Veeti Vaisanen – McKeen's Hockey

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

Steven Graves — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:14:23 +0000

Cole Eiserman. Photo courtesy of the USNTDP. Rena Laverty.

The annual U18 World Championship begins this year on April 25th, and it is to be hosted in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland. Group A is on the weaker side, with last year's gold medalist’s the United States and the host Finland as the favourite’s to top the group this time around.
The Americans and their NTDP roster as the odds-on favourites to take home gold. Unfortunately, the other three teams in the group don’t really have rosters to compete with the Americans and the Finns. Slovakia has the best chance at being a sleeper to maybe pull off an upset, but without a strong ‘06 class of players it’s going to be a tough ask. Norway and Latvia will fight for which team will play in relegation, but they will boast some young up-and-coming talents that will be great to see play in a tournament like this.

United States

The United States are coming into the U18’s with the expectations of a gold medal or bust. Last year's gold medalists in Basel, Switzerland are looking to repeat as winners for the first time since 2015. Ever since the implementation of the NTDP, the US have come into the U18’s as heavy favourites, this year is no different. With two years of chemistry under their belts, and a roster that is comprised of many promising talents, it’s easy to see why it’s expected year in and out that the nation brings home the gold medal at this event. This roster isn’t as potent offensively as last years but there are still many players to look out for when the puck drops against Slovakia.

Top Players to Watch

James Hagens - F

One of the few returning players for the American roster this year. After potting a goal and five points last year, Hagens is poised to build on that this year as “the guy” for this American squad. Hagens was undoubtedly the best player on the USNTDP this season, putting up an impressive 79 points in 50 games at the program. Hagens is a play driver through and through and if America wants to win gold, they’ll need Hagens at the top of his game. Hagens isn’t even NHL draft eligible until 2025, where he is the early favorite to go #1 overall. Doing well at this tournament will only solidify that notion.

Cole Eiserman - F

Although Eiserman had a very good year statistically, he has seen himself fall down draft boards throughout the year. Fair or not, Eiserman is undoubtedly the US squad’s best goal scorer, and the Americans will need the sharpshooter Eiserman to be firing on all cylinders throughout the entire tournament if the team plans to go far. His 118 goals in the past two seasons as a member of the NTDP is a testament to his goal scoring prowess. Eiserman ranks second all-time in the program's history, next to only Cole Caufield’s 126.

Logan Hensler - D

Hensler is the rock on this USA blueline, he is a defender that can log heavy minutes and impose himself offensively, defensively and physically. He is one of the more notable defensive prospects eligible for next year's NHL draft and a big tournament here in Finland can really go a long way in establishing that narrative in the eyes of scouts. The University of Wisconsin commit is currently seen as one of, if not the best defender in the 2025 NHL draft class. Expect a great tournament out of the big defender.

Trevor Connelly - F

Connelly just enjoyed a fantastic sophomore season in the USHL for Tri City as a draft eligible, where he put up 31 goals and 78 points in only 52 games. Connelly is going to provide that offense for this American team in this tournament on top of bringing a physical element in the top-6 that they desperately need. Expect him to slot in on the teams second line next to underage talent LJ Mooney and Teddy Stiga. Expect Connelly to come out swinging because he has the talent to be a top-10 selection in this draft, so playing and producing with and against the best of his peers at this tournament will be a big step to achieve that.

Cole Hutson - D

Cole Hutson, younger brother of Montreal Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson came into the year with a ton of hype behind him after a fantastic season with the U18 USNTDP as an underager, unfortunately it has been a year of ups and downs for Cole who has failed to replicate a fantastic U17 season. Hutson is one of three returning players from last year’s U18 team that won gold, in which he led the whole tournament in scoring from the blueline with 12 points in seven games. Hutson will be manning the first power play this year as well so expect similar offensive totals as last year for the blueliner.

Teddy Stiga - F

Stiga is undoubtedly the most improved player on this US roster from this time last year. Stiga, a Boston College commit, went from a bottom-6 energy role with the NTDP last year, putting up only 21 points in 49 games, to a guy that is relied upon to be a scorer in the top-6 this season. He has seen a 44-point increase from this season to last and has really rocketed up draft boards as a result. This tournament will be a big test for Stiga to really cement his place as a potential first round selection in the upcoming NHL draft.

