom six as a 5’11”, 174lbs winger. He’s not skilled enough for a top six role, either. Even if he doesn’t have a clear-cut, projectable role, Hedqvist is wired the right way for the NHL. All he needs in an opportunity to show the league what he can do out on the ice. (Felix Robbins)

Felix Carell - Defense - Malmö Redhawks (SHL)

Carell has had a true breakout year in his DY+2. He’s nabbed a role as an SHL regular despite no prior pro experience. He was also selected to Sweden’s WJC team that won gold, where he featured in every match and occasionally played top pair minutes. Again, despite no prior national team experience. It’s no secret as to why. Carell has matured both physically and mentally since his first year of eligibility, playing a competitive and physical brand of defence that all defence cores need. His skating looks smooth and he’s mobile in all directions. His passing and up-ice vision look solid at the SHL level, and he gets the breakout started with ease. He’s alert and aware in the defensive zone, stifling zone entries and retrieving pucks with his head on a swivel. There are no surprises in Carell's game. His offensive upside is limited, but he does everything you need a defensive defenceman to do. In a couple years, Carell could be a solid depth defenceman that a team can plug into their lineup for some extra jam. (Felix Robbins)

Isac Nilsson - Wing - Malmo (SHL)

Nilsson has worked his way back into draft consideration, showing steady progression this season at the professional level. In 44 SHL games with Malmö, he recorded eight points while adjusting to a higher level of competition, managing the pace and structure better than expected. His development is most noticeable in how he handles pace and pressure at the SHL level. He looks more settled in his decisions with the puck and plays with better timing in transition. It’s clear that he has added strength to his game, both in physical play and as a puck carrier, which was an area of concern for me last season. He brings value through his work rate, awareness, and dependable two-way game. Areas for improvement remain in his physical development and overall offensive ceiling, as he lacks separation ability and finishing consistency. Looking ahead, Nilsson most realistically profiles as a depth forward, requiring continued development at the professional level. Nilsson could fill a role as a checking line player and I would consider him a late round option, and if available in rounds 6–7, I would take a chance on him from a long-term development perspective. (Viktor Ahlund)

Herman Liv - Goaltender - Almtuna (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Liv began the season on loan to Almtuna in HockeyAllsvenskan, where he has adapted well to the professional level and taken positive steps in his development. In 25 games, he’s posted a 2.35 GAA and a .916 save percentage while adjusting to the higher level of competition. His development is most noticeable in his positioning and overall calmness in net, something his father was known for as well. His rebound control has also improved, limiting second-chance opportunities, an area that showed some inconsistency in my viewings last season. He brings value through his positioning and puck tracking, though improvements in explosiveness are needed. He’s also somewhat undersized for the position, though smaller goaltenders have shown they can succeed at the NHL level. Looking ahead, Liv most realistically profiles as a long-term goaltender, likely requiring time at the professional level. His ceiling is most likely projects to the SHL or AHL level, but the path for goaltenders is rarely straightforward, and extended time in top European leagues or the AHL has often proven to be a path toward NHL opportunities. Based on his progression, I would consider him a late round option, where a team could take a chance on him long term. (Viktor Ahlund)

Romeo Edvardsen Sørensen - Wing - Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Just 4 days shy of being a 1st time eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Sorensen has scored the lights out in his 2nd year of U20 Nationell play and seized an everyday role in the HockeyAllsvenskan. The physical tools make it easy to see where Sørensen could be plugged into an NHL lineup, similar to how he’s used currently with Mora. His motor, his frame, and his physicality have made him a solid bottom 6 checker. His hard and accurate shot has earned him PP time as well. His skating has improved since last season, though he could still use some more quickness. While he's had some highlight reel moments with the puck on his stick at the pro level, Sørensen hasn’t been able to consistently display the soft skill that he has in juniors. For him to tap into that upside, he’ll have to learn to read and process the game quicker at the pro level. The hope is that this improves with more reps. If you leave him to marinate in Sweden for a couple years, Sørensen could be a physical bottom 6 winger with goalscoring upside. (Felix Robbins)

Philip Hemmyr - Wing/Center - Björklöven IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

After flying completely under the radar in his draft season, homegrown Hemmyr has taken a big step in his hockey career by torching the U20 and earning himself a depth role with Björklöven’s senior team — the best team in the HockeyAllsvenskan. He typically plays down the middle in juniors, but he’s still learning the position at the pro level from the wing. He’s grown an inch or so and has added some quickness to his skating. Hemmyr has always been a solid two-way player, but he’s able to read the game and play intelligently off puck at the pro level already. His off-puck work ethic is great as well, although he needs to fill out before he’s much of a problem on the forecheck. Offensively, Hemmyr hasn’t been able to pull off his playmaking ideas very often at the pro level. However, he’s shown the ability to find soft ice and pounce on pucks around the net (even if it hasn’t shown up on the scoreboard). Hemmyr is an interesting bet to make if you want a bottom 6 two-way forward, but he’s got to marinate in Sweden for a couple more years. (Felix Robbins)

Leo Sundqvist - Wing - Brynäs IF (SHL)

While he may not profile as your typical over-ager target (undersized, not the highest skill level, not scoring at the pro level), Sundqvist is wired exactly how I like my undersized forwards to play: Speedy, feisty, physical, and shoots the lights out. The straight-line speed is great, even for a forward his size. He’s putting up a ton of points as a top 6 in the U20 despite not having the greatest puck skills. His playmaking is fairly practical, but his shot is the best offensive weapon in his arsenal. His play away from the puck is intense and his physical game is that of a forward twice his size. Sundqvist hasn’t been able to lock down an SHL role as of yet. He struggles to read the game at a high level and doesn’t always put himself in the best position. Like with other forwards on this list, the hope is that it improves with reps. If everything breaks right for Sundqvist, he could be a bottom 9 who drives transition play, forechecks, and scores goals. (Felix Robbins)

Finland

Jere Somervuori

Jere Somervuori - Wing - HIFK (Liiga)

Somervuori has evolved from a high-energy U20 complementary piece into a legitimate Liiga-caliber checking prospect. His rise on the draft map is fueled by his adaptation to professional pace where he hasn't just survived the jump to Finland’s top tier, he has maintained his signature "motor" against men. His game is built on explosive skating and a relentless work rate. He is a puck-retrieval specialist who excels on the forecheck and backcheck, using an active stick to disrupt plays. He shows great poise under pressure and is a versatile "Swiss Army Knife" who can play the wing or center while killing penalties. His Hockey IQ cannot be underestimated. He makes good reads and he has a good awareness of where everybody is on the ice. However, his finishing touch and shooting mechanics remain raw. While his intensity helps him win battles, he lacks the heavy physical frame to overpower opponents, relying instead on positioning and effort. He projects as a reliable bottom-six NHL energy forward at best or a high-end Liiga specialist. His young age for a draft-plus-one skater makes him an intriguing "swing" pick in the middle-to-late rounds for a team valuing defensive responsibility and pace. (Jeremy Rivet)

Leo Tuuva - Wing - Lukko (Liiga)

Tuuva’s draft stock has fluctuated significantly. After a hot start that showcased his offensive skill and power-play utility, his production cooled off in Liiga action. He remains on the radar due to his size and flashes of high-end playmaking, but questions about his consistency and heavy game have caused him to slide recently. Tuuva possesses dynamic hands and a precise shot, particularly effective from the half-wall on the power play. He is a shifty puck carrier who uses weight shifts to create lanes. However, his skating mechanics lack depth and explosiveness, which limits his ability to win 50/50 battles. There is a tendency to play too much on the perimeter in his game. He often avoids the dirty areas of the ice, and his compete level can appear inconsistent when the game turns physical. A boom-or-bust offensive prospect. If his skating improves and he learns to use his 6’01” frame to drive the middle, he could be a middle-six scoring winger. Without those adjustments, he risks becoming a career European pro who struggles with the pace of the North American game. (Jeremy Rivet)

Niklas Nykyri - Defense - HIFK (Liiga)/KooKoo (Liiga)

Nykyri has successfully transitioned to the Liiga level by simplifying his game and leaning into his hockey IQ. He has moved from a flashy U20 defender to a poised, puck-moving professional. His performance at the recent World Juniors has reaffirmed that his vision is among the best in his age group for Finnish defenders. His offensive vision is his calling card. He excels at finding seam passes and threading the needle from the blue line rather than just settling for low-percentage shots. He shows great poise when escaping pressure behind his own net. His weaknesses lie in skating mobility and gap control. While his edges are functional, he can be exposed by high-end speed. His first pass is generally good, but he can become turnover-prone when forced to make decisions under heavy physical pressure. He projects as a modern 3rd pairing puck-moving defenseman at best. His ability to quarterback a second power-play unit and facilitate transitions makes him a candidate for the later rounds of the draft, provided a team believes they can refine his footwork and his pace. (Jeremy Rivet)

Veeti Rasanen - Wing - Jokerit (Mestis)/Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

Räsänen has established himself as a premier scoring threat in the Finnish U20 SM-sarja for the past two seasons, forcing his way onto the draft map through sheer offensive production combined with his 6-foot-3 frame. Räsänen is a pure goalscorer with a prototype frame for a modern power winger. His primary weapon is a heavy, deceptive wrist shot with a quick release that beats goalies from distance. He excels at finding soft ice in the offensive zone and is a constant threat on the power play, where he uses his reach and strength to protect pucks. While his offensive instincts are above average, his skating mechanics remain a work in progress. His first-step acceleration is average, which can make it difficult for him to create separation against professional defenders. Additionally, his defensive engagement and off-puck discipline require more consistency to survive at higher levels. He has the potential to become a bottom-six scoring winger with decent offensive upside as well as a versatile player that can play on the penalty kill if he develops his defensive game. Because of his rare combination of size and natural finishing ability, he is an interesting upside target for teams willing to invest in his development. He is likely to be a mid-to-late round pick in 2026, with the potential to rise if his professional transition in Finland continues to show he can score against men. (Jeremy Rivet)

Russia

Semyon Simonov

Semyon Simonov - Wing - Barys Astana (KHL)

After a point-per-game season in the MHL and solid look in the KHL last season, Simonov has adjusted to the pro game well. One of the top U21 producers in the KHL in his D+3 season, he puts up points with a quality shot and good off puck positioning. In transition, he makes himself an option along the wall to gain easy entry to the zone and is focused on putting pucks on net. He can fight off pressure well but he is held back by mediocre skating and a lack of skill. Defensively, he is an active player with a good motor but isn’t always successful at winning his battles. This holds true on the forecheck as well, as he's able to pressure opponents but isn’t quite effective in creating turnovers. A good rush attacker with a solid shot, but im not so sure there is an NHL caliber player here, the skating and skill needs to come a ways to be the middle six complementary winger that he will likely end up as in the KHL. (Mark Doherty)

Ivan Patrikhayev - Defense - CSKA Moskva (KHL)

Patrikhayev has found some more offense since his first draft eligible season. As a smaller puck-moving defenseman this is an important development in his game. He stands out in transition, with clean breakout passes and improved footwork to evade forechecks and maneuver up ice. With more activation and an ability to get shots off from the point, he has become more effective in the offensive end. Defensively, there is a lack of physicality, losing battles in front of the net, and can skate himself out of position at times but generally he has played well, supporting his defensive partner and doing his best to recover loose pucks and push the puck up ice. He likely tops out as a top four two-way puck mover in the KHL, as he lacks any NHL caliber tools. But the progression in his skating and overall two-way play could see him as a late round bet for teams who think there is still room for growth. (Mark Doherty)

Artur Faizov - Wing/Center - Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

Faizov's game is built around his fast pace of play, high motor, and effectiveness on the rush. At lower levels he dominates, forcing turnovers and creating odd man rushes constantly with his speed. The ability to cut off breakouts, attack opponents along the walls and send passes to the slot when turnovers occur on the half wall make him an exciting player to watch. This rambunctious style of play doesn't disappear at the pro level, as he looks solid in the VHL, but the increased physicality and skill in the KHL has caused some struggles in the second half of the year. His slender frame is an issue, unable to win battles he normally would in juniors, and the skill and speed he shows in juniors looks very pedestrian in the KHL. The details in his game, his ability to read play quickly, and ability to get to the middle of the ice are not translating effectively either. I really enjoy the way he plays, and if he gains muscle and works on the details of his game he can be an energy forward in the NHL one day, but it is a long shot. (Mark Doherty)

Maxim Gusev - Defense - Olimpiya Kirovo-Chepetsk (VHL)

Gusev is a steady puck moving defenseman who shines on the breakout and when joining the rush. His newfound confidence, and improved hockey sense and mobility, allow him to find passing lanes and act the trailing forward, driving the slot on zone entries. He picks his spots to activate tactically, gliding into open space, making sure he has support, and firing off shots from the high slot. With the puck on his stick, he's not a dynamic player, the slow first steps skating keep him from beating forwards one-on-one at the blue line or when he carries the puck himself. He keeps the game simple, drawing in defenders and hitting his teammates with accurate passes. What truly holds him back is the defensive game. He's far too passive and not very physical. The slow first steps lead to him getting burned on the rush, and he fails to pick up open players in front of the net. I like the offensive package as a bottom pair puck mover at the NHL level, but his defensive game needs to really take a step over the next few years. Finding a role in the KHL next year will be very important for his development. (Mark Doherty)

Mikhail Melikov - Wing - MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

Melikov has had an impressive year in the MHL, at the top of the scoring charts and playing big minutes for a good Dynamo Moskva team. He's been a much more noticeable player this season, forcing turnovers, getting involved in transition, and creating offense. He is able to do this by utilizing his great skating and high motor. The IQ has also taken a big step, he understands where to be on the ice to make himself dangerous and be a pest for opposing players. The offensive skills aren't elite, but the hands and playmaking are good enough to produce when paired with the motor and IQ. There is room to grow with his shot, as he tends to have a slow release, charging up his shots rather than quickly firing it on net. There are also moments of frustration in his body language where he can lose that effort for a few seconds but his intensity doesn't allow him to stay idle for long. I believe there is middle six potential for Melikov and there is a short list of draft eligible Russians that I would take before seriously considering him. (Mark Doherty)

Gleb Burlaka - Wing - Omskie Yastreby (MHL)

As an MHL rookie in his D+1 season Burlaka has garnered some attention with his point per game pace and his combination of skill and energy. A confident puck carrier with strong edges, he opens his hips to turn away from pressure, and his strong frame allows him to fight off checks and wait for passing lanes to open up. He attacks with speed but can slow the play down when necessary. His game is simple and effective, net driven, supportive and physical along the boards with plenty of compete. There is still a bit of rawness to Burlaka and despite the physicality and engagement he struggles to be the one doing the pressuring. Adding some muscle would help him pin players to walls or land heavy hits on the forecheck rather than just bouncing off defenders. The lack of real high-end skill may limit him to a bottom 6 role. He must add some strength to fulfill that, but his style of play and skating ability is a strong foundation that could lead to him getting selected. (Mark Doherty)

Yegor Gusev - Wing - Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)

Gusev has been very productive in his first full season in the MHL. A solid complimentary piece, he does the dirty work to help his line mates thrive and drives the net to collect rebounds and back door feeds. The workrate is impressive, as he hunts down opponents on the backcheck, is quick to apply pressure on the forecheck, and can muck it up in the corners or along the boards. A solid skating base, he can really get moving when he gets a head of steam, adding to that high motor play style. He is also not one to shy away from blocking shots in the defensive end. With that being said, he is a bit slow when reading play and processing information. Puck watching can be an issue at times and he's not always in good positions or picking the right lanes to attack on the rush. The skill is pretty average but there is a solid shot on him. He's a grinder, a bottom six role isn't out of the question as he's had a great rookie season in the MHL. If his IQ takes a step in the coming seasons he could be a player that coaches adore. (Mark Doherty)

Alexander Sapozhinkov - Defense - Kapitan Stupino (MHL)

A classic old school blueliner. Big, physical, and a booming slap shot. Can erase forwards along the boards and contribute on the forecheck when he activates. His long reach helps him shut down rushes, especially when forwards think they have him beat. Improvement in the offensive zone has led to increased production in the MHL. Simple plays, decent maneuverability along the blue line and finding space to get his powerful slap shot off, makes him an interesting player. The skating stride still needs plenty of work. It's short and choppy at times and he has trouble keeping up with pacey players, but his pivots and lateral mobility have come a long way. His tape at the KHL level was pretty concerning mostly due to his skating deficiencies and ability to make quick reads. At 6-foot-6 he still has time to grow into his body, and with patience, could be a decent depth defensemen in the long run. An interesting project to take a swing on in the later rounds. (Mark Doherty)

Ivan Fomin - Wing - Taifun Primorsky Krai (MHL)

Fomin is having an incredible D+1 season as one of the leading scorers in the MHL, while outscoring the second most productive guy on his team by almost 30 points. The undersized winger is as dynamic as they come. A high-end skater with great top speed, explosive edges and lateral mobility. Dazzling hands allow him to cut through defenses and get to the front of the net consistently. He has naturally grown in these areas but what stands out this season is his IQ and effort. He is all over the ice as is constantly finding himself in the right spots to win races to loose pucks and capitalize on mistakes and rebounds. The relentless motor helps him win board battles and fight hard in front of the net, necessary skills for a player his size. A zone entry machine and very creative passer in all areas of the ice. The concern is the frame and some moments of poor decision making and playing hero hockey. I want to hold my judgement till he can prove himself at the KHL level, but why not take a swing on the skillset in the later rounds and go from there? It's likely he ends up as a top six KHL scorer like Ruslan Iskhakov but there is top 6 upside, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is a future Russian FA target in the mold of a fellow undersized Russian FA target in Maxim Shabanov as he has more pace and energy then Shabonov and Iskhakov. (Mark Doherty)

Central Europe

Tomas Galvas of Czech Republic and Tij Iginla of Canada during the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship semifinal game between Canada and Czech Republic on January 4, 2026 in Saint Paul.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN

Tomas Galvas - Defense - Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

Tomáš Galvas has taken a clear step forward over the past two seasons, transitioning from a depth role into a more impactful puck-moving defenseman in a pro environment. After posting modest production in 2024–25 (11 points in 43 games), he significantly elevated his offensive output this season, producing at close to a point-per-game pace in limited minutes and carrying that confidence into international play. His biggest driver of progression is his puck play. Galvas is a fluid skater with strong edgework, allowing him to escape pressure and lead controlled exits. He consistently makes quick first passes and shows improved assertiveness activating into the rush. At the World Juniors level, he handled elevated responsibility and contributed offensively, reinforcing his trajectory as a modern transition defenseman. Defensively, he still relies more on positioning and stick detail than strength. He can be outmuscled in net-front situations and will need to add physical maturity to handle pro forechecks consistently. Projection-wise, Galvas is trending toward a puck-moving, second-unit type defenseman. His skating and decision-making give him NHL utility, but his long-term upside will depend on how much strength and defensive reliability he can add. (Marek Novotny)

Matěj Maštalířský - Wing - HC Verva Litvínov (Czechia)

Maštalířský is an offensively capable winger, but he didn't produce enough in the Czech top tier league in the past few years. The second half of the 2025-26 season was much better, although he did play on the worst team in the league. Maštalířský is a smart player who may not stand out at first glance, but he plays a solid two-way game and uses his hockey IQ effectively at both ends of the ice. He works hard and skates well, even though he's not the speediest player on the ice and doesn't strike as an energy guy. The size is decent at 6'1", however, at 176 lbs he could add on some muscle to better withstand physical play. Maštalířský may be an option for the upcoming NHL Draft, he's made some progress over the past few years and the improvement in the second half of the season was notable. He may become a middle-six option in the future but needs to add more muscle. He's smart, a decent skater and plays a reliable two-way game. (Matej Deraj)

Matej Kubiesa - Wing - HC Oceláři Třinec (Czechia)

Matej Kubiesa has worked his way back into draft consideration through increased offensive responsibility and strong production at the professional level this season. Playing in the Chance Liga, he is producing at better than a point-per-game rate, reflecting a more consistent role and greater involvement in offensive situations compared to previous years. His game is centered around off-puck play and finishing ability. Kubiesa reads the offensive zone effectively, finding space between defenders and arriving into scoring areas with good timing. His shot is his most reliable tool, featuring a quick release that allows him to convert chances efficiently, particularly from the slot and faceoff circles. He tends to play a direct style, supporting the puck and finishing plays rather than creating through extended possession. His skating remains average, especially in his first-step acceleration, which limits separation against faster opponents. While he competes, his physical presence is not consistently applied, particularly along the boards. Projection is as a depth winger with secondary scoring upside, with his long-term outlook tied to improvements in pace and consistency. (Marek Novotny)

Tomáš Královič - Defence - HC Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)

Královič made a huge leap compared to his previous season in the Slovak league, with nearly double the ice time. He was one of the leading scorers among defensemen in the league and even set a new record for most points in a U21 season. Královič has an intriguing profile. He has an ideal size at 6'3", 203 lbs, and plays a very physical game. He is more of an offensive defenseman who likes to join the rush and shoots the puck a ton. His defensive game still needs some polishing, but the overall archetype is very interesting. As a 6-foot-3, right-shot, offensively capable defenseman with some bite to his game, there must be NHL interest. On the downside, Královič is quite short-tempered and tends to take a lot of unnecessary penalties. He also needs to continue improving defensively. His skating is decent, but it's not a standout trait. If Královič isn’t picked as an overager, he will be a strong candidate to sign an NHL contract as a free agent. I see him as a bottom-four option in the future. (Matej Deraj)

Lenny Boos - Wing/Center - Düsseldorfer EG (DEL2)/Youngstown (USHL)

A lightly built player with good wheels and some solid hockey IQ, Boos was a guy we liked in his draft year but knew that neither his domestic nor international experience afforded him any real shot at being a draft consideration. This season, he successfully made his way into a top 9 DEL2 role with several appearances for Bremerhaven in the DEL and Champions Hockey League. His solid WJC performance as Germany’s #1 center, which included a 4-point relegation game performance in a key victory over Denmark, must have opened some eyes because he transferred to the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL shortly - and unexpectedly - thereafter, where he collected 7 points and a + rating in his first 10 outings. The son of a long-time German pro and national team player, we can attest that Boos is very coachable and plays with confidence. Also, he’ll be 19 right on through late November and still has plenty of leeway for physical and skill-related development. (Chapin Landvogt)

Niklas Blessing - Defense - Biel-Bienne (NL)

Blessing continues a trend among Swiss defensemen showing up as overage draft candidates after several years of high-level pro hockey. He wasn’t really on the map in his draft year and then was brought along slowly but soundly in his DY+1, where he saw more time at the NL level than anywhere else. This season, the average sized, yet well-built Blessing has become a full-time NL defenseman with a sound two-way game, often logging over 18 minutes of TOI per night. And it’s been that way all season long, without any lulls, even leading to a top five role at the WJC. His numbers this season have been very much akin to those of Ludvig Johnson, who was drafted as an overager with lesser numbers last summer. (Chapin Landvogt)

Daniil Ustinkov - Defense - Küsnacht Lions (SL)

As a 17-year-old underager, Ustinkov put up 4 points at the U18 worlds and headed into his draft season looking like a top 60 topic. A stocky defenseman whose game we’ve often compared to that of a Dmitry Kulikov, Ustinkov saw his so-so Hlinka Gretzky Cup performance carry with him throughout his draft year, which to his credit was spent primarily playing solid pro hockey at both the SL and NL levels. But defensively weak WJC and U18 Worlds tourneys saw him go undrafted. His DY+1 featured him in a more prominent role at the SL level but without any fanfare and no international performances of note, being left off the WJC squad. This season, he was back at the WJC, where he showed very well for himself (4 assists in 5 games). Further, he’s been one of Küsnacht’s top 3 defenders, suiting up 15 times for NL power Zug along the way. An NL contract is in the bag for next season, and he’ll be 19 right on up through the draft. The multifaceted tools are there for a team wanting low-profile but dependable defensive organizational depth. (Chapin Landvogt)

2026 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Daily Recap- January 2nd, 2026 – Game Summaries – Standout Performances – Notable Draft Eligible Prospects

Kyle Pereira and Linc Zdancewicz — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 16:32:53 +0000

RELEGATION

Germany and Denmark geared up for the right to stay up in the top division early on Friday morning, with the Germans suiting up for their third straight relegation round. The game commenced with a consistent attack from Germany, who struck early on from a David Lewandowski snipe to go up 1-0. Ferocity didn’t dissipate from there on, as both teams were called for different high-sticking calls. Germany killed their penalty, however, Denmark was unable to, with Maxim Schafer jamming the puck home to take a 2-0 lead. Later on, Denmark went back on the power play, where Mads Klyvo would get open to successfully convert this time for the Danes. The first period ended shortly after with a slight German advantage at 2-1.

At the outset of the second, Germany jumped on the puck early, getting possession and scoring quickly; Manuel Schams fired a shot that hit a Danish defender’s skate to go up 3-1 in the middle period. Less than two minutes later, Germany added to their lead from a beautiful Simon Seidl wrister, putting themselves fully in the driver's seat of this relegation game. However, the Danes didn’t stay down for long. On the power play, Mads Klyvo found a lane yet again to cut the lead to two, and just four minutes later, William Bundgaard maneuvered behind the net, finding Oliver Green to cut the lead to one going into the final period. However, in that fateful third period, the Danes would take consecutive penalties to give the Germans a two-man advantage early in the period, in which they would score from Dustin Wilhoft, who weaved his way to sneak the puck backhand to tuck his second of the tournament.

The third drew down with both teams scoring again, with Manuel Schams scoring for the Germans and Anton Linde for Denmark. Another penalty for Denmark gave Germany an even larger margin of victory on the stick of Lenny Boos. Finally, late Tobias Schwarz would pot an empty netter to ensure an even more dominant German victory. The Danes officially will be relegated next year, with the Norwegians coming back up into the Top division in Edmonton and Red Deer.

Ivar Stenberg of Sweden and Krists Retenais of Latvia during the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship quarterfinal game between Sweden and Latvia on January 2, 2026 in Saint Paul.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN

SWEDEN v LATVIA

The first quarterfinals matchup of the day, it would be the winner of Group A, Sweden, taking on Latvia. Sweden got off to a very quick start, wasting absolutely no time on a bad Latvian turnover on a defensive retrieval. It was Anton Frondell who struck first, about 10 seconds in, after he got a piece of the shot from Leo Sahlin Wallenius from the point. After as bad a start as they could have, the Latvians would find some momentum. Early, they were not exposing a weakness that the Swedes had shown previously; their defensemen struggled with breakouts when under pressure. But Latvia would put the pressure on and start getting some looks. It led to back-to-back power plays, and on the second opportunity, Kristers Ansons would fire a beautiful shot past Love Harenstam to tie the game up at one. But just as quickly as it seemed the Latvians found their stride, they would resort to a chess match with Sweden. While they did a good job forcing dump-ins and preventing the Swedes from consistently getting to the slot, Lucas Pettersson would work his way down low with the puck as Jack Berglund drove the slot, and Pettersson would put the puck exactly where it needed to be, and Berglund put it home.

Again, in the second period, Latvia would resort to a chess match. They weren’t pressuring the Swedish defenders, instead resorting to a sort of neutral zone trap. While it forced the Swedes to dump pucks in instead of enter the offensive zone with possession, and keep them to the perimeter for the most part, they were not skilled enough nor fast enough to hold Sweden’s stars off for long. Sascha Boumedienne would put home a nice set up from Alfons Freij while Berglund blinded Nils Maurins with his screen in front. Ivar Stenberg dominated possession for much of that offensive zone time as well, helping create the opening for the goal. Less than two minutes later, Felix Carrell would score as he stepped down from the point and took a smart feed from Victor Eklund to blast home, quickly turning what was a one-goal lead into a three goal lead.

In the third period, things started very chippy, with Alberts Smits throwing a late hit after the whistle on Linus Eriksson, who retaliated, creating a big scrum. But despite Smits trying to ignite his team, it would not matter, as Frondell would score his second of the game on an excellent shot to put his team up 5-1. Latvia would not go down without a fight, as Karlis Flugins would fire home a brilliant shot to cut the deficit to three, giving them a glimmer of hope. But after some more back and forth, with neither team willing to make a mistake, it would once again be the more skilled team who drew blood. This time, it was Leo Sahlin Wallenius who beat Maurins with a seeing eye shot from the point to re-claim the four-goal lead. However, Alfons Freij took a bad delay of game penalty, and Latvia would take advantage very quickly, as Olivers Murnieks would score just 12 seconds in on the man-advantage, cutting the deficit back down to three. But that would be all she wrote, as Sweden would send Latvia packing, while they punched their ticket to the semi-finals and a guaranteed shot at a medal.

MVPs:

Sweden: Jack Berglund, Anton Frondell, Ivar Stenberg

Latvia: Olivers Murnieks, Nils Maurins, Krisjanis Sarts

CZECHIA v SWITZERLAND

Czechia and Switzerland has been an anticipated one for the quarter finals because both teams have seriously pressured the top dogs in this tournament. The Swiss got to their game early in this one, shutting down the Czech pressure and adding pressure of their own to boot. Shortly after not scoring on their first power play, Leon Muggli launched one that squeaked under Marik to give the Swiss a 1-0 lead. From there the Swiss were still shutting down their opponents and overall giving more effort in the first, though the Czechs started to break through towards the intermission.

Czechia came out hot for the second, Tomas Galvas grabbed their first goal on some incredible edge work and a tricky shot, tying the Swiss a minute in. The game truly stayed close as both were vying for possession aggressively. Radim Mrtka’s stick was too aggressive as he was taken to the box for high-sticking, that penalty resulted in a Jamiro Reber goal from an impressive Jonah Neuenschwander feed to go up by one once again. The Czechs still played it close and Samuel Drancak finally broke through, willing his way past several Swiss defenders to bury his chance under Kirsch to tie it up.

Shortly after the equalizer, an awkward broken play off the faceoff lead to Adam Jiricek finding a loose puck by the boards and firing it into an open net, Kirsch did not see the shot and the Czechs grabbed their first lead of the game 3-2. Czechia seemed to grab control of the game from there, putting way more quality chances on net, scoring another one off the stick of Petr Sikora to put them ahead by two, a lead they would take into the third period at 4-2.

That domination would continue to start the third, controlling possession once again. Jiri Klima put the game officially out of reach at even strength, with the Czechs leading 5-2. As the desperation of the Swiss continued to mount, Ludvig Johnson took a boarding penalty that gave the opportunistic Czechs another great chance to extend their lead, and extend they would with Jakub Fibigr netting his first of the tournament. The period would shortly draw to an end after that, with the Czechs looking more than dominant after a slow start to this game, they move on to the Semis.

MVP’s

Czechia: Tomas Galvas, Petr Sikora, Samuel Drancak

Switzerland: Leon Muggli, Mike Aeschliman, Jamiro Reber.

USA v FINLAND

After a disappointing loss for both teams in their final group stage matchups, both USA and Finland are looking to bounce back. The first period would see both teams playing two totally different styles, with a lot of give and take. The US were flying up ice and moving the puck very quickly around the offensive zone, and it led to some excellent looks, especially on their power play opportunity. But Petteri Rimpinen was up to the task, and Finland’s defensive structure was still sound despite the US getting some good looks. Meanwhile, the Finns were playing composed, patient, and advantageous hockey. The US would turn the puck over multiple times in key spots, leading to several golden opportunities. This time, it was Nick Kempf who stood tall, matching Rimpinen’s start.

In the second period, the US would get off to a much faster start, killing off the rest of their penalty at the end of the first, then immediately finding the back of the net. Cole Hutson would announce his return in style with a great shot after a great rush and set up by LJ Mooney, who is finding a groove over these last few games. But the Finns would get things under control, scoring a goal of their own, with Heikki Ruohonen putting it home. Ruohonen won a battle in the corner off the dump and chase, with Max Westergard working along the wall before spinning back low and putting the puck on a platter for Ruohonen. About five minutes after evening the score, the Finns would make a crucial mistake and take a too many men penalty, giving the US another power play. This time, Cole Eiserman would not be denied, as Hutson yet again makes a great play, setting up a one-timer for Eiserman by threading the needle.

In the third period, it would be more and more of that same game. Just a masterclass of skill and smarts from both teams, waiting for the right opportunity. Finland, late in the game, found the back of the net, with a ridiculous pass from Aron Kiviharju to Leo Tuuva to tie the game. Then five seconds later, yes, literally five seconds later, Finland’s Joona Saarelainen would give them their first lead of the game, off another ridiculous pass from Tuuva this time. The US would pull their goalie, and as soon as the extra attacker hit the ice, Ryker Lee would finish off a brilliant pass from James Hagens in tight to beat Rimpinen in the slot, and the game was tied. It felt like the building was shaking, the energy was fully awakened in this building. And to overtime we went!

The Finns would establish possession and hold onto it for much of the OT period, outside of one good look for Teddy Stiga. That would pay dividends, as Finland’s Matias Vanhanen would play the puck to the bottom of the right circle, where Arttu Valila would beat Kempf on the blocker side, sending the USA’s hopes for a three-peat out the window, while they join their rivals Sweden and Czechia, while they await the outcome of Canada and Slovakia for the final semi-final spot.

MVPs:

USA: Cole Hutson, Ryker Lee, Cole Eiserman

Finland: Daniel Nieminen, Joona Saarelainen, Heikki Ruohonen

CANADA v SLOVAKIA

The final quarter-final matchup seemed to be the most predictable prior to the game but Slovakia came to play in the early part of the first. Both teams had their chances early, with Slovakia matching Canada physically. After several more close chances, Keaton Verhoeff fired a shot on net that was finished by his North Dakota teammate Cole Reschny to give Canada the lead with around six to go in the period. Just a minute later, Tij Iginla came streaking down the perimeter and released a tight shot that bounced right out the back of the net, putting Canada up 2-0.

The Canadians kept the pressure on tight, dominating chances with Michael Misa scoring an incredible goal by himself to further the blowout. After letting in his third goal on 12 shots, Michal Pradel was pulled in favor of Alan Lendak. On the very next shot, Carson Carels launched a blocked shot on net that got cleaned up by Sam O’Reilly to further beat up on the Slovaks. Tomas Pobezal took a costly penalty to put Canada on their dangerous power play, where Gavin McKenna passed a magical feed to Brady Martin to bury it for the 5-0 lead to end the first.

The second continued to be a dominant one for Canada, but the scoring didn’t appear until almost ten minutes in, when Porter Martone netted his fourth of the tournament, and shortly after, Cole Beaudoin got another in his belt when he lifted one past Lendak to put Canada up 7-0 midway through the second. As the period wound down, the Slovaks found themselves in an interesting chance in their offensive zone, and they converted off the stick of Jan Chovan, who found a lane through traffic to give the Slovaks a point just before the second intermission.