LJ Mooney - F

The underage Mooney was a late addition to this U18 NTDP class. The undersized forward didn’t have a great offensive season with the U17 national team but after a late season call up to the U18 team, he really started to show off his offensive game after getting fed top-6 minutes. He is the only underager on the US roster. Although we have seen some impressive performances from underagers in the past for the US, don’t expect that to be the case this year, with only Mooney providing hope in that regard.

Finland

Finland come into this tournament as hosts of the event, and because of it, expectations are sky-high for this team. Up front, the roster will be led by top 2024 NHL draft prospect Konsta Helenius. He will be the heartbeat for this team. Helenius will be doing a lot of the heavy lifting on offense with help from potential first round pick Emil Hemming joining in on the fun as well. On defence, the long-awaited return of Aron Kiviharju will be the big talking point here - we finally get to see him in game speed after missing almost the entire year to injury. Veeti Väisänen should provide some solid two-way play on the blueline as well. A weak division means their only real challenger should be the United States, so anything less than second in the group will be seen as a disappointment.

Top Players to Watch

Konsta Helenius - F

After a monster season in Finland’s highest men's league with Jukurit, posting 36 points in 51 games in the regular season and another six in as many games in the playoffs - Helenius is looking to lead the Finns to a gold medal here on home ice. Although Helenius has seen his stock drop a bit since the middle part of the season, he is absolutely a player that can, and will carry his team to victory. He is Finlands best offensive weapon and will be deployed as such throughout the tournament. Helenius is a name many NHL clubs will have interest in, especially teams picking in the lottery, so eyes will be on him to perform on home ice.

Aron Kiviharju - D

After missing almost his entire draft season to injury, Kiviharju comes into the U18’s with one goal. Play as well as possible to salvage his draft stock. Scouts will be flocking to the games Kiviharju plays to get a good look at where he is at after his injury. This tournament is a massive test for Kiviharju who at one point in time was seen as one of the top talents for the 2024 draft. Although Kiviharju is small, he is one of the most electrifying offensive blueliners eligible for the 2024 draft. He will man the first power play for the Finns and will be a big reason as to why Finland will see success at this tournament.

Emil Hemming - F

Hemming is a power forward that is seen as a potential first round selection in the 2024 NHL draft. He played the entire year in the Liiga with TPS against men and is a guy Finland is really going to rely upon for offensive contribution throughout the tournament. Expect Finland to put him in a position to succeed, as Hemming has a fantastic release so expect the Finns to have him shooting as much as possible during the event.

Veeti Väisänen - D

Väisänen has a lot to prove at the U18’s this year, he is a guy who came into the year as a guy who could potentially see himself get first round consideration, but as the year progressed Väisänen saw himself slide down rankings as one question started to come up. “What can Väisänen be in the NHL?” Even though Väisänen spent the entire year playing in the Liiga, he still has major question marks to his talent level and potential. If he sees himself have a big tournament at both ends of the rink, he is a player that can absolutely shoot up draft rankings as a result.

Jonna Saarelainen - F

The 5’9” Saarelainen may not be a player many NHL teams will be interested in come draft time but he has been one of the best, and highest scoring players in this Finnish age group. Saarelainen is an excellent puck mover and can get the puck to teammates in the most difficult circumstances. He can help propel his linemates and set up shoot first players for excellent scoring opportunities. He should be a fun player to watch at this tournament.

Tuomas Suoniemi - F

Finland’s highest scoring player at the Hlinka Gretzky hopes to rebound here at the U18’s after a disappointing draft season. Suoniemi, who played the season in Espoo, for the teams U20 team only had 26 points in 29 games. Although Suoniemi has been seen as one of the top talents in his age group for Finland, it seems he may have stagnated in his growth. This tournament will provide an excellent opportunity to prove this narrative wrong.

Slovakia

Slovakia comes into the event with one of the weirdest rosters. While most teams are poised to be led by the 2006 age group - the Slovaks, after a weak 2006 born crop of players, are expected to see their best players come from their 2007 born age group. Up front, expect the offense to be led by Michal Svrcek, Tobias Tomik Jan Chovan and Tomas Popezal - all of which have impressed on the U18 national team at different points this season. Simon Nemec’s younger brother, Adam also made the roster this time around, too. On defense, expect Luka Radivojevic to lead the charge with fellow 2007 born Patryk Zubek and Samuel Kupec as names to keep an eye on as well. Overall, this is a really young roster - one that may not see a medal but one that is more developing and preparing for next season.