MVPsCanada: Michael Misa, Michael Hage, Keaton VerhoeffSlovakia: Tobias Pitka, Alan Lendak, Jan Chovan

INDIVIDUAL REPORTS

Leon Muggli (SWI) 1G

It seems that Washington has an abundance of riches in their prospect core, just look at the performance of Muggli from today. The entire tournament, he has been Switzerland’s best puck mover and finished tied as the leading scorer. Muggli’s skating and edgework along the blueline have been both excellent and not overly flashy. He is the perfect combination of aggressive and stable when running at the top of the offensive zone, and that was exemplified with his goal to take the early lead in this one. Muggli’s retrievals have also been a strong point as he has been able to get it out for the Swiss at those high-danger moments against both strong and weak opponents. His gap control in this game was very solid despite finishing as a -1 on the day. Muggli’s main strength comes from that composure in the neutral zone, going both ways. It’s just another feather in the cap of the Capitals for grabbing this kid when they did in 2024.

Michael Misa (CAN) 1G 1A

By far, Michael Misa’s best performance of the tournament, as he came out of the gate flying and looking like he was about to score 134 points again. His rushes were elite, and teammates Tij Iginla and Porter Martone were given chance after chance repeatedly in the first. Misa buried his first goal to put Canada up by three while he was doing what he does best, finding open ice without the puck. Misa’s knack for finding chances to score is impeccable, and it’s why he’s been one of the guys Canada leans on in these games. His assist came from the other really strong point of his game, on the rush to Porter Martone. Misa has thrived in making chaos on the neutral ice, making a lot of great pushes through the Slovak line to wear them out early. Lastly, Misa was showing a bit of spite and physicality in his game, something that was new to this quarterfinal matchup. If he continues to get involved physically, being unafraid to run into a defenseman in the middle of the offensive zone, then he will add another level of danger in open ice.

Anton Frondell (SWE) 2G

The Chicago Blackhawks 3rd overall selection last year, Frondell had as good a game as Sweden could have asked from him. He got the game started with a goal 10 seconds in, driving towards the net as the point shot came in, getting the deflection and beating the Latvian netminder. Then, with a strong lead already, Frondell really added salt to the Latvians wounds with a phenomenal shot. When Frondell is on, he is hard to slow down. He can shoot, he can dish out passes, and he’s a big, strong forward who can win battles all over the ice when necessary. If the Swedes want to strike gold at this tournament, he will be one of their biggest keys to success.

Joona Saarelainen (FIN) 1G 1A

The Tampa Bay Lightning 5th round draft choice had his best game of the tournament thus far. Against the US, it was clear early on which team was faster and playing with more pace. The US were generating chances left and right early in this game, using their speed and skill to try and overwhelm the Finns. Saarelainen stood out because of that, as he was one of the faster paced Finns out on the ice against the Americans. He was moving his feet all game long, and was noticeably quick in this contest, giving the Finns a different element when he was on the ice. While it took some time to manifest into points, it was Saarelainen and his linemates who played the heroes. In one shift, just five seconds apart, Saarelainen would get an assist on the game-tying goal and score the go-ahead goal with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation. While the US would force overtime, the Finns would still take it home. But it’s fair to wonder, if not for Saarelainen and his linemates, would the Finns have gone home instead? Going into a matchup with the very fast and skilled Swedes, who out-classed the Americans previously, they’re again going to need Saarelainen to stand out in his depth role to win his matchups and create offense.

DRAFT ELIGIBLES

Gavin McKenna (CAN) (1A)

McKenna kept his points streak alive against Slovakia but more than that, his more well-rounded game was on display for all to see early on. His passing prowess was on display for all to see once again on the power play, showing off how elite his skills were on multiple chances, finally converting off a feed to Brady Martin. What was even more exciting was the effort on display in the neutral and defensive zone that many pundits critiqued him for. Behind the net, on loose pucks, along the boards, we have seen a new energy from McKenna in this tournament when approaching his two-way game and scouts are taking notice. He has been key to Canada coming out energetic and keeping the foot on the gas pedal with his play. Lastly his knack for converting plays in the neutral zone has been excellent. Where other big teams have been exposed in the neutral zone on rushes, McKenna has made sure to turn many of Canada’s transitions into offensive zone possessions; he knows how to find those lanes quickly. McKenna’s instincts have been great, and he has made his first overall case stronger than ever through his first five games.

Ivar Stenberg (SWE) 1A

Stenberg, who is trying to add as much as he can to his case for being the first pick off the board in 2026, stood out in a big way against Latvia. This wasn’t the cleanest game for Sweden, nor was it for Stenberg, yet they still outclassed a weaker Latvian team. It comes down to just how much raw skill Stenberg has, which has allowed him to really shine at times here at this tournament and back with his club in the SHL. In fact, Stenberg had his best individual moment of this tournament on the powerplay in the second period. Late in the powerplay, Stenberg showed off how elite his ability is to control and protect the puck when it’s on his stick, holding off defenders and looking to set up his teammates. As the powerplay expired, he would continue playing a bit of keep-away with the Latvian defenders, before setting up what ended up being the crucial third goal of the game for Sweden.

2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – CZECHIA – Team Preview, Key Players and Draft Eligible Profiles

Marek Novotny — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 21:50:41 +0000

Czechia enters the 2026 World Junior Championship with growing confidence and genuine expectations. Over the last three tournaments, the national junior program has transformed from a dark horse into a reliable contender for medals in international hockey. The silver finish in 2023 rekindled belief, and the two consecutive bronze medals showed it was not just a one-time achievement. This current roster showcases years of building momentum. The group heading to Minnesota is younger than last season, yet their identity is clear. Czechia has become fast, battle-tested, and noticeably more confident on the ice.

Recent World Junior history has given Czech hockey some unforgettable moments. Two years ago, the team won bronze with a dramatic comeback against Finland in the medal game. That night demonstrated the maturity and emotional strength of a young group. Last season brought another milestone when Czechia eliminated Canada in the quarterfinals, showcasing structure, poise, and disciplined execution against a tournament favorite. These successes have shifted the national program from a respected competitor to a team that opponents must truly prepare for. This tournament comes with a new goal: to prove that the medal successes were not mere coincidence and to pursue the biggest prize, which has eluded the nation since the early 2000s.

On paper, Czechia has clear strengths. The program benefits from young players stepping into significant roles in strong professional settings. Several forwards rank among the most productive scorers in their North American leagues, while the defense features a blend of modern puck movement and traditional size. Concerns lie in goal, where previous years offered stability and experience, but this edition starts with open competition. Still, Czechia believes it has enough talent to navigate the early rounds while solidifying its goaltending situation.

Expect fast transition play, aggressive forechecking, and a defensive group eager to control the game instead of just defending. Czechia has reached a point where medals are not just dreams but attainable goals and matching the historic run of four consecutive podium finishes is genuinely within reach.

Key Players to Watch

Adam Novotny of Czech Republic and David Granberg of Sweden during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Sweden and Czech Republic on December 31, 2024 in Ottawa.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN

Adam Novotny – Wing (2026 Draft)

Novotny is one of the brightest forward prospects Czechia has produced in years. His background is already impressive. He scored in the Czech top league at just fifteen and played two full seasons against men before moving to the OHL. His adjustment to Canada has gone smoothly. He plays with strong reading ability, excellent puck control in traffic, and an attacking mindset that pressures defenders. Novotny has a powerful shot and has made noticeable progress as a playmaker this season, especially with quick passing combinations in the offensive zone. For Czechia, he is expected to take on top-line responsibilities and be a key player on the power play. His size, poise, and awareness make him a strong candidate to be one of the tournament's standout forwards.

VANTAA, FINLAND - APRIL 26: Adam Benak #9 of Czechia controls the puck against Kashawn Aitcheson #2 in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Vantaa Trio Arena on April 26, 2024 in Vantaa, Finland. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF6

Adam Benak – Center (Minnesota Wild)

Benak enters this tournament after an impressive scoring streak in the OHL, proving that his game holds up against elite Canadian junior competition. His offensive skills are clear. He drives to the middle of the ice, evades checks with smooth edge control, and has the vision to break down defenses. He can score from distance with a quick shot that surprises goalies. What elevates Benak beyond pure skill is his pace. He hunts pucks, wins battles, and brings possession through controlled zone entries. Czechia will rely on him to spark the offense and make key plays on special teams. His confidence is high, and this platform could elevate his recognition internationally.

Tomas Galvas of Czech Republic during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Czech Republic and Slovakia on December 29, 2024 in Ottawa.
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN

Tomas Galvas – Defense (2026 Draft, third year of eligibility)

Galvas arrives with experience beyond his years. He logs significant minutes in the Czech top league, often matched against strong opponents and trusted in all situations. His strength is skating. He effectively reads rush threats, closes gaps quickly, and turns defensive stops into breakouts. Galvas handles the puck well under pressure and makes smart, steady decisions. His offensive stats may not stand out, but his impact is substantial because he stabilizes play. In short tournaments, where single mistakes can shape outcomes, Galvas provides a calming presence. Expect him to play top pair shifts and support both sides of special teams.

Vaclav Nestrasil - Wing (Chicago Blackhawks)

Nestrasil has taken one of the most interesting development paths in Czech hockey. From doubts about his hockey future to a strong USHL breakout and a productive start in the NCAA, his rise has been consistent. He has a tall build, long reach, and an unyielding work ethic that suits modern international play. Offensively, he excels around the goal, screening goalies, deflecting shots, and fighting for rebounds. He has soft hands in tight spaces, and his passing is underrated. When off the puck, he is disciplined and strong on defense. Czechia sees him as an important winger who makes contributions on both ends and sets a physical tone for top lines.

Radim Mrtka – Defense (Buffalo Sabres)

Mrtka is a complete right-shot defenseman who combines reach, mobility, and defensive insight. His ability to shut down rush attempts is notable. He angles attackers toward the boards, disrupts plays early, and moves the puck confidently. Czechia views him as a key player for matchups against top forwards. He will be relied upon in late-game situations, on penalty kills, and during high-pressure moments. His presence should help Czechia manage defensive play with stability and order.

Other Draft Eligible Players to Watch

Jakub Vanecek - Defense (2026 Draft)

Vanecek is the youngest player on the roster and one of the most intriguing long-term prospects. His puck movement and confidence to take possession deep into the offensive zone demonstrate natural vision. His recent experience in the WHL has polished his defensive play and added physical responsibility. Scouts see him as an exciting two-way player in development.

Vladimir Dravecky - Defense (2026 Draft)

Dravecky arrives at this tournament as a mobile right-shot defender with strong potential. His year in the OHL has improved his physical play and sharpened his decision-making under forechecking pressure. He plays confidently when retrieving the puck, keeps his feet moving, and can exit the defensive zone through skating or passing. While his defensive reads are still maturing, his abilities are strong enough to earn trust at this level. With more consistency, he could become one of the breakout stories in the Czech draft class.

2025 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES – Overage Draft Eligible Prospects – Part Three – Europe

Felix Robbins, Jérémy Rivet, Henry Lawrence, Matej Deraj, Chapin Landvogt — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 15:52:59 +0000

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

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

Last year, eight “re-entry” candidates went in the top four rounds; Ilya Nabokov, Jesse Pulkkinen, Ondrej Becher, Pavel Moysevich, Trevor Hoskin, Chase Pietila, Dmitri Gamzin, and Blake Montgomery. Nabokov and Pulkkinen were taken in the second round. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1): (Part 2): (Part 3): We wrote about six of those eight. In total there were 42 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 42, we identified and wrote about 25 (well over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2025, we have some very interesting candidates. Tanner Adams, a player we have ranked and written about previously, continues to improve at the NCAA level with Providence and has emerged as one of the better players in Hockey East. Jamiro Reber and David Granberg look like great picks out of Sweden. Reber has been fantastic in the SHL this year, while Granberg was one of Sweden’s top players at the WJC’s. Magomed Sharakanov has emerged as one of the top young defenders in the KHL. Kristian Epperson has paired with Michael Misa in Saginaw to become one of the OHL’s elite play drivers. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

This is part three of the series, putting the spotlight on those re-entries available from leagues across Europe.

Sweden

250311 Linköpings Adam Hofbauer och HV71s Jamiro Reber under ishockeymatchen i SHL mellan HV71 och Linköping den 11 mars 2025 i Jönköping.
Foto: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN / kod CS / CS0691

Jamiro Reber – Center/Wing - HV71 (SHL)

Reber was an analytical darling and a favourite among public scouts in 2024, but NHL teams did not see things the same way. The undersized Swiss forward put up solid numbers in the J20 with HV71, but the bar for players like Reber is insanely high. That, plus not having such a great U18 WJC, put Reber back into the draft pool for 2025. That may have been a blessing in disguise. Reber has taken a massive leap this season, seizing an every day spot in HV71’s SHL team and is currently leading all DY+1 SHL players in points (ahead of drafted prospects like Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Melvin Fernström and Lucas Pettersson). Reber could be an interesting case study for scouts, as very little about the way he plays the game has changed. He’s still aggressive on the forecheck and backcheck, using his quick feet and good motor to harangue puck carriers and force turnovers. He can zip through the neutral zone and move the puck, either on his own stick or through smart passing. Once play arrives in the offensive zone, things get a bit murky – not unlike last year. For all the moments of skillful stickhandling and clever cuts into soft ice, there are still moments where Reber simply chips the puck from low to high and defers playmaking responsibility.

While he’s clearly trying to improve, Reber still has a tough time grabbing the bull by the horns and creating offence himself. However, the fact that Reber is getting consistent reps in the SHL (as well as special teams minutes), working hard to improve his game, and putting up points all the while bodes very well for his NHL potential. On top of it all, he’s a 2006 September birthday – one week removed from 2025 eligibility. A late round swing on Reber could yield fantastic results, so long as he stays on his current developmental trajectory. He may not have a future in a teams top 6, but he could project nicely as a 3rd line energy forward who can give you secondary scoring and responsible two-way play. (Felix Robbins)

David Granberg – Center - Luleå (SHL)

Granberg went unnoticed during his draft year, splitting time between Luleå’s J18 and J20 teams with limited production. Last year, he found his man-strength and took a mighty step in the right direction, scoring over a point per game in the J20 and earning some games in SHL as well. However, he didn’t show enough projectable offence to move the needle for scouts. This year, after establishing himself as an everyday SHLer and surprising the hockey world with an outstanding WJC U20 performance, Granberg can be ignored no further. Granberg plays a physical, hard-nosed brand of hockey. He’s a hard forechecker with good size and a steady work rate, not unlike his uncle Mikael Renberg was in his heyday with the Flyers. He’s always found points at the junior level by going to the gritty areas of the ice and battling or by insulating the puck for his more skilled teammates. However, the boost to his draft stock has to do with the flashes of high-end puck skills and refinement to his shot, which showed up in a big way on the world stage. While he still needs a ton of work to his straight-line speed and quickness, there may finally be enough upside to take a swing on for the double-overager from Piteå. He’ll most likely top out as a gritty bottom six role-player who’s good for the locker room. Not the flashiest pick by any means, but you cannot win without players like Granberg in your organization. (Felix Robbins)

Isac Hedqvist – Wing - Luleå (SHL)

Despite his J20 production skyrocketing and locking down an SHL role, Hedqvist was once again passed over at the draft and once again finds himself on our list. All signs pointed to him having a breakout year in 2024-2025, but that hasn’t really materialized yet. Sure, the production has taken a natural step forward, but Hedqvist still looks like the same player as last year – for better or for worse. Hedqvist is a speedy, undersized forward who excels at hunting down pucks on offensive retrievals, grinding out possession for his team along the walls, and making plays from dirty areas to the slot. He can withstand physical pressure from bigger and stronger opponents in battles for position and open up space for his teammates with his off-puck movement on the rush. He flashed a lot of skill and pace-pushing puck carrying ability in the junior leagues, but the on-puck game still isn’t where it needs to be at the pro level. If that doesn’t change soon, his ultimate upside may not be all that appealing to NHL teams and his path to the show will be in serious jeopardy. That being said, there may still be a glimmer of hope. He played well at the U20 WJC down the lineup for Sweden, where he showcased his tenacious forechecking and efficient transition play. Getting picked to represent your country at the biggest junior tournament of the year is always a draft stock booster. If Hedqvist can build upon that heading into the new year, hopefully flashing some more offence along the way, there’s a good chance he could earn himself draft consideration. (Felix Robbins)

Wilhelm Hallquisth – Defense - HV71 (SHL)

Through his first two years of draft eligibility, Hallquisth didn’t stand out among the swaths of Swedish talent in the pool. Looking at his pre-2024-2025 resume, it’s easy to see why. Splitting time between the J18 and the J20 in his draft season, not putting up world beating numbers in the J20 as a DY+1, and a humble U19 appearance doesn’t exactly jump off the page. This year is a different story. Hallquisth has got off to a nice start to his 2025 campaign, seeing consistent minutes in the SHL on a bottom pair role with SHL and finding the score sheet every now and then. In addition, he was one of the four surprise undrafted players to be selected for Sweden’s 2025 U20 WJC team, which is like a shot in the arm for any players draft stock. Hallquist is a mobile right shot defenceman who can quickly move the puck in a straight line from the defensive zone and through the neutral zone. Despite being a touch undersized, he’s a strong defender, using his feet and his stick to maintain gaps and taking away the middle of the ice from puck carriers. While he certainly has the skating ability for it, Hallquist isn’t as active along or below the offensive blue line as one might hope from a player with his toolset. He doesn’t seem to have the processing speed, stickhandling ability or playmaking creativity that, say, an Axel Sandin-Pellikka has. As a result, a good deal of his offence comes from D-to-D passes and shots from the point. While the skate tool is clearly above average and there may very well be more development potential here, it is difficult to project Hallquisth to the NHL. If the offensive side of things never comes along, he might be too small for a defensive puck-moving role on the bottom pair. In that case, what does he do for you? If a team has a clear idea of what he could be and how to best utilize his skating, Hallquisth could be a very savvy pick up in the later rounds of the draft. (Felix Robbins)

Hugo Pettersson – Wing - HV71 (SHL)

Over the course of his draft eligibility, Pettersson has been somewhat of a late bloomer. He split time between the J18 and the J20 in his first year of eligibility, bounced between the SHL and the J20 as a DY+1, and has finally found himself getting reps in the pros full time in this season. He’s struggled to make much of an impact in sheltered minutes with HV71, in part due to his inability to keep up with play at the SHL level (both physically and mentally), but his loan to Kalmar HC in the HockeyAllsvenskan has been a real boon for his development. More TOI (including powerplay minutes) has led to more point production, which in turn has led to Pettersson looking more and more confident with every game he’s played. Pettersson’s primary offensive tool is his wicked wrist shot. He’s a volume shooter who can get the puck on and off his stick quickly and accurately. He’s great at finding little pockets of ice in dangerous areas but doesn’t have much by way of space creation tools. His small area skill has taken a step but isn’t a reliable asset for him at the moment. He’s a bit passive on the forecheck and doesn’t chip in all that much on the other side of the puck. He doesn’t play a tenacious, physical brand of hockey, and attempts to do so at the SHL level made him look like the 19-year-old kid that he is. Still some filling out to do, clearly. On the plus side, he’s looked more involved in play off-puck while on loan with Kalmar, so there may be hope yet. While some may view Pettersson as a one-trick pony, that trick is putting the puck in the net – something you can never have enough of. With continued improvement to his quickness and the details of his off-puck game, Pettersson may be able to forge a path to the NHL in a depth scoring role in a team’s bottom 6. (Felix Robbins)

Felix Öhrqvist – Defense - Linköping HC (SHL)

It is never easy for 5-foot-8 defencemen to get drafted, much less so if you don’t put up otherworldly production in your draft year. Even then, most NHL teams won’t give you the light of day. Bias or no bias, Öhrqvist did not show enough upside to hear his name called in 2024. He played a competitive, defensive puck moving style, but it was impossible to project him to the NHL in that role. This year has been a completely different story. Öhrqvist seems to have reinvented himself. He’s added a touch of quickness and evasiveness to his skating. He’s started being more aggressive in the offensive zone. He’s trusting his skill and creativity to make plays in high danger areas of the ice. Naturally, the points have started piling up– from the J20 to the pros. What’s equally as impressive is how he isn’t sacrificing results on the defensive side of the puck to do what he’s doing – at least, any more than he was before. He does need to learn to pick his spots to walk the blue line and try to dangle around forwards closing him out, but that’s a lesson he’ll learn with enough reps at the pro level. While Öhrqvist has finally shown the offensive upside scouts look for in undersized defencemen, he still comes with all the risks attached to, well, being a 5-foot-8 defenceman. That means extreme boom-bust, and even a “boom” in this case means probable bottom four potential. He also pales in comparison to the player in the next sentence but bear with me. With Lane Hutson breathing new life into the Montreal Canadiens, and his brother Cole Hutson (WSH) performing so well at the WJC, perhaps this is the year we see NHL teams take more swings on really undersized defencemen? And if so, why not Öhrqvist? (Felix Robbins)

Wilson Björck – Wing/Center - Djurgården (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Björck is another player who totally flew under the radar during his draft year. He didn’t look totally at ease at the J20 level until just before the international break, and even then, he wasn’t much of a needle mover. To say he’s taken a step in the right direction would be an understatement. The 19-year-old has absolutely exploded offensively and is tied with brother Viggo (who, coincidentally, plays on the same line as him) for the J20 league lead in points. He also had an 18-game point streak that spanned across all J20 games from October 4th to December 15th, scoring 42 (!!) points during that time. A part of that is Djurgården being an absolute wagon this season. However, most of that credit goes squarely to Björck for the work he has, and continues to, put in to improving his game. Most notably, his shot has become a lethal weapon for him. He’s a clinical finisher who can find soft ice in the slot with ease. His small area skill and decision making with the puck has gotten quicker, allowing him to safely escape pressure along the wall in the offensive zone and make a good passing play. He’s always been competitive, but he’s added some tenacity to his off puck play. Björck’s come a long way, but there are still things to work on. Gaining muscle should be at the top of the list. A touch more quickness to his skating should be 2nd. Lastly, his processing speed is quite good when problem solving in tight or setting up tic-tac passing plays, but his ability to read and anticipate play leaves a lot to be desired. Recognizing changes in possession, knowing where to be and how to get there quickly are elements of a players hockey sense that take them from being a good player to a great one. Björck is young enough that enough reps and coaching may teach him, but it could be something that holds him back from hitting his ceiling. With that said, Björck has looked much more engaged and conscious of his off-puck positioning during his limited minutes in the HockeyAllsvenskan. It looks like the right place for him to develop at his current level – especially since it seems that the J20 has become too trivial for him. There is a lot to love with Björck’s versatility and offensive upside. If all goes according to plan, he projects to be a 3rd line winger who can be a triggerman on a team’s 2nd powerplay unit. (Felix Robbins)

Alex Nyman – Goaltender - Rögle BK J20

It isn’t uncommon for European goaltenders to go undrafted their first go around, especially when you’re as young as Nyman was for the draft class. Despite being and over-ager, Nyman is still young. He won’t turn 19 until the 2025 draft is over due to his august birthday. Not to mention, he didn’t even crack 20 starts at the J20 level last year. This year, Nyman has been getting the lion’s share of starts and typically faces 30+ shots per game. Despite the heavy workload and a GAA of over 3.05, he’s put up a .901 SV% across 23 games so far. Standing at 6-foot-5 tall, Nyman can fill the net pretty well. He is athletic and moves fairly well for his size but could use a touch more lateral quickness. Nyman doesn’t let any daylight through his stick side, both low and high, but is pretty leaky on his glove side. He gives up a ton of goals just above the pad and under the glove, especially when moving that way laterally. There are certainly kinks in his technique that need ironing out. While there is work to be done, at the end of the day, you really can’t teach size. Old and tired of a statement as it may be, it is especially true for goalies. It is easy to talk yourself into spending a late round draft pick on a 6-foot-5 goalie project because of the immense upside if it works out. Nyman is a fine gamble to take in the later rounds of the draft. Stash him away in Sweden and see what you’ve got in a few years. (Felix Robbins)

Gian Meier – Defense - Frölunda J20

Meier made a late push for consideration at the 2024 NHL Draft with a fantastic U18 WJC but ultimately went overlooked in his first year of eligibility. In an effort to take his development into his own hands, Meier left his hometown of Zurich to join the Frölunda HC program in Sweden. While his impact at the pro level has been extremely minimal, Meier has been a standout performer in the J20 in every facet of the game. The toolsy right-hander has stayed true to his game. He displays confidence and poise on puck retrievals, never deferring responsibility to his partner. He makes terrific defensive reads, using his reach and footwork to take away the middle and angling opponents to the outside. Meier makes a great first pass but has the vision and passing ability to look up ice for the long bomb outlet. His straight-line and backwards skating is impressive, though he could surely use some refinement to his lateral agility. There is upside as a puck rusher with Meier, if he can extend the same confidence he has in his defensive game to his puck-carrying game. His offensive contribution is mostly flinging shots from the point, but he has the ability to get them on net through traffic. There were questions about his strength and his coordination last year. Meier seems to not only have put on some weight and grown an inch over the summer, but he looks to be in total command of his body – no more awkwardness. If Rasmus Bergqvist (MTL 2024) is any sort of barometer for overaged defencemen in the J20, Meier has already proven he’s worth a swing in the later rounds of the draft. If he can fill out his body a bit more and put some work into his skating, Meier could become a very solid bottom 4 defensive puck-mover in the NHL one day. (Felix Robbins)

Finland

Benjamin Rautiainen - Wing - Tappara (Liiga)

Benjamin Rautiainen went undrafted in his first two eligible drafts (2023 and 2024). He attended Toronto Maple Leafs’ development camp in summer 2023 as an invited player. He went back to his U20 club in Finland to have a really strong year with a production of 62 points in 36 games. This year will likely be the year that Rautiainen will be drafted in the NHL. He is now playing against men in the Liiga and he is able to put his fair share of points on the board (27 pts in 42 games at the time this was written). He is a strong skater who drives the net as soon as he has the chance. He excels in offensive zone pressure and creates chances for his teammates. He is intelligent with the puck and can play at high pace. Plays with intensity and he is engaged in all three zones. He played for Finland at this year’s World Juniors, and he made his line the most effective of his team. Even though he finished the tournament with only four points in seven games, he highly contributed to Finland's success, including a game-winning goal in overtime in the semifinal against Sweden. I would say he was the most visible and the most dangerous player for Finland during the tournament. In the mid-season NHL Central Scouting ranking, he was ranked as the 41st best European skater and I could see him be picked between the 4th and 6th round. The team that will draft him can hope that Rautiainen could become a middle six versatile forward that can play in different roles up and down the lineup when needed. (Jérémy Rivet)

Niklas Nykyri - Defense - HIFK (Liiga)

Nykyri is entering his second year of draft eligibility. He spent the whole season last year in the U20 in Finland in addition to a good amount of experience at the international level in the U18. This year, he started in the Liiga before getting sent down for one game where he played 21 minutes. After being sent down to U20, he was recalled in the Liiga and his ice time gradually went up and he has stayed at the pro level so far this season. He is a 6-foot-2 left-handed defenseman that has good mobility. He likes to support the attack and to make plays offensively, but it can lead to risky plays. Nykyri has some poise with the puck when under pressure to escape it and start the rush with a good first pass. Defensively, he has a good stick, and he is quite good with his gap control. Not a punishing type of defenseman but he is not afraid to use his body to kill plays and win pucks along the board. He is ranked as the 45th best European skater in the mid-season NHL Central Scouting ranking and I would think that he possesses the qualities to be an effective two-way defenseman in the bottom pairs and more likely as a 5 or 6th defenseman at best with some offensive upside. (Jérémy Rivet)

Daniel Nieminen - Defense - Pelicans (Liiga)

Daniel Nieminen played in the U20 in Finland last season and played 21 games in different international competitions with Finland U18. He was able to produce offensively (29 pts in 37 games), impressive for a defenseman that is not really known for his offensive game. His small size, under 6-foot at the time, was probably the main reason why he went undrafted last draft in his first eligibility year. This year, his game reached a new level. He has now reached what I would call an ‘’average size’’ at 6-foot and he played the whole season so far in the Liiga against men. The best way to describe Nieminen’s game is that he is a two-way left-handed defenseman that has very good mobility and agility in all directions and that competes at a high level on a consistent basis. Despite his smaller size, he can play a physical and aggressive game which makes him hard to beat in one-on-one battles. He also plays with intensity and grit in his own zone and in front of his net to box out players. His mobility and quick change of direction serves him well when he needs to escape pressure behind his net to start the transition. Offensively, he can support the rush and activate from the blue line to keep attacks alive. One aspect that he will need to work on is his decision-making with the puck. Also, he played at the World Juniors in Ottawa for Finland, and he was seeing top four minutes and was used in multiple situations. He played on the penalty kill and sometimes on the powerplay. Nieminen was a trusted defenseman by his coach during the tournament and his game was improving as the tournament went on. He is ranked #62 for European skaters in the mid-season NHL Scouting Central ranking and I could see him being drafted in the later rounds with a depth defenseman potential. (Jérémy Rivet)

Petteri Rimpinen - Goaltender - Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga)

Petteri Rimpinen went undrafted last year, despite a solid second half of the season at pro level in Mestis league, probably because of his size which is borderline small these days for the NHL at 6-foot. He responded this season by putting excellent numbers in the Liiga with a .910 save percentage average (at the time this was written) as the clear number one goalie of his team at only 18 years old. In addition to that, Rimpinen was named best goalie of this year’s World Juniors and he was the big reason Finland went to the final. He played all games for Finland and some people were even talking about him as the possible MVP of the tournament. Rimpinen is excellent with rebound control and puck tracking through traffic. He is the type of goalie that fights for every puck in his crease. He made several crucial saves, including breakaways and key overtime stops, to maintain the lead and allow Finland to win in the semi-final and repeated the same performance during the overtime of the Gold Medal game. His game management was good and gave confidence to his team. His performance at the World Juniors allowed him to be ranked the 4th European goaltender in the NHL Central Scouting’s ranking. His small size can be a disadvantage for him but he counters that argument with good athleticism and a high compete level. (Jérémy Rivet)

Mitja Jokinen - Defense - TPS (Liiga)

Mitja Jokinen is another average-size left-handed two-way defenseman that went undrafted in his first year last season and that made a great impression at the World Juniors this year. For me, Jokinen is a similar type of defenseman as Daniel Nieminen, however less physical but just as competitive and intense. He spent the majority of his last two seasons in the U20 with the TPS program before playing full time in the Liiga this year. He is a player that the Finnish national team had on their roster in every level since the U16 and did pretty well. In today’s NHL, small defensemen that are not incredible offensively or not very physical have a hard time establishing themselves in the league, but every NHL team needs reliable defensemen that can move the puck and that can be trusted when they are on the ice and that is what Jokinen has shown so far. The 5-foot-11 defenseman was a big part of Finland's success at the last World Juniors in Ottawa with him having an average ice-time of about 18 minutes as well as playing more than 20 minutes in the gold medal game against the United States. Jokinen can be described as a smart and shifty puck-moving defenceman who thinks the game at a high level. Jokinen is shifty on his edges, avoids pressure with fakes and cutbacks and also throws a fair bit of deception behind his breakout passes. On retrievals, he’s both poised and fast-paced depending on what the situation calls for. He can be used on the penalty kill and against the best players on the other side. Like I said, he is not the type of guy that will throw big hits and punish the opponents, but he is not afraid to use his body and engage in puck battles in the corner. If I had to make a projection for him right now, I would say that he could be a depth defenseman that can come in and out of the lineup and depending on how his offensive game will develop at the pro level, he could be in a top 6 on a consistent basis. (Jérémy Rivet)

Roope Vesterinen - Wing - HPK (Liiga)

After a disappointing season last year production-wise with 11 points in 27 in the U20 in Finland, Roope Vesterinen started this season strong in the U20 with nine points in the first seven games of the season. This hot start allowed him to be called up in the Liiga and he hasn’t looked back since then. Vesterinen just turned 19 years old in January and he is averaging above 0.50 point per game so far in Finland’s top pro league. His average ice-time really went up since November with him playing around 15 minutes on average which is very good for a rookie. Also, he is contributing in various roles during games as he sees ice both on the powerplay and on the penalty kill. The best way to describe his game is that Vesterinen is a speedy winger who uses his quickness to create chances for himself and his teammates. At 5-foot-10, he is obviously not the biggest, but he is not afraid to jump in the traffic as one of his strengths is his play around the net and how good he is at taking rebounds and scoring close to the blue paint. Almost all of his goals this season were scored from the slot. Vesterinen played for Finland at the World Juniors in Ottawa but was only in the lineup for the two first games and had limited ice time. Despite that, he was able to showcase his versatility, his engagement defensively and how he is able to play a more responsible and defensive/checking role. Roope Vesterinen could be a candidate to be drafted in the last rounds of the draft and the question will be if he can improve his puck handling and the pace at which he makes plays to allow him to pass to the next level. I would not be surprised if he goes undrafted again but receives an invitation to an NHL development camp during the summer. (Jérémy Rivet)

Topias Hynninen - Center - Jukurit (Liiga)

Topias Hynninen has just turned 19 years old, and he has seen action in the Liiga for the third straight season this year. His offensive production was disappointing last season, but he has really found another gear this season with 31 points in 46 games so far playing for the team that is at the bottom of the standings. He is the third point producer of Jukurit and he has played close to 20 minutes every night since November. At the World Juniors, he was a healthy scratch for the first game against Canada but was inserted on the first line with Helenius and Rautiainen and their line was probably the most dangerous consistently during the tournament for Finland. Hynninen is primarily an excellent playmaker and, despite his smaller size at 5-foot-10, he plays with a lot of energy. He possesses excellent vision and great skating ability. With his energy and tenacity, he is effective on the forecheck and causes many turnovers because of that. Hynninen is dangerous on the power play, and he can beat defense with a saucer pass, backhand saucer feeds and long-range slip passes. He is also engaged defensively and made smart plays to help his team in transition. He can advance the play with one-touch feeds in transition and prefers to play a give-and-go style most of the time. He’s got a really advanced sense of positioning away from the puck and is always involved in the play. Topias Hynninen has decent offensive upside that makes him an interesting option at the draft. He also has the hockey IQ to be able to adapt in a more utility role on a bottom 6 which makes his versatility even more attractive for a team that is looking for that kind of player later in the draft. (Jérémy Rivet)

Arttu Alasiurua - Center - Kärpä (Liiga)