Top Players to Watch

Luka Radivojevic - D

Radivojevic comes into the tournament as one of the most promising Slovakian defenders in recent memory. He is a rare talent that played at the U20 WJC before the U18 World Championship. The 2007 born Radivojevic played the year in Sweden in Orebro’s program where he put up an impressive 33 points in 43 games in Sweden’s U20 league. He played so well in fact; he was able to get into six games in the SHL. One of only three U17 players to get that honor this season. Expect Radivojevic to be a big part of Slovakia's success at this tournament.

Michal Svrcek - F

Svrcek, another 2007 born has been one of Slovakia’s best players at the U18 level this season - putting up 19 points in 14 games throughout various tournaments for the age group. Svrcek plays his hockey in Sweden in Brynas’ program and has seen success in both the U18, and U20 leagues for the team this season. A promising talent for the 2025 NHL draft, expect Svrcek to be a focal point to this Slovakian offense.

Andreas Straka - F

Straka has seen quite the improvement over the course of the season and has put himself on the radars of NHL teams next season. The 6’1” centreman comes into this roster as an underage 2007 born talent, and one that has played incredibly well for the Slovakian U18 team in tournaments this year. He has even played a few games in both the first and second division Slovakian mens leagues. Straka is just another talented 2007 born player Slovakia has to offer.

Jan Chovan - F

The 6’2” Chovan came into the year with a good amount of hype and expectations around him - and although he didn’t reach those expectations, he is still a talent to look forward to watching at this event. The 2007 born Chovan has spent the past three seasons in Finland playing in Tappara’s development system, posting mixed results in the process. Chovan will provide scoring prowess for the Slovakian roster and will help contribute on the score sheet.

Tobias Tomik - F

Tomik is yet another 2007 born player that projects to be one of the roster’s best scorers. Tomik, unlike the rest of the roster has a December birthday, so he isn’t draft eligible until 2026. Tomik enjoyed a great season in Slovakia’s junior leagues but also got into a fair share of games against men this season, 23 in total. Tomik has a good history of producing as an underager for Slovakia and there are hopes he keeps up that trend here at the U18’s.

Tomas Pobezal - F

The 5’10” Pobezal is the lone 2006 born player on this list, and naturally he is a late birthday, so he isn’t draft eligible until next year in 2025, missing the cutoff date by three days. Pobezal has been a highly regarded prospect for quite some time, and while he hasn’t lived up to some early hype - he will still be a critical part to Slovakia’s offense at this tournament. Pobezal spent the entire season playing in Slovakia’s top mens league and although the results aren’t great, the experience against men should only help him in this tournament.

Latvia

Latvia is in a situation at the tournament where they have potential to provide an upset, but at the same time, a realistic expectation is that they’re going to be battling with Norway in which team gets to get pummeled in the semi-finals, while the other gets to play in relegation. Lucky for Latvia, on paper their roster has better depth than the Norwegians so the odds bode well for them. The big thing to look forward to from this Latvain roster is the trio of 2026 NHL draft prospects who look promising three years out from their draft, Karlis Flugins, Martins Klaucans and especially Olivers Murineks who is a kid that looks mature beyond his years even though he’s only 15 years old. On defense, you have Darels Uljanskis who looks to improve his draft stock at this event and a goalie who is looking to make his mark in Nils Roberts Maurins. Latvia may surprise some teams here in Finland.

Top Players to Watch

Olivers Murineks - F

Murineks projects to be one of the most promising Latvian talents to ever come out of the country. To make and project as a top-6 forward at this event for Latvia is a testament to that. As a 15-year-old he went nearly a point per game in Latvia’s top mens league, while also producing at a two point-per-game pace in Latvia’s second tier mens league - an incredible year for the very young centre. Murineks is a 2008 born that has the ability to take over games with his intelligence on the ice. He has a lot of work to do before his NHL draft date in 2026, but he is a kid I am personally exited to see play at the U18’s.