Arttu Alasiurua has entered his third year of eligibility for the NHL draft. He will turn 20 years old early in February and time is starting to run out for him to make a good impression. He had a strong year last season in the U20 with 62 points in 41 games and he played some games in the pro level in the Liiga and in the Mestis. This season, he is playing full-time in the Liiga but he is still trying to find his offensive game. Despite his difficulty to produce, he shows great ability to adapt to a more defensive role. That is an aspect of his game that I really like from him at the World Juniors this year. He was an important element for Finland for defensive missions and a great penalty killer. He scored a goal on the PK in the preliminary round against the United States and ended the tournament with 4 points (3 goals and 1 assist) in 7 games. Alasiurua has impressive speed and puck handling, and he uses these two abilities to create scoring chances. Arttu Alasiurua also possesses high-end playmaking skills; he can create high-quality looks for his linemates often from out of nowhere. He is particularly effective at turning loose puck retrievals and forechecking steals into offence. The 6-foot center could be a good candidate for a team that is looking for a versatile role player with great skating and playmaking skills in the later rounds. (Jérémy Rivet)

Tuomas Suoniemi - Center - Kiekko-Espoo (SM-Sarja U20)

After scoring 120 points in 38 games in the U16 in the 2021-2022 season, Suoniemi’s production slowed down as he moved up the levels of Finnish hockey. This combined with his small stature was probably two factors that scared the scouts in his draft year last season. Suoniemi played most of his games last year in the U20, but also spent some time in the U18 and in Mestis. He also played 13 international games with Finland U18 where he ended up with 11 points in 13 games. This year is his third season in the U20 where he is averaging more than a point per game. The 5-foot-10 center played 6 international games with Finland before the World Juniors but he was not able to make his way to the roster that played in Ottawa. There is no denying Suoniemi’s soft skill. When he has time and space to operate, the passing and vision shine as he uses subtle fakes to open up space on the inside. He also possesses quick hands that he can use to win pucks, beat opponents one-on-one or set up teammates with precise passes. He is the kind of player that is offensive-minded and that likes to control the puck in the offensive zone. When he is on the powerplay, he is the one who controls most of the play and he is a constant threat as he can beat the opposition with a pass or with a shot. However, on the defensive side, he will need to be careful to not cheat in the defensive zone and be more responsible even if the defensive game will not be his role. His compete level will have to be more consistent as well, because sometimes he can showcase tenacity on the forecheck and in puck battles but sometimes he is easy to play against. (Jérémy Rivet)

Russia

Roman Luttsev - Center - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Roman Luttsev had a solid season in the MHL last year putting up 27 points in 36 games but was largely overshadowed on a stacked Loko team. This year many of those stars have moved up to the pros, leaving an open spot for a new leader and Roman has stepped up to become Loko’s new game breaker. At the time of this article he is second in MHL in points with 57 in 45 games played. He has looked like an offensive dynamo in juniors and during his 3 games in the KHL he has shown that he can play a bottom 6 grinding role as well.

Luttsev is a skilled and speedy forward with great problem solving abilities. He performs very well under pressure, faking out opponents and working his way to space with ease when challenged with the puck. He makes great decisions, quickly finding the best possible option and moving the puck on time before the opportunity is lost. He has a heavy wrist shot which he is able to get off his stick quickly using a deceptive release that fools goalies with how quickly he can elevate the puck.

In the MHL, defensive effort and physicality were question marks at times. I felt that he did not give his best effort and mostly floated around the zone rather than engage in battles. In his most recent KHL game, many of these doubts were put to rest for me. He received 11 minutes of ice time and was very involved on the defensive side of the puck. He was constantly first to 50/50 battles and positioned himself well to make an impact in his own end.

Luttsev has developed into a highly skilled, smart, hardworking, lightning-fast player who has shown the ability to contribute on both sides of the puck. He is still a work in progress but he will soon be a consistent KHLer worth a selection in a late round of this draft.

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Kucherov-esque one touch pass sets up the easiest goal imaginable for his teammate.

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Not the prettiest goal but look at the wheels as he flies into the zone and cuts hard to the net.

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On his stick, off his stick. (Henry Lawrence)

Magomed Sharakanov - Defense - Lada Togliatti (KHL)

Sharakanov is an interesting case. I was a big fan of him in his first year eligible, but after he was passed up on in the draft he kind of fell into the background playing well in the VHL but not good enough to be worth a pick in his 19-year-old season either. Now, in his final year of eligibility, Magomed has exploded in the KHL as one of the top young defenders after being loaned to Lada for the season. He has scored highlight reel goals, set up high danger chances, and played lock up defense. He finally seems to have developed into the player we saw glimpses of a few seasons ago.

Magomed is a big, strong, two-way defenseman with smooth footwork, good puck handling, and an impressive ability to win battles. He moves very well, flying up and down the ice and pulling off some agile dance moves around defenders when the puck is on his stick. He is incredibly smooth and able to walk the line with ease, around opponents and into space. He is very creative with the puck, pulling off skilled dangles around opponents and deep into the offensive zone to set up chances.

He can pull his weight offensively, but the defensive end is where I have been most impressed with Magomed’s game. He is always in great position to help shut down chances and is fantastic at stripping pucks in battles. He takes fantastic angles to challenge opponents, using his body to separate them from the puck and quickly move pucks up ice. He gaps up well in transition and has great timing with his step ups. He has a big, sturdy frame which he uses well to shut down plays along the boards with big hits, quickly getting a stick on the puck to win back possession for his team.

Magomed has shown exceptional play on both sides of the puck and should be heavily considered as a pick in the 2025 draft.

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Great step up in transition. Gets the initial poke off and then follows up with a second attack of pokes and shoves his man to the ice for good measure.

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I like this effort. Magomed pinches aggressively and battles for possession. He continues to fight despite falling to the ice and makes stays composed from his knees to complete the pass to his teammate which sets up a dangerous look.

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Fake shot drops the defender, then a quick cut around and a bullet into the back of the net. (Henry Lawrence)

Timofei Zhulin - Wing - Bars Kazan (VHL)

Zhulin was one of my favorite players from last season and I was honestly very surprised that no teams took a swing at him in a later round. The lack of consistent production last year was definitely a major factor in this but every time I watched one of his games, I saw high energy play on both sides of the puck, a high paced style of play, the skill and the brains to escape difficult situations, and countless chances set up with his passing (often left unfinished by his teammates even with an open net)

This season Zhulin has spent most of his time in the VHL and has even been given some opportunities at the KHL level. In the first half of this season, he was on fire. He was racking up points night after night and bringing the same level of intensity and desire to win possession from his opponent through hard work and physical battles along the boards.

He is talented offensively, able to pull off moves around opponents and finish his chances in tight to the net. I think he would be more of a bottom 6 forward in the NHL but has the talent to put pucks in the back of the net and create through his passing. His speed has allowed him to create countless breakaway and odd man rush opportunities in transition. He is active in the defensive zone, positioning himself to take away lanes and explodes after loose pucks to secure possession for his team.

The biggest concern that still lingers for me is consistency. In the second half of this season, his production has slowed a bit and his motor is not at the same level in each game, but I still see the same upside as before. He is an incredibly hard-working player who pushes pace when the puck is on his stick and forces opponents onto their heels when he gets moving up ice. His development has progressed very well and he looks like he will be a consistent KHLer next season. I see Zhulin as a potential bottom six game changer well worth a swing in the late rounds of the 2025 draft.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-Timofei-Zhulin-bars_kazan_3_2_hc_kristall_saratov_-_09.08_-_2nd_period_8_43_-_8_53.mp4

Wheels on the breakaway and nice finish inside.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2-timofei_zhulin_-_1st_period_3_26_-_3_38.mp4

Insanely skilled toe drag reception around man and slips the puck back door to set up his teammate for a tap in.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/3-timofei_zhulin_-_3rd_period_24_16_-_24_38.mp4

Skilled drag move and takes off around boards, attempts to move puck to teammate in slot, maneuvers around 2 opponents behind the net and is able to get the puck to his teammate despite tight pressure. (Henry Lawrence)

Czechia

Tomáš Galvas - Defence - Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

Galvas was one of the most surprising omissions in the last draft. He entered the season as a safe mid-round pick, even attended the NHL Scouting Combine, yet still went undrafted. Now he has a second chance to earn a shot with an NHL team. The main concerns with Galvas are the lack of size and the overall translatability of his game to an NHL level. He's an elite skater, smooth, quick and agile, likes carrying the puck, joining the rush and creating chances. His vision and hockey sense are great and he is not a defensive liability, but as a 5-foot-10 defenceman, his path to the NHL is quite difficult. Galvas needs to put on a lot of muscle to be able to withstand physical battles with stronger and meaner forwards. He's a dynamic offensive creator, but the lack of physicality and a weaker frame definitely won't help him. However, Galvas does have a lot of potential and it's worth spending a late round pick on him. He's able to hold his own in one of the best professional leagues in Europe, had a strong World Juniors, the upside makes him an intriguing pick even with the obstacles. (Matej Deraj)

Jaromír Pérez - Left Wing - Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

Pérez made a huge leap forward this year and has played some great hockey with Liberec recently. He's a double overager, but it seems like he has elevated his game to another level. He put on some muscle, plays a stronger game despite his average size (6-foot-0, 179 pounds) and possesses some decent offensive instincts. He's skilled and smart, able to create chances and carry the puck. He's scored some impressive solo goals in his career. Pérez is an interesting player, he doesn't have a super high ceiling but may be worth a flyer - he's been playing on a first line in Czech top tier league with decent production and made some significant steps compared to the previous years. He has an interesting background - his father is Spanish, Jaromír was born in Barcelona and actually started his hockey career there. (Matej Deraj)

Austria

Adrian Gesson - Center/Wing - Red Bull Juniors (AlpsHL)

A September 13th birthday, Gesson was one of the youngest players available for last year’s draft and there was little reason to know who he was after a strong, but unspectacular Austrian U20 season and 16 pointless games with the AlpsHL Red Bull Junior affiliate as a 17-year-old. As such, in what has essentially been his first full season as a draft-eligible, his captaincy of the Red Bull Junior team combined with 13 usually fabulous goals in 40 games should be drawing the attention of the scouting community considering Gesson’s mature game and regular ability to be at the right place at the right time, showing an X factor around goal and in the slot. His play has been impressive enough to see him get a call-up to powerhouse Salzburg of the ICEHL. Should be the type of import player CHL or USHL clubs are looking at for next season. (Chapin Landvogt)

Germany

Elias Pul - Center/Wing - Blue Devils Weiden (DEL2)

Pul started off the year as the hottest U19 player in Germany’s pro ranks. His eight goals and 11 points in his first 26 DEL2 contests for a league newbie had him atop the chart for U21 players in the country. However, he has slowed down considerably since. We had him pegged as Germany’s top prospect for the 2024 draft, but a season full of learning and facing adversity plagued his draft year. Now he’s bringing skill, anticipation, and a jumpy joie de vivre to the table, becoming a hot topic for DEL teams. Admittedly, we expected more from his WJC than we got, often being the team’s 13th forward, but the coaching staff didn’t hesitate to make use of him throughout the line-up, as a jack of all trades up front. Clearly though, he’s going to need to have a huge second half to his season in order garner continued draft interest, turning 19 in mid-May. (Chapin Landvogt)

Nick Maul - Wing - Kaufbeuren Jokers (DEL2)

We noticed Maul a few summers back at a U17 summer challenge in Czechia. Although small, he was sturdy and incredibly smart with the puck, showing the keen ability to out wait opponents in some cases, or dart right past them in others. He then had a very quiet draft year, never becoming a topic of interest while being solid at the Austrian U20 level and for the U18 team that gained promotion at the D1A level. Now he’s playing serious pro hockey and raising some eyebrows. Kicking things off with the Red Bull Juniors (4 assists in 7 games), he was quickly called up into the DEL line-up for Munich and now plays with the organization’s DEL2 squad Kaufbeuren, collecting eight points in 19 games. His inclusion on the U20 team was pleasant, if not downright surprising, seeing him assume a regular shift on the 3rd and then 2nd lines, being a key in the relegation game with an assist and whilst then screening the Kazakh goalie on the game winner. There’s a Michael Amadio style player here for the later rounds - thick, compact build to boot. (Chapin Landvogt)

Edwin Tropmann - Defense - Bad Nauheim (DEL2)

Tropmann is an average-sized righty shot defenseman who we’ve had on the map since he was 16 and found himself in the Ovechkin spot of his team’s first power play unit at the U18 Worlds. He then had a very quiet draft year and followed that up with a nice DY+1 season that lacked international showings. This has changed this winter as he captained Team Germany at the WJC and put up 4 points in the tournament while being on the ice for all the major assignments. He’s also spent this season taking a regular shift in the DEL2 and has seen seven games of stat-free action in the DEL. Word is that a few USHL teams are doing their darndest to get him overseas by February, meaning he could strut his stuff at the proper level just in time for draft consideration. (Chapin Landvogt)

Switzerland

Alain Graf - Center - SC Bern (NL)

Graf’s rise this season has been a plus for the Swiss scene. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound righty shot forward put up 7 points in two U20 league games before getting called up to the NL for a long stretch. A good block of 15 or so games saw him get in some solid 4th line minutes and since then, he’s been trekking it between the NL (3 points in 32 games) and SL, where he’s been logging 14+ minutes a night and has six points in nine games. More importantly, Graf has shown a combination of some acute offensive acumen and the embracement of the defensive side of his position. He also kicked off the WJC as the Swiss’ number one center and even if his one assist and -4 rating were underwhelming, he was there to face the other nation’s top lines, in a 3rd line capacity once the playoffs rolled around. He’ll need to conclude the season on a strong note, but he’s been a notable U20 player in a top European league. (Chapin Landvogt)

Rafael Meier - Wing - EHC Kloten (NL)

We’ve made a point of discussing Meier this season as the 6-foot 19-year-old has forced his way into the conversation after slipping through the grid a bit the past two seasons, where injuries were involved. All season long, he’s been one of the NL’s top U21 players having gone 5-9-13 and +8 in 44 games for Kloten. That has him tied for thirrd overall among U21 scorers in the league although he’s played at least 5 fewer games than the scorers above him due to his WJC participation, which was admittedly very quiet with zero points and a -3 rating, going from a 2nd to a 3rd line role in the course of the event. In pro play, we’ve seen a lot of jump and smarts in Meier’s game, often ready to play it rough ‘n tumble when necessary. Generally strong down low on the power play, he has shown a deceptive wrist shot throughout the season. We - and his team - expect a strong finish to the season if he intends on being a draft candidate. (Chapin Landvogt)

Ludvig Johnson - Defense - EV Zug (NL)

The Swiss U20 league’s top offensive defenseman to begin the season, the half-Swedish Johnson has gone from junior blueline all-rounder to being a man on the rise for EV Zug. Called up in late October, he’s now gotten into 30 NL games, going 4-6-10 with a +5 along the way. Perhaps more telling has been how he’s regularly gotten 10+ minutes of ice time, even topping 18 minutes of play several times this season. At the WJC, he advanced to Switzerland’s top pairing, going from just under 14 minutes of ice time in Game 1 to 22:22 in the quarterfinal against the USA. Just 6-foot and 180 pounds, Johnson is sneaky good with the stick, has an ever-improving shot, and has the skating to be a plus factor, even against senior level players. Also important is that Johnson is still just 18 and will be until after next summer’s draft, although this is his DY+1. We’re convinced that he’s a hot overage topic for NHL teams. (Chapin Landvogt)

Eric Schneller - Defense - Geneva (NL)

Another mid-sized defenseman armed with a righty-shot, 19-year-old Schneller brings a decent amount of mobility to the table and spent this past season seeing his role grow incrementally throughout the year, depending on what personnel was available. Telling was a stretch of five games at the end of January when he saw anywhere from 15:03 to 21:33 minutes of play, albeit while his team dropped five straight contests. With the playoffs out of the picture despite winning seven of the final nine contests, Schneller ultimately saw a rough average of 10 minutes of TOI when all was said and done. Ultimately, after three full seasons in Rögle’s junior program and a fairly strong showing at the 2023 U18 Worlds, Schneller has taken the next step in his development with 5 points and a -6 rating (middle of the road on his non-playoff team). He promptly joined Geneva's U20 squad for the playoffs, putting up four points in five games in a disappointing first round ouster. His thee points in five WJC contests was good for fiftth on the team as he saw between 13-19 minutes of TOI as a clear top 4 defenseman. Half Swedish, Schneller is expected to take on a bigger role next season while bringing yeoman work in all three zones. (Chapin Landvogt)

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Czechia

Matej Deraj — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:00:28 +0000

Czechia has enjoyed a successful couple of years in the World Juniors, claiming a silver medal two years ago and then following it up with a bronze in 2024. While they are not among the favorites to win gold this time, their recent performances make them a team to take seriously. Reaching the semifinals for the fourth consecutive year is certainly within reach for this squad. However, they lack a true star player who could carry them to a medal.

At the previous World Juniors, the backbone of the Czech team was Sabres forward Jiří Kulich, who captained the team. Kulich won the scoring title at the tournament with 12 points and was named to the All-Star Team in both 2023 and 2024. While Czechia no longer has a player of Kulich's caliber, there are several candidates who could make a significant impact on their results
Last year’s No. 1 goaltender, Michael Hrabal, is expected to reprise his role as the starter. Although Hrabal struggled as an underager at the last tournament, he delivered his only standout performance against Canada (3-2 win) in the quarterfinals, helping his team reach the semifinals.