Darels Uljanskis - D

Uljanskis is the lone player on this Latvian roster ranked by NHL central scouting for the upcoming NHL draft, and rightfully so. The defender had a great year in Sweden’s U20 Junior league for AIK, putting up 29 points in 45 games. The 6’2” Uljanskis is going to log heavy minutes for this roster and will be a focal point on the team's offence and defence. He will run the first power play unit and be a very important puck mover for the nation. There will be a lot of pressure on Uljanskis at this event, as NHL teams will be watching him closely.

Nils Roberts Maurins - G

If Latvia wants to play upset at this tournament, they’re going to need a massive tournament out of their starting goaltender. That’s where Maurins comes into play. Maurins like Uljanskis, played the year in Sweden in their U20 junior league where he saw mixed results. The 6’4” goaltender has an outside chance at hearing his name called in the upcoming draft, NHL teams like big goaltenders after all. Although Maurins is rather raw, his measurables, paired with a massive showing for Latvia at this event could get one team to bite at some point in the upcoming draft.

Bruno Osmanis - F

Osmanis is probably the most promising player amount Latvia’s 2006 born crop of forwards if we’re talking about potential NHL draft selections. A December birthday, so not eligible until the 2025 NHL draft, Osmanis had a fantastic year in Sweden where he put up impressive totals in the U20 junior league and earned himself call ups to play for IF Björklöven’s mens team in the Allsvenskan for 15 games. Although only garnering one assist in those games, Osmanis definitely put himself on the radars of NHL teams with his performance this season.

Karlis Flugins - F

Flugins is a late 2007 birthday, and as such isn’t NHL draft eligible until 2026. Flugins like many of Latvia’s top talents decided to play his hockey in Sweden this past year for Oskarshamn. He was one of only a few imports to play in Sweden’s J20 league this season as a 2007 born player. Flugins is an extremely skilled forward that loves to challenge defenders one on one. He should be an extremely fun player to watch in this tournament for this Latvian squad.

Krists Retenais - D

One of only three returning players on this Latvian team from last year's U18 team, Retenais comes back this year as captain of this rendition of the Latvian squad. The 5’11” defender played for Riga’s hockey school this past year in Latvia’s top men's league, a team composed of some of the best young talent the country has to offer. Retenais was the highest scoring defender for this team and also served as the captain.

Norway

Norway is definitely the favourite to play for relegation in this group this year. They played in the relegation game last year but were able to fend off a weak German group to stay in the top division. The big game this year will be against the Latvians on April 29th, this will decide their fate in group A as whoever loses this game, likely plays for relegation. Up front, the team consists of returning players Elias Strame Vatne and Jorgen Nyhus Myhre who were two of Norway’s leading scorers at last year's event. Expect Mathias Dehli to also offer his contributions on offence, the centreman has Norway's best chance at getting drafted this yea,r so he hopes to improve his stock at this tournament. Niklas Aaram Olsen also looks to solidify his name as one to watch in 2026 also. The defensive core will live and die by how Ludvig Lafton plays also. There are pieces here to keep an eye on, but overall, this team will need a lot of luck to avoid the relegation game.

Top Players to Watch

Elias Straume Vatne - F

Unfortunately for Straume Vatne, he stands at only 5’8”. If he didn’t, he would undoubtedly be on NHL teams radars because he is one of the fastest and most skilled players Norway has ever produced. Norway’s highest scoring player from last year's tournament returns with similar expectations, to lead this squad offensively. Straume Vatne played in Farjestad, Sweden this past year in the teams U20 program and put up an impressive 32 points in 45 games. He is going to be Norway’s best player in this tournament and should generate most of Norway’s offense.

Mathias Dehli - F

The 6’2” Dehli has a big tournament ahead of him, he will undoubtedly be a focal point of Norway’s offense and he’s the most likely name to be called at the upcoming NHL draft out of anyone on this roster. Dehli spend his entire season playing alongside teammate Stian Solberg in Vålerenga, in Norway. The 18-year-old centerman enjoyed an impressive season, scoring eight points in 22 games in Norway’s top mens league. Dehli wants to have a great tournament here in Finland to continue his upward trajectory this season.