The defense will be anchored by Adam Jiříček (#16 in the 2024 NHL Draft), who recently returned from an injury, and Kings second-round pick Jakub Dvořák, who missed last year’s tournament. However, Czechia will miss Dominik Badinka (#34 in the 2024 draft), a Hurricanes prospect who declined invitations to previous U20 tournaments. Another surprising omission on the back end is Radim Mrtka, a projected first-rounder in the upcoming draft.

Czechia's top player is probably forward Eduard Šalé, who is having a solid season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL. The Kraken prospect was initially expected to miss the tournament but will return for his final World Juniors. Šalé is set to lead the offense alongside other contributors such as Miroslav Holinka, Adam Jecho or Jakub Štancl.

Czechia boasts 14 drafted players, including two first-rounders (Jiříček and Šalé) and two potential high picks in Adam Novotný and Vojtěch Čihař. This is one of the stronger Czech teams in recent years, but their offensive depth is weaker than in the past two tournaments. If Šalé is at the top of his game, he could be one of the best forwards at the World Juniors. Their main rivals in the group stage will be Slovakia, and a victory against them would almost guarantee a top-two finish in the group, a favorable position for medal contention. However, Czechia has shown they can compete regardless of their group placement and should never be underestimated.

Key Players

Eduard Šalé, RW

Šalé has two World Juniors medals under his belt and has scored at a point-per-game pace in both tournaments. A skilled winger, he struggled at the junior level last season (38 points in 49 OHL games) but has played well in professional hockey, with over 50 games in the Czech league. Now thriving in the AHL with Coachella Valley, Šalé is expected to lead the Czech squad and will be crucial to their success as he aims to complete his medal hat trick.

Michael Hrabal, G

Hrabal, the team’s clear starting goaltender, was drafted 38th overall in 2023, making him the second-highest goalie pick of his draft class. At 6’6”, Hrabal combines size with excellent athleticism and quickness. Even though his performance last year was subpar, his clutch performance against Canada in the quarterfinals proved his potential. He currently plays for UMass in the NCAA, where he has posted solid numbers as a 19-year-old.

Adam Jiříček, D

The younger brother of the Wild´s newest prospect, David Jiříček, walks in his brother's footsteps. He played on the same team in his draft year, was a first-round pick, and missed half a season due to an injury sustained at the World Juniors. Now healthy, Adam Jiříček should be the key defenceman for Czechia at the World Juniors. He's a plus skater, plays a two-way game, and loves to join the rush. He defends well, uses his frame and helps his team in every situation.

Jakub Dvořák, D

Dvořák, a 6’4” defenseman drafted in the second round by the Kings in 2023, missed last year’s tournament but returns as a key player on the blue line. Mobile for his size and strong defensively, Dvořák also adds a touch of offense to his game. He plays for the Ontario Reign in the AHL and is expected to log heavy minutes in all situations.

Jakub Štancl, LW

Štancl is a two-way winger who drives to the net and fights for every puck. He’s also a solid skater with a decent shot. Štancl is one of three Blues prospects on the team (Jiříček, Ondřej Kos). He spent three years in Sweden and even got a shot at the highest level in the country, the Swedish Hockey League. He has been with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL this year, averaging more than a point per game. Štancl is a good complementary winger and should help his team to create more scoring chances.

Tomáš Galvas, D

Galvas was one of my favourite players from my region coming to the 2024 NHL Draft, but he was passed on by every team and went undrafted. Mainly due to his size, since 5´10” defencemen are rare in the NHL and he's only 154 pounds. His biggest asset is his skating – he's a smooth skater, agile and very quick. He likes to join the rush, carry the puck and create plays. He played well at the last World Juniors and should be an important member of the Czech defence, getting a likely power-play role.

Adam Jecho, RW/C

Jecho boasts a 6-foot-5 frame but has the offensive skill of much smaller players. He's someone who reminded me of Flames´ prospect Samuel Honzek in his draft year. Jecho has smooth hands, fluid skating, creates opportunities and works well around the net. He was an important member of the Czech squad that won silver at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He and Miroslav Holinka are teammates at Edmonton Oil Kings, they should bring their chemistry to the national team as well.

Miroslav Holinka, C/W

Holinka left a great impression at the Maple Leafs development camp before the season, rising in the team´s prospect system, as he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft. He is a two-way, versatile forward, able to play all three positions. He may lack a standout trait but he's definitely useful in all situations and should be an important member of the Czech team. He's playing with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL, averaging almost a point per game.

Jiří Felcman, C

The Blackhawks prospect has spent most of his career in Switzerland. He plays with the SCL Tigers in the country´s top-tier league (NL), which is one of the best in Europe, a remarkable achievement for a foreign-born 19-year-old. Felcman is a true power forward, he's 6´4” and 200 pounds, plays with an edge, and works well as a net presence. He's going to play at his first World Juniors.

Petr Sikora, RW/C

Sikora has been up and down the lineup of the Czech reigning champions Oceláři Třinec, but he tried to use the best of every opportunity. He´s a feisty two-way forward, he´s dangerous on the forecheck and works well in front of the net despite his average 6-foot frame. Sikora is useful on special teams and should help his team no matter the line he´s on. He´s a Capitals pick (#178) from the sixth round of the last draft.

Sleeper Player

Vojtěch Čihař, RW/C

Čihař is having a great draft year with Karlovy Vary in the Czech league, cementing his status as the top prospect in the league after Radim Mrtka´s departure. He's been playing on the first line and using his opportunity very well. He is a versatile two-way forward with strong skating and a decent size with an offensive touch to his game. Čihař is a candidate for the first two rounds of the upcoming draft and if he puts up a solid performance at the WJC, his stock should go up.

2024 NHL DRAFT WRAP UP: The best value picks plus the biggest surprise in each round

Brock Otten — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 18:58:05 +0000

What a draft week it was! The Sphere in Vegas lived up to the hype, and then some. Perhaps, this is biased, but it was one of the most impressive spectacles that I have ever been part of. Derek Neumeier (our assistant director of scouting) and myself were blown away by the production. The feedback from fans was similar in nature; no question the live draft in Vegas was a massive success for the NHL.

But what about the actual draft action itself? Like any draft, there were things that went according to script and there were surprises.

From our Top 100 on our final draft rankings, 97 of said players were drafted. The only ones not selected were Alex Zetterberg, Daniil Ustinkov, and Tomas Galvas. Galvas was the highest of those three at 70th overall.

Let’s take a look at some of my favourite selections, some of the biggest surprises, and some of the best undrafted players.

ROUND ONE

Favourite Selection: Sam Dickinson (#11) to San Jose

Dickinson had been our favorite defender in this class nearly all season long and we really like the value San Jose got at #11 after trading up from #14 a few days prior. Dickinson is such a safe bet to a top four defender for the organization; the kind of player who can eat serious minutes for them when they’re ready to take that next step again as a playoff contender.

Favourite Selection: Stian Solberg (#23) to Anaheim

This represents one of the best fits in the draft for us. Solberg improved so much in the second half, and we saw that at the World Championships, where he was a standout playing tough minutes against NHL players with Norway. His game still needs further refinement, but he projects as the perfect partner for the likes of Olen Zellweger or Pavel Mintyukov (even though all three are left-handed shots) with his physical intense defensive presence. It’s obvious Anaheim really liked him as they traded up into this slot with Toronto.

Biggest Surprise: Terik Parascak (#17) to Washington

This one caught a lot of people by surprise on the draft floor. There was probably more talk that Parascak could be a “faller” due to concerns over pace/quickness, in combination with his average size. Even Parascak was incredibly surprised to be taken this early, with a look of bewilderment following the announcement of his name. Our Western scouts are still a bit leery of his NHL odds, but there’s no denying that he was one of the draft’s most intelligent players. Washington is banking on that, hoping that he can have a Joe Pavelski type career.

Biggest Surprise (bonus): Beckett Sennecke (#3) to Anaheim

This one wasn’t as big of a surprise to those on the floor because there was a ton of chatter about this about an hour prior to the draft. However, it’s obvious Sennecke had no idea because he was visibly shocked to hear his name, creating one of the most genuine and honest draft reactions of the weekend. Anaheim is banking on Sennecke’s athletic upside and second half improvements, which is often an intelligent thing to do.

ROUND TWO

Favourite Selection: Teddy Stiga (#55) to Nashville

Look at all the teams clamoring to sign Jake Guentzel this offseason, because of how good of a complementary offensive player he is. Stiga proved that same thing this year, playing alongside potential 2025 first overall pick James Hagens. He’s a hard worker. He’s skilled. His skating improved over the year. There’s a ton to like and we really like the fit in Nashville for him. These are the types of players Nashville had an abundance of when they were dominating the West.

Favourite Selection: Carter George (#57) to Los Angeles

Admittedly, I was a bit worried that Carter George would drop a bit because of his lack of size in a size-crazed industry (concerning goaltenders). So, it was great to see George go in the second round to Los Angeles. There’s a deep-rooted connection to Owen Sound there and George is a heck of a goaltender. He’s so polished and refined already; he’s a big game goaltender.

Biggest Surprise: Ilya Nabokov (#38) to Colorado

Speaking of goaltenders, it was a shock to see 21-year-old Ilya Nabokov as the first netminder taken…and this early. Granted, his resume spoke for itself this year as the KHL’s playoff MVP. Colorado obviously wasn’t a big fan of their goaltending this year and by selecting Nabokov, they’re taking someone who can be a potential difference maker very soon, a lot sooner than your average draft eligible netminder.

ROUND THREE

Favourite Selection: Tarin Smith (#79) to Anaheim

Anaheim has had tremendous luck drafting electric offensive defenders like Smith in recent years. Mintyukov, Zellweger and Rodwin Dionicio all fit the mold. Zellweger even came from the same Everett (WHL) program as Smith. He is very raw. However, his offensive upside from the backend is extremely high. With such a strong and deep talent pool in place, Anaheim could afford to take a chance on him.

Favourite Selection: Matvei Shuravin (#97) to Florida

We ranked Shuravin #34 in our final rankings but did realize that we were higher on him than we expected him to be selected this weekend. It would appear that his weaker second half really pushed him down some draft boards. However, that’s Florida’s gain as they selected an athletic defender who showed some terrific flashes this year at both the KHL and MHL levels.

Biggest Surprise: Henry Mews (#74) to Calgary

Personally, I had somewhat expected Mews to fall at the draft. I didn’t believe that he would be a top 40-45 pick. However, I also did not expect him to slide all the way to the mid third. He’s a fairly dynamic offensive defender. I certainly have questions about his projection, but this represents great value for Calgary, especially after they grabbed Zayne Parekh in the first.

ROUND FOUR

Favourite Selection: Heikki Ruohonen (#107) to Philadelphia

We felt that Ruohonen was being massively underrated this year due to the fact that he stayed in the Finnish U20 league in order to preserve his NCAA eligibility. He’ll play in the USHL next year then head to Harvard. The physically imposing two-way power pivot is someone who could dramatically outperform his draft slot.

Favourite Selection: Hagen Burrows (#128) to Tampa Bay

We get the concerns over the feet. Burrows needs to improve his skating. But the 2024 Mr. Hockey Award winner plays a mature, pro-style game. He is a strong playmaker, and he can find his way to the net. Once he fills out his frame, he could be a terrific middle six NHL player.

Biggest Surprise: Trevor Hoskin (#106) to Calgary

As someone who covers Ontario, I just didn’t see this one coming. I thought that maybe Hoskin had a chance to go late in the draft after a strong World Junior A Challenge performance, however, this early? It’s very, very rare to see a double re-entry selected from Canadian Tier 2, let alone almost in the Top 100. We’ll see how this one works out for Calgary in the long run.

Biggest Surprise (bonus): Aron Kiviharju (#122) to Minnesota

I mean, how could we not include Kiviharju here. Yes, we expected him to fall. But, to the end of the fourth? So, what’s next for Kiviharju? Would he consider coming to the OHL next year to help recover his former top prospect status?

ROUND FIVE

Favourite Selection: Luke Misa (#150) to Calgary

No question, we could have listed this as the biggest surprise of round five. Seeing Misa fall to the mid-5th round was shocking. However, this is also an excellent value pick by Calgary. Did Misa close out this past OHL season on a high note? No. But, does he have the skating ability, tenacity, and skill to be an NHL player in some capacity? Absolutely.

Favourite Selection: Justin Poirier (#156) to Carolina

At some point, a player becomes just too good to pass up, even if you have concerns over projectability. In the 5th round, Poirier is terrific value for the Hurricanes. The size, skating, and IQ components of his game are dicey. But you can’t argue with the production and the offensive upside. Bottom line, you’re not going to find many guys in round five who could be top six scorers and that’s Poirier.

Biggest Surprise: Max Graham (#139) to New Jersey

No offense intended to Graham, but when he was drafted, I turned to Derek (who also scouts the West for us) and asked him who? He was flabbergasted that Graham, a double overager, was selected. He didn’t come close to hitting the point per game mark as a 20-year-old and it certainly brings to light questions over NHL upside.

ROUND SIX

Favourite Selection: Anthony Romani (#162) to Vancouver

I get the hesitation from NHL scouts. Is his offensive skill set translatable? He’s purely a complementary guy; one of the “quietest” CHL leading scorers in recent memory. But, at some point you have to bet on players who think the game at an elite level and that’s Romani. One team used a 17th overall selection on a player with pace/strength concerns, but high-end hockey sense, and another used the 162nd overall pick. Who got the best value?

Favourite Selection: Luke Ashton (#165) to Columbus

A re-entry out of the BCHL, Ashton is a really intriguing defensive prospect. He’s big. He’s mean. He’s athletic. He flashes high end skill. How it all comes together at a higher level remains to be seen. But we really like the upside. We also really like that he’s going to Minnesota State, a program that has developed defenders like him well.

Biggest Surprise: Stevie Leskovar (#174) to Minnesota

Again, no offense meant to Leskovar, but Derek had the same reaction to him as I did Graham. If you had told me that Leskovar would be drafted ahead of Leenders, Fibigr, and Finn Harding from that same Mississauga team, I would have called you crazy. Leskovar is a big, mean, throwback on the back end. He got better this year in his first full year with the Steelheads. But an NHL draft selection?

ROUND SEVEN

Favourite Selection: Ryerson Leenders (#219) to Buffalo

It worked with Devon Levi. It could work again with Leenders. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s very athletic. Quick post to post and solid in scramble mode, Leenders just needs to refine his approach and improve technically. He’s capable of stealing games and he could end up being a draft steal when all is said and done, similar to the way Florida got Levi (then traded him to Buffalo).

Favourite Selection: Erik Pahlsson (#213) to Nashville

We’ve had Pahlsson ranked for a few years now, so it was great to see him finally get selected after a solid year in the USHL. Again, there are some projection concerns over the athletic profile, but he finds a way to be productive. He’s intelligent. He’s shifty. He’s probably going to produce at the college level too with Minnesota.

Biggest Surprise: Alex Zetterberg Goes Undrafted, but Mac Swanson gets selected

Again, you hit a point in the draft where players are worth selecting despite some limitations. Mac Swanson’s size and skating combination are worrisome, but he’s one heck of a smart player. If he hits, he’s going to be a home run. The same could be said of Alex Zetterberg, the Swedish equivalent, who did nothing but produce this year. If you’re taking a chance on Swanson this late, Zetterberg deserved to go too.

OUR BEST UNDRAFTED PLAYERS

Tomas Galvas

The undersized defender was one of the draft’s best skaters, but it wasn’t enough for NHL teams. He’ll need to take his offensive game to another level. Would be great to see him in the CHL next year.

Daniil Ustinkov

Ustinkov started the year as a potential first round candidate and ended up not being selected. Concerns over his processing ability ultimately scared off teams. Does he come over to London next year to try to turn his career around?

Alex Zetterberg

Again, this one feels like a misstep. Yes, he’s small. Yes, there are strength concerns. But he’s ultra talented. Few players available in the 7th round would have had the upside of Zetterberg.

Nolan Roed

Our aggressive ranking of Roed came mostly from me, as he was a player I was very impressed with at the USHL and high school levels. I liked the competitive drive in his game. Next year’s Joe Connor?

Lukas Matecha

He just couldn’t recover from his poor second half. If he can put together a more consistent season next year, he’ll be back on the draft radar.

Matthew Van Blaricom

This one is shocking to me. Loved the aggressive and tenacious approach. Had a terrific WJAC. Here’s hoping that he goes somewhere next year (USHL, NCAA) where he can show that he should have been selected.

Frankie Marrelli

I get it. He’s an undersized stay at home type. But this young man is just such a smart defensive player. He competes hard and he’s going to get better at the offensive end too.

Gian Meier

A breakout performer at the U18’s with Switzerland, we figured someone would take Meier given the flashes he showed this year as a two-way defender.

2024 IIHF U18 World Championship – McKeen’s Team Predictions

McKeen's Hockey — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:08:46 +0000

231226 Konsta Helenius of Finland ahead of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Finland and Canada on December 26, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN / kod CS / CS0473

The 2024 IIHF U18 World Championships kick off early Thursday morning (Eastern time) in Finland. This is one of the most important events in the scouting calendar and as such, McKeen’s staff brings you their predictions for the tournament.

Medal Predictions

GOLD

Canada (7x)

USA (4)

SILVER

USA (5x)

Sweden (3x)

Finland (2x)

Canada (1x)

BRONZE

Finland (4x)

Canada (3x)

Sweden (2x)

USA (1x)

Czechia (1x)

James Hagens. Photo by Rena Laverty.

Award Predictions

TOURNAMENT MVP

James Hagens, USA (4x)

Tij Iginla, Canada (3x)

Porter Martone, Canada (2x)

Trevor Connelly, USA (1x)

Konsta Helenius, Finland (1x)

BEST DEFENDER

Henry Mews, Canada (3x)

Aron Kiviharju, Finland (2x)

Alfons Freij, Sweden (2x)

Cole Hutson, USA (2x)

Logan Hensler, USA (1x)

Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Sweden (1x)

BEST GOALTENDER

Carter George, Canada (4x)

Ryerson Leenders, Canada (2x)

Kim Saarinen, Finland (2x)

Nicholas Kempf, USA (1x)

Herman Liv, Sweden (1x)

Burning Questions

WHAT WILL BE THE SURPRISE OF THE TOURNAMENT?

“That the tournament will see many fantastic performances from players not eligible for the 2024 draft. I foresee many late 2006 born players and the 2007 born players in this tournament coming out and making names for themselves. Gavin McKenna, Matthew Schaefer, James Hagens, Logan Hensler, Luka Radivojevic, Adam Benák, Jakob Ihs Wozniak, Olivers Murineks and Niklas Aaram Olsen are just a few names that could really show out for their respective nations as underage talents.” (Steven Graves)

“Gavin McKenna will help Team Canada more than predicted.” (Jeremy Tremblay)

“The surprise is that Sweden loses in the quarterfinals, failing to make the semifinals for the first time since 2015 (when they had a disastrous 8th place finish). This also would end their run of five straight medals. This is made possible by a round robin loss to the Czechs, setting up a date with either the US or Finland in the quarterfinals. I'm just not confident in Sweden's depth and goaltending, in addition to the fact that they don't have a true game breaker in the lineup up front.” (Brock Otten)

“Finland's goaltending will be better than most people expect, and it will make them a very hard out in the semifinals but then carry them to a bronze medal.” (Derek Neumeier)

“Kazakhstan doesn't score more than one goal all tournament. With the sheer power level of Group B, Kazakhstan can't break through for more than a single goal. However, that goal will come against Canada. Because, well, of course it will.” (Felix Robbins)

“I think the surprise of the tournament for many people is going to be Cole Hutson. With the Hutson name sort of comes the expectation of high-octane offense, and I think that certainly could be there, but I think this tournament could really help show the progress he's made in making his game more well-rounded. I've found him to be inconsistent at times but in what is likely to be a big role for the Americans, Hutson could really surprise some people if he strings together a bunch of quality games where he plays strong two-way hockey.” (Ethan Hetu)

“I think Jett Luchanko ends up being the top forward for Canada in the tournament. I think his skating and compete level will shine in this short tournament.” (Jamison Derksen)

“Czechia - They're my dark horse for a medal this year. They clinched silver at the last Hlinka Gretzky Cup and are bringing many players from that squad to the U18s. The offense looks particularly strong with top players like Adam Benák, Max Curran, and Ondřej Kos. Moreover, Czechia boasts decent secondary scoring, which is crucial when competing with top nations. If Czechia performs well, expected leaders Adam Jecho and Tomáš Galvas could elevate their stock and contend for the first round.” (Matej Deraj)

WHICH DRAFT PROSPECT WILL RAISE HIS STOCK THE MOST?

Leo Sahlin Wallenius
Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRÅN

“Leo Sahlin Wallenius, when people see his combination of skating prowess and offensive efficiency against the best of his peers - they’re going to realize that he has the tools to be a top-4 option in the NHL one day.” (Steven Graves)

“Cole Eiserman will have a terrific tournament, helping his lately falling draft stock to rise.” (Jeremy Tremblay)

“Jett Luchanko - I just see him featuring big for Canada as one of the team's natural centers. His speed will play really well on the bigger ice and I think they slot him between guys like Ritchie, Greentree, Martone, etc. He's going to prove that he is one of the draft's elite playmaking pivots.” (Brock Otten)

“Marek Vanacker's stock has been rising steadily throughout this season, but this will be his best opportunity yet to showcase his abilities, and his game will reach an entirely new level now that he finally has elite talent to work alongside.” (Derek Neumeier)

“Alfons Freij. I've been hyping him up all year long, and I think that he's got the perfect opportunity to prove that he deserves FIRM 1st round consideration. Maybe even assert himself as one of the top D in the draft class.” (Felix Robbins)

“I think Emil Hemming has a chance to raise his stock the most. It's an interesting thing with guys who play professionally earlier than their peers, I think many of them get tagged with being "high floor, but lower ceiling" as a result of the fact that they're often operating in limited roles with their pro teams. Hemming is an example of a player who has had question marks related to his upside due to his league play with TPS. If he has an excellent tournament against his peers he can really firmly cement himself as a first-round prospect.” (Ethan Hetu)

“I think Henry Mews has an awesome opportunity to revitalize his draft stock this tournament. It’s pretty easy to see him establishing himself as the #1 D on Canada’s blueline and having a huge tournament.” (Jamison Derksen)

“Tomáš Galvas - I feel like he needs to perform at a bigger stage to truly showcase his talent. Galvas had a strong year with Liberec in Czechia top tier league, however, he's still a bit in Adam Jiříček's shadow and doesn't get the recognition he deserves, in my opinion. He's a brilliant skater, a smart two-way defenseman who loves to join the rush and make plays with the puck. Due to Jiříček's absence, he should be the key defenseman for Czechia and show he belongs to the first two rounds of the upcoming NHL Draft.” (Matej Deraj)

WHICH DRAFT PROSPECT ARE YOU MOST INTRIGUED TO SEE PERFORM?

“Darels Uljanskis - I want to see just how good he is in a best on best tournament with his peers. He is the most promising talent among the 2006 born players out of Latvia, so I want to really see how his two-way game holds up playing lots of minutes for Latvia. This could be a big tournament for him, as this will be the place where the most eyes will be on him.” (Steven Graves)

“Definitely Kiviharju, who missed a good amount of time this season.” (Jeremy Tremblay)

“Aron Kiviharju - Once hyped, now a bit of an afterthought because of injuries this year. What will we see from him now that he's (assumingly) healthy? Finland is going to need him at the top of their game because they are top heavy this year and will be playing the crap out of their big guns. Has his development truly plateaued?” (Brock Otten)

“Emil Hemming. He was a force of nature early in the season at the U20 level in Finland, but then his game cooled off a lot once he got called up to the Liiga. This tournament will be a fresh opportunity for him, and he has the potential to be one of the best players there and one of the top point producers.” (Derek Neumeier)

“Lucas Pettersson, since I haven't been too sure of what to make of him as of late. He's fallen out of my first round due to others in the region outperforming him, but I think being surrounded by very talented teammates is going to give him the chance to play a more elevated game and showcase the dominant offensive ability he's flashed throughout the J20 season. I feel like we'll get to know who Lucas Pettersson really is, once and for all.” (Felix Robbins)

“I'm most intrigued to see Aron Kiviharju here. It's a bit of an obvious answer, but the reality is he was once viewed as a high-end prospect but has had injuries completely derail his progress.This is his chance to really make his mark before the draft.” (Ethan Hetu)

“I think it will be pretty nice to see Liam Greentree with some better linemates after the season in Windsor. It’ll also be interesting to see how his skating looks on the bigger ice.” (Jamison Derksen)

“Konsta Helenius - After a massive year in Finnish Liiga, Helenius is ready to represent his country at the home tournament. As the anticipated leader of Finland's offense, all eyes will be on Helenius to see how he performs and elevates his stock. A successful tournament could put him in the top five conversation for the upcoming draft. He's an extremely smart, well-rounded player who projects as a future top centre. It'll be interesting to watch him play against his peers again after a successful season in the Finnish top tier league.” (Matej Deraj)

WHICH 2025 PROSPECT MAKES HIS MARK?

“Logan Hensler - Hensler is a name you’re going to start to hear more and more as the 2025 draft comes around. I think he is the best defender in the 2006 class of Americans, and I think he’s just scratching the surface on what he could be. He is going to impress with his skating and his two-way play the entire tournamen. Hensler will solidify himself as a top-5 player going into the 2025 draft. He has all the tools to be a top-2 NHL defender, and I think he’ll showcase why at the tournament.” (Steven Graves)

“James Hagens will prove himself to be the best available player for the 2025 NHL draft.” (Jeremy Tremblay)

“Matt Schaefer - This is such a tough question because of how many outstanding late born 2006's there are at this tournament like Hagens, Hensler, Martone, McQueen, etc. However, I think Schaefer is a guy people are underrating because his offensive production in Erie this year was pretty pedestrian compared to some of the other top young defenders out of the CHL in recent years. Yet, he proved at the U17's that he was one of the best defenders in this age group and I think he's up for the challenge here, to show that he's a candidate to be the best 2007 born defender.” (Brock Otten)

“James Hagens will have a tremendous tournament, leading the United States in scoring and cementing himself as the undisputed frontrunner to get picked 1st overall in the 2025 draft.” (Derek Neumeier)

“Viggo Nordlund. Undersized, shifty, dynamic playmaker from Skelleftea who absolutely took over the J20 Playoffs this season, scoring nearly 3 points per game. Like Victor Eklund at the Hlinka Gretzky, Nordlund is going to bulldog his way to the spotlight and show off that offensive toolkit as well.” (Felix Robbins)

“James Hagens - The obvious choice, but he's going to play a leading role on a really strong Team USA and is surrounded by exceptional offensive players. He's a dynamic creator and I think this tournament will mark the beginning of his hype cycle as teams that don't win the Macklin Celebrini lottery shift their focus towards him.” (Ethan Hetu)

“Definitely Luka Radivojevic, he will be leaned on heavily on the back end for Slovakia. I don’t expect Slovakia to have a great tournament but Radivojevic will be the one to watch in those Slovakia games.” (Jamison Derksen)

2024 IIHF U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: GROUP B – Team Previews – Players to Watch

Chapin Landvogt — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:40:39 +0000

Alfons Frej.
Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRÅN /

On April 25th, the IIHF Under 18 World Championships will commence with Team USA looking to defend last spring’s gold medal victory over Sweden, which itself had an extremely impressive tournament in gaining silver. For Group B action at this spring’s event, spectators and tournament followers alike can expect some fierce competition and any number of combinations in the standings, as each of Canada, Czechia, and Sweden enter tourney action with their sights rightfully set on first place. Should they finish 1st through 3rd, chances are that they’ll avoid facing off against the returning world champions in the quarterfinals, a goal each will take seriously. At the other end of the spectrum, Team Switzerland will be absolutely focused on what should be their decisive preliminary round match against newbie Kazakhstan on the 26th, 24 hours after facing off against the Czechs. For the Kazakhs, that game will mark their first appearance in the elite pool since 2003. Rest assured that both clubs are well aware that relegation is once again part of the fun again.

Sweden

The reigning silver medalists are heading to Finland with a line-up worthy of a medal favorite status, even if not heavy on 1st round draft options. Amazingly, not a single player was part of last spring’s valiant silver medal effort yet features six players who got into SHL action this winter, one center who is currently taking a regular shift in the Hockey Allsvenskan finals, and in general, an entire squad that spent the vast bulk of the season playing in the nation’s top U20 circuit, many of whom were dominant offensive contributors. Throw in a couple of goalies who saw plenty of playing time this winter and you’ve got a fairly well-oiled squad that will get a load of attention from the scouting community. The group is for sure a toughie, but it’s hard to imagine the Swedes finishing anything less than 3rd in group play and if that means Finland in the quarterfinals, the Tre Kronor will be more than keen on having the opportunity to knock off their archrival in their home venue.

Top Players to Watch

Victor Eklund (F)

As impressive as the emergence of teammate and 2024 draft-eligible Linus Eriksson has been this season, Eklund is authoring a story that may end up being all that much better when all is said and done. A statistical playmaker by trade, the 6’1” lanky winger has been making sweet offensive music over the past weeks of playoffs for Djurgarden’s men's team, putting up 6 points and a +3 rating in 14 games. Incredibly strong on the puck and capable of turning on a dime, Eklund looks a bit like a taller, skinnier version of his brother William, a recent 1st rounder who just concluded a 45-point rookie season in the NHL. Although this will be Eklund’s final go-around at the U18 Worlds, he’s first eligible for the 2025 draft and all signs are that he too will jostle for a position among next summer’s top 10 draftees like his brother before him. First, he’ll want to put a nice exclamation mark on this season’s achievements with some solid production for what has to be seen as a medal contender. He could very well end up in the team’s top 6.

Linus Eriksson (F)

After chipping in 21 points and a +15 in 25 U20 league games for the ambitious Djurgarden organization, Eriksson was called up to the pro team and hasn’t looked back. Currently mired in the Hockey Allsvenskan championship series against Brynäs, Eriksson has shown no sign of being a junior player, handling all the rough stuff while continuing to score goals and make plays. In total, he’s collected 7 goals and 15 points in 40 pro games this season, often lining up with Djurgarden star Linus Klassen. As could be expected, his star has risen in draft rankings as well and this tournament should serve as one in which he solidifies whether he’s a 1st or 2nd round talent in the upcoming draft. Eriksson likes to drive the puck to the goal and has no qualms shooting rather than passing, which should be an admirable trait for the Swedes.

Alfons Freij (D)

Very smooth on his feet and possessing some often silky mitts, Freij has been a delight to watch all season as he brings all sorts of thrills to the table and can often be seen conducting his signature stick twirl in one hand when he scores. At 6’1”, 198 pounds, he has wonderful size, but is still very mobile and makes good use of his long stick. The author of 16 goals over 45 total U20 league games, Freij was already a PPG player at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer and will be counted on to be a top 2 defenseman at this tournament, hopefully keeping up the offensive production while at it. We won’t hold back in saying that he does have his detractors in the scouting community, so what he does at this tournament will likely decide if he’s a first round pick in June - or not.

Herman Liv (G)

Liv was a minute-muncher all season long for Örebro’s U20 outfit, ultimately standing in goal for well over 2000 minutes in that league’s regular season alone. All in all, he went 20-16 with a 2.82 GAA and then topped that off with a 6-2 record and 2.09 GAA in the playoffs. Already the nation’s starter last summer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he went 3-0 with a miniscule 1.60 GAA, he should be the man in net for the team this spring, which will make this team an emotional one for fans across the country as Liv’s father Stefan was a legendary Swedish goaltender who tragically passed away in the 2011 plane crash carrying nearly the entire Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL team. Only 6-foot tall and weighing just 170 pounds, his presence in goal is reminiscent of Sweden’s most recent gold medal-winning goaltender Hugo Hävelid in more ways than one. Liv could easily end up being one of the top three goalies at this tournament.

Lucas Pettersson (F)

A regular offensive contributor at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer (4 points in as many games) and the WJAC-19 (8 points in 6 games), we currently see Pettersson as a likely high second round draft pick in this summer’s draft. One of a half dozen players on the team to get into SHL action this year (5 games), his 57 points and +27 in 44 U20 league games had him firmly implanted as one of the circuit’s most dominating offensive players, having played fewer games than the majority of his company in the upper echelon of the league. Here in Finland, we’ll be looking for him to be one of the offensive motors in the top six and although it would be unfair to expect him to produce like Otto Stenberg did last season, it is a role this Swedish team is going to need Pettersson to try to fill for this spring’s edition.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius (D)

Thought to be a bit of a stiff player by some, Wallenius is ultimately a very mobile defenseman who only measures in at 6-foot, 180-pounds. However, he plays like a defenseman who is four inches taller and there’s a lot of stretch to his stick and willingness to lean into opposition players. Moreover, there’s some sly offensive ability here as he enjoys walking the blueline every bit as much as he happily jumps up into the play to replace a forward or serve as the 4th man on the rush. After putting up five points in four Hlinka Gretzky Cup games and 19 through 19 games played with the U18 squad throughout the season, he also had 45 points and a +21 through 48 U20 league games, tying him for the league scoring lead among defensemen. Coming from the same Växjö program, he and Freij already build an experienced pairing with chemistry. This tournament could be decisive in pointing which of the two is actually the more impactful player.

Canada

Same procedure as every year for a Team Canada that is heading to this tournament chock full of players the scouts have been watching all winter long with other options having just come available as teams get knocked off in the CHL playoffs. With little time to gel being afforded to what is a bit of an all-star team among players not still active with their junior clubs, coach Gardiner MacDougall will have some interesting weapons to go with, several of the underage variety, including returnee Porter Martone. For the Canadians, the big battles against the Czechs and Swedes, which will come right in games 1 and 2, will be key for jockeying for the top spot in the group as well as getting the team ready for playoff competition. Having defeated Finland 5-1 in an initial test game, it’s hard to imagine this team won’t make the semifinals and thus, play for a medal. The team’s impressive overall construction and 3 lines of scorers places the gold medal very much in reach as long as the blueline group and goaltending can hold up their end of the bargain.

Top Players to Watch

Liam Greentree (F)

You don’t often see 90-point CHL scorers at this tournament, but thanks to Greentree and Gavin McKenna, Canada will be throwing two of them on the ice. Perhaps even together. For the burly, well-built winger who is widely considered a strong top 20 candidate for the upcoming NHL draft, this tournament will be about showing the scouting community that he’s ready to lead a team towards the promised land in a tournament where a player of his quality simply has to step up to the plate. He won’t be alone in this endeavor by any means, but he should be a part of the top six and an installation on the powerplay. We’re also thinking he’s going to need to drive the nets hard and be in on his share of the garbage goals around the goalmouth. On the personal front, his performance at this tourney may just mean the difference between being selected in the first rather than the second half of the first round.