Ludvig Lafton - D

Norway’s lone returnee on the blueline is going to have to play insane minutes for this Norwegion team. Lafton is unequivocally the team's best defender as the blueline on this squad is unfortunately rather weak. Lafton is 6’2” and is best known for playing in his own zone, he can provide some offence and will likely run the first power play unit for this Norwegian team but that’s not the game he’s known for. Lafton has an outside chance at being drafted this year, and a strong showing at this event will bode well for that goal.

Niklas Aaram Olsen - F

Aaram Olsen is one of only four 2008 born players participating in this year’s U18 World Championship and Norway's line participant. Olsen is one of the most promising talents the nation has ever exported and after a very impressive season in Sweden for Orebro’s U18 team - Olsen has put himself on the map for NHL teams for 2026. The 6’0” Olsen doesn’t have to do much at this tournament for it to be a success for him, but if Norway wants to avoid relegation - Olsen will have to step up and show just why he is one to watch in 2026.

Mikkel Eriksen - F

After spending the first few months of the season in Sweden, posting impressive totals for Orebro’s U20 team - Eriksen went back to Norway to play in Vålerenga’s system, a program that is churning out the best of the nation's talent as of late. Eriksen should provide some very good secondary scoring for this Norwegian squad, and as a 2007 born center, isn’t eligible to be drafted until next season. He is definitely on the radar, of not only NHL, but also CHL teams and will be one of the more interesting underagers to watch at this tournament.

Jorgen Nyhus Myhre - F

Myhre is one of only four returning players on the Norwegian roster this season. Myhre, a late September 2006 birthday misses the 2024 NHL draft cutoff date by only seven days. Myhre is another kid that plays for Norway’s talent factor in Vålerenga and put up an eye popping 48 points in 31 games for the U20 team. Myhre projects to be an integral part to this team's top-6 this year.

Lukas Nikolaj Petterssen-Finckenhagen - F

One of the best names in the tournament, Pettersson-Finckenhagen provides size, and a net front presence for this Norwegian team. The 6’4” forward played the season in Sweden for Mora IK’s program and split the season between the U18, and U20 teams. At the U18 level, he enjoyed a goal-per-game statline after putting up 21 goals in 20 games. Because of his size and the power forward elements to his game, Petterssen-Finckenhagen could be a real interesting player to look forward to watching at this tournament and a kid that could put himself in NHL teams sightlines.

2024 NHL DRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON TOP 100 – Celebrini sits comfortably on top – Demidov and Parekh among risers in ranking – Strong defense group defines this draft class

Brock Otten — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:58:41 +0000

It’s time to update and expand our 2024 NHL Draft rankings. Since our preliminary ranking in December, we’ve passed some major events on the scouting calendar, like the World Juniors, CHL Top Prospect’s Game, World Junior A Challenge, and the USA Hockey All American Game.

Macklin Celebrini still sits comfortably at the top of our rankings. Not only has he continued to be a difference maker for Boston University, but he was also a solid contributor at the World Juniors for an underwhelming Canadian team, an impressive feat for a double underager. In our opinion, he is unquestionably the top prospect available this year and is the one player we view as a near surefire high impact player at the NHL level.

One player moving up our ranking inside the top ten is Ivan Demidov. While ice time issues have limited his impact at the KHL level, he has been an absolute monster at the MHL level and in a draft that we feel lacks high end upside, he stands out as a potential difference maker. One player falling inside of our top ten is Cole Eiserman. While the goal scoring ability is unquestionably impressive, we’ve been left wanting more from the rest of his game and feel that his development is showing signs of plateauing.

Saginaw defenseman Zayne Parekh is another big-time mover and shaker for us as he pushes his way inside the top ten. At this point, his production and offensive upside is too vast to ignore. Yes, there are questions regarding his defensive game. Yes, there are questions about how he fits into an NHL system given Saginaw’s unique modern approach. However, the skill and sense are so high end that we believe the reward outweighs the risk.

Other movers and shakers include Jett Luchanko (40th to 18th), Alfons Freij (32nd to 21st), Harrison Brunicke (HM to 25th), and Dom Badinka (58th to 28th). Luchanko is a speedy, playmaking pivot who brings consistent effort in all three zones. As he bulks up, he should be able to become a more consistent point producer. Freij has been terrific internationally this year for the Swedish U18 team and is starting to remind us of Tom Willander in regard to his steady presence on the ice at both ends. Brunicke is a very mobile, right-handed shot