Tij Iginla (F)

Expected to be a late addition to the team, Canada should be adding a player in Iginla who has all the makings of being the tournament’s top goal getter, if not its top scorer. Coming off a 47-goal season in the WHL, one in which he added another 9 goals and 15 points in 11 playoff games, Iginla may be the hottest player coming into the event. Son of NHL legend Jarome, Iginla has steadily made his way up the draft rankings all winter long, having raised eyebrows right off the bat with 13 goals in his first 12 games and 15 in the first 20. Possessing a heavy shot, plenty of moves, meticulous passing skills, and the ability to use his edges in a manner that perhaps his own father couldn’t even do, he’s going to be the type of player you can’t stop, but only hope to contain. A dominating performance in Finland would surely fortify him as a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft.

Porter Martone (F)

A 6’3” winger first eligible for the 2025 NHL draft, Martone is entering this tournament as a returnee who just spent this winter putting up 33 goals, 71 points, and a +25 in the OHL, chipping in another 6 points in 5 playoff games. We already saw at last spring’s U18 Worlds that Marone is a big fan of the bigger ice surface, where he can go on a deking tear while gaining speed or swerving through the masses. There’s a ton of skill here, but also a lot of the ideal prerequisites for a power forward and Martone always brings that “joker” quality to the table, as he can slice open a game at any given time. Doing so on an even more consistent basis could be just what Canada will need if the gold medal is to be obtained.

Maxime Masse (F)

At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, Masse informed the hockey world that he was in for a big winter by knocking in 5 goals in his first 4 games. With just one goal in his first 9 games with Chicoutimi of the QMJHL, it looked like he might not be able to live up to the expectations he had set, but his 35 goals over the next 58 games told an entirely different story. By the time the regular season concluded, he had amassed 75 points in 67 games and went on to add another 6 in 8 playoff games, the last of which being a goal just 8 days before tourney begin. Expect to see Masse placed next to a couple of like-minded offensive players and then we should see some fireworks. Like Iginla, Masse has the potential to be the tournament’s top goal scorer.

Gavin McKenna (F)

It’s already quite the claim to fame to say you’re Connor Bedard’s cousin (admittedly, by marriage), but McKenna may be the most marquee name of this tournament whatsoever coming off a 97-point regular season for the Medicine Hat Tigers, having done so entirely as a 16-year-old. That age bears taking to heart because McKenna is on track to the be the #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, which is still a long ways away. A sniper and deker with off-the-charts offensive instincts, McKenna is already 6-foot tall and handles the puck as if there’s a magnet on his stick. Just seeing him here will be a treat for hockey fans across the world and there’s really no reason he can’t end up being the most impactful player at the tournament.

Henry Mews (D)

His seven points in five Hlinka Gretzky Cup games last summer told us that the righty shot defender was in for a big draft year season. He did not disappoint! When the dust settled on his OHL season with the Ottawa 67’s, Mews had put up 15 goals, 61 points, and a +16 with a healthy dose of penalty minutes sprinkled in over 65 games. Another 5 points were chipped in over 10 playoff games, which - truth be told - was a bit quiet for the defender with the heavy and accurate blueline shot, especially when one sees that those points were spread out over only 2 of ten games. He, if not Spencer Gill, will now have a chance to be the ne plus ultra on the powerplay for Canada and can be realistically viewed as one of the top 5 defensemen heading in the tournament.

Marek Vanacker (F)

Of decent, but below average height and weight, the 6-foot forward managed to pull off one of the biggest OHL point jumps you’re ever going to see, going from 16 points in his rookie season to 82 in his draft year. Despite playing for a team that missed the playoffs, he also managed to collect a +7. Not shabby! Knowing how to get feisty at times, Vanacker has thrown a bit of a wrench into the plans of prospect rankers leaving some to think he may be worthy of a late 1st round pick. All the more important for this top 6 forward to put an exclamation point on his fantastic regular season with a big U18 Worlds showing. But will he get the kind of situational ice time to do so? The competition within the team will be fierce, especially from the likes of Jett Luchanko, Cole Beaudoin, and underager Malcolm Spence, all of whom could just as easily been mentioned here.

Czechia

Outside of Canada, not a team at this tournament can feature this many players currently playing for a CHL junior club. There are another half dozen players on the team who spent their winters in Sweden or Finland. Those who do play domestically have put up dominating junior numbers and spent this season gaining pro experience as well, save for a few exceptions. That means that the combination of experience and talent is one that should have the Czechs right in the thick of things with regards to medaling. The team has a few big boys, but plenty of undersized players as well. The program is hoping that the CHL experience might pay off best against Team Canada, a rivalry that has grown considerably at no less than the U20 level in recent years. One way or another, the Czechs will be gunning for a top 2 spot in the group and it’s hard to imagine anything less than a 3rd place finish. We can guarantee that no-one is looking forward to facing the Czechs in the quarterfinals after their final’s appearance at last summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Top Players to Watch

Adam Benak (F)

He’s as small as it gets but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic player and generator of offense in this tournament. Slick, crafty, and creative, Benak enters opposition zones looking to slice them apart and then use a variety of pathways to the goal. Primarily a playmaker, Benak understandably dominated U18 play in the Czech Republic while scoring at a PPG pace in the nation’s U20 circuit. He also got into 18 games in the country’s top league, ending the season having suited up for 60 games over several layers of the Plzen organization. This came off the tails of a 10-point outing in 5 Hlinka Gretzky Cup games last summer, which topped the tournament. Look for Benak to be no less than an absolute fixture on the top power play unit at this tournament as he continues to lay the tracks for “the little engine that could” rubric of the ever evolving 2025 draft rankings picture.

Max Curran (C)

One of the younger players available for the upcoming draft, Curran is an enticing 6’3”, 190-pound playmaking center hailing from the Slavia Praha program in Prague. A top import selection of the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, it’s safe to say that his initial season in North America wasn’t exactly what the doctor ordered for the American-based WHL participant, but in light of the team’s overall dearth of offensive production, his 32 points in 40 games had him on pace to finish among the top 4 team scorers, several of which are already drafted. Moreover, he’ll need to be a key contributor for this Czech team, bringing valuable international experience to the table in a group featuring a highly anticipated Team Canada. With his draft stock having dropped a wee bit, we’re betting on Curran delivering a notable performance over the next 12 days.

Jakub Fibigr (D)

Part of a huge wave of Czech players drafted by CHL clubs in last summer’s import draft, Fibigr may be the one player of that group who actually exceeded expectations. Ultimately, he put up 43 points in 61 OHL contests and little of what he had done before had indicated that he’d have such production in him. As such, his stock continued to rise all winter long. A first round playoff loss for his Mississauga team still saw him chip in 4 assists in 5 games. He’ll now man the left side of one of Czechia’s top two defensive pairings and will be bringing a whole lot of experience to the ho-down in Finland as the Czechs should feature one of the better defensive units.

Tomas Galvas (D)

Measuring in at solely 5’10” and 150 pounds, it may seem astounding that Galvas has gained top 3-round consideration for the upcoming draft, but the slick skating defenseman with dominating edgework has presented himself to be a cerebral player whose size doesn’t curtail his effectiveness. He’s already spent most the year playing pro hockey in the Czech Republic’s top pro league, where he unfortunately gained perhaps the most notoriety by getting decked with an open-ice check to the head. Still, despite missing time and only seeing roughly 10 minutes of ice time per game throughout the season, Galvas played with the poise of a veteran in gaining 7 points and a +8 while collecting 19 points in 23 U20-league games. His WJC performance was every bit as impressive, gaining an average of roughly 15 minutes of ice time per game for a very successful Czech club. There’s really no reason Galvas can’t be a difference-maker at this tournament as the heavy play of the favorites shouldn’t phase him in light of his experience.

Adam Jecho (F)

A veteran of three Hlinka Gretzky Cups, the 6’5” Jecho has had a strong winter putting up 47 points in 54 games for a disappointing Edmonton Oil Kings team in what was his first season in North America. He’ll be heading to Finland as one of the tournament’s heaviest players and can serve as a coast-to-coast winger for the team, hopefully adding a strong goalmouth presence when he’s not manning the power play from the faceoff circles. He’s got a lot to work with on this team and is quite familiar with a number of his teammates, so there may be more space and better feeds than what he was experiencing in the WHL this winter. A top tourney could lead to a first round selection this June.

Oskar Lisler (F)

At 6’1”, 196 pounds, Lisler is one of the more solidly built players on a team filled with smaller participants. In addition, he’s one of only two of the team’s players to spend the bulk of the season playing in the Swedish U20 league. Much like more ballyhooed teammates in North America such as Adam Titlbach and Jiri Klima, he hasn’t separated himself from the competition in a scoring capacity (10 goals, 17 points in 35 games), but he’s been on fire for the national team since the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and is clearly a go-to player in all situations for this coaching staff. We’re viewing Lisler as being one of the players who wouldn’t be drafted if the draft were today but will worm his way into a late round pick with an inspired performance in Finland.

Radim Mrtka (D)

We’ve often looked at the size of Czech and Slovak defenders developed in the course of time and wondered what the heck is in the water in Central Europe. Now enters Mrtka who, at age 16, already measures in at 6’4”, 183 pounds. It’s just not normal! And that any possible awkwardness in his skating may have as much to do with his age and the effects of puberty as anything else, Mrtka spent this winter showing himself to be an absolute shutdown machine who can contribute in the offensive zone (30 total points and +22 over 47 total games) at both the U20 and U17 levels in the Czech Republic. His Trinec program even entrusted him to suit up three times with the pro team. Start taking notes on him now because he’s in line to be a top prospect for the 2025 draft.

Petr Sikora (F)

One of the more prized Czech forwards for the upcoming draft, Sikora has been part of the Czech program for several years now and was already a chief contributor at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer. He’s coming off an outstanding season in the Czech Republic where the average-sized playmaker had 47 points and a +34 in 34 games. He also got into 22 games in the nation’s top pro league, where he’s expected to take on a bigger role next season. He’ll be expected to start all that “bigger role” stuff right here at the U18 Worlds as a top 6 forward with powerplay time.

Switzerland

A 3rd place finish and quarterfinal loss last spring was understood as getting the expected result for a Swiss team that should be heading into this tournament thinking almost solely about maintaining the class more. Unfortunately for Switzerland, it best compares with participants Latvia, Norway, and Slovakia, all of which are nations that will be conducting their preliminary round against each other in Group A. Instead, Switzerland will have to hope for a victory against a very unknown Team Kazakhstan in their most vital preliminary round task. That would likely see them avoid the relegation round and wrap up a playoff spot right off the bat. Even in the case of a victory, it’s hard to imagine the boys around captain Leon Muggli will be able to muster much should they face the US or Finland in the quarterfinals, having lost to the latter in a recent test game 7-0. Nonetheless, the Swiss will approach every game knowing the score is 0-0 to kick things off.

Top Players to Watch

Robin Nico Antenen (F)

At 6’2”, 187 pounds, Antenen provides ideal size while displaying a penchant for the fancy play here or there. Despite garnering international interest, Antenen stuck to his guns at home this winter and promptly became one of the top 17-year-olds in the country’s U20 league, chipping in 47 points in 55 total games. His play was so impressive that he got into 6 games of NL action in the course of the season. In Finland, you can expect the winger to ride shotgun with playmaker Jamiro Reber while creating space on the ice with his big frame and slick skating.

Christian Kirsch (G)

The future UMASS goaltender was already quite an interesting case at last year’s tournament thanks to his future plans and his 6’4” netfront presence as a 16-year-old. He ended up getting heavily hit in two outings but parlayed that experience into dominating play at Switzerland’s U20 level this season, going 22-5-1 in the regular season and then in winning the league championship with a 7-3-1 playoff record. His 2.32 GAA in the regular season was followed by a 2.17 GAA in the postseason. Large, rangy, and yet still quite athletic, we’d say the #1 job is his to run with if the program weren’t so high on the similarly sized Phileas Lachat. The NCAA crowd will nonetheless be excited to see what he can do here before he likely ventures over to the USHL in preparation for his 25-26 debut in college hockey.

Leon Muggli (D)

The heart-n-soul of this Swiss entry, Muggli will be the man with the “C” on his chest and is in line to rack up gobs of ice time. Whenever a situation is deemed to be critical, which should be often in this tough Group B play, you can expect to see Muggli on the ice. He’d probably just play all 60 minutes if you could fit an oxygen tank under his equipment. A tough-as-nails warrior who may be as valuable to the Swiss effort without the puck as he is with it, Muggli already has a U18 Worlds, Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and WJC under his belt. He’s also coming off a full season of NL play that even saw him suit up for 11 playoff games (2 points and a +4). He’s rightly the highest ranked Swissman for this summer’s draft and the reasons why should become quite apparent to all in attendance at this tournament.

Yannik Ponzetto (F)

Ponzetto is a gritty and active-in-the-corners type of player who was all over the ice at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, often finding himself in the middle of top opportunities and collecting 3 points along the way. Not long thereafter, he found himself in the QMJHL and although his 14 points in 68 games for three different teams don’t scream “resounding success”, he’ll be bringing crucial international experience to the table and will serve as one of the key players for this Swiss team, especially when the going gets rough. There’s more to the package here and we suspect he’ll be very involved in anything promising the Swiss manage to put together.

Jamiro Reber (F)

We saw Reber flashing his goods at last summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Not the biggest player, he’s definitely got some jazz and above-average offensive instincts paired with some slick edges in tight corners. Despite only being one of the youngest players eligible for this summer’s draft, Reber put up a very impressive 41 points in 48 U20 league games for HV71 before leading the U18 team with 9 points in 5 playoff games. There’s some real jam in his game and he already represented Switzerland at the WJC this winter, so he’s coming in with some great tournament experience and chemistry with players such as Muggle, Antenen, and Daniil Ustinkov. Expect him to be a cog on the power play and a go-to first line player throughout the tournament.

Daniil Ustinkov (D)

After a full season of pro play (10 assists and a +13) and a WJC performance with a fairly regular shift, Ustinkov is clearly a key component of this Swiss outfit, what with his prior experience at this tournament and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer also factoring in. A shifty skater who can create a head of steam, Ustinkov should be in line for a whole lot of ice time, especially in key moments of the game. Adept at playing a physical game, his value should increase in bouts with group opponents Canada and Sweden. In the past, Ustinkov was a fixture on the powerplay and that shouldn’t change here. Being his draft year, this will be the last opportunity for Ustinkov to accentuate how NHL teams should view him as June approaches.

Kazakhstan

It’s been a long time coming for a hockey nation that has spent many years mired in the D1A and D1B echelons of the IIHF, 21 to be exact. We’ve seen the men’s team at the top level on a number of occasions and even the U20 squad has snuck into the WJC a couple of times, but the U18 level is one that has struggled to get ahead of its peers. As such, the promotion last spring was a monumental success and was achieved despite the fact that the Kazakhs lost to heavy favorite Denmark by a score of 8-3 along the way. Ouch! But the producer of former NHLer Nikolai Antropov enters tourney play knowing it's the heavy underdog but that an upstart win over Switzerland could mean all the difference in the world to retaining the class. Other than that, the program will be finding out just what it’s actually capable of, considering the team is sending 12 players from its own U20 league into the running, with the majority of the rest playing in Russian junior circuits, including 4 in the MHL.

Top Players to Watch

Semyon Cherkasov (F)

After three years as part of the Spartak Moscow program, Cherkasov returned home to suit up for MHK Astana to play in the Jastar, the nation’s own 12-team U20 league. There he was the league’s dominant scorer with 36-33-69 in 52 total games. Strong to the net despite his 5’9”, 154-pound body, Cherkasov has the makings of a playmaker but showed a keen sense of goalscoring from all sorts of angles. If he doesn’t produce in Finland, the D1A will once again be beckoning next spring.

Artur Glukhikh (F)

Still just 16, the 6’1”, 176-pound Glukhikh will be the player scouts will be most interested in seeing from Kazakhstan. He too played in the Jastar, being the driving force for Kamenogorsk with 30 goals and 52 points in 52 games and is expected to be one of the few players on the team who can provide offensive flair, especially in the department of goal-scoring. Like with most everyone on the team, this will be his first international appearance for his nation.

Asanali Sarkenov (F)

On a team full of smaller skaters, the 6’4”, 200-pound Sarkenov will not be hard to miss. A player not foreign to the penalty box, Sarkenov clipped at about a PPG pace in the Jastar but spent the great majority of the season playing in Russia’s MHL, where he had 8 points and 53 penalty minutes over 42 games. We’re anticipating that he’s going to let the beast out at this tournament, hoping to gain notice of the many scouts in attendance.

Mstislav Shipilin (D)

Still eligible for this tournament by a single day, Shipilin is the one player on the team who was also a member of Kazakhstan’s D1A U20 team and just concluded an entire season of MHL play as a 17-year-old. Just average in size, he does have a decent all-round package and will be expected to do a lot of the heavy lifting in Finland. Like his teammates, he’s lacking international experience, even if that D1A U20 Worlds gave him more than most.

Abylaikhan Toleubai (G)

Although 6’1”, Toleubai is a lightweight goaltender who will be experiencing his first international tournament for Kazakhstan. He’s coming off a season in the domestic Jastar league where he went 21-6 with a 2.10 GAA. Those numbers faltered a bit in the playoffs, where he lost the starting job on the way to the league championship. Together with tiny tot Danil Lytkin, he’ll have to be a magic man anytime he may stand in goal if his country is to stave off elimination. That he’s an open book heading in may be just the advantage he needs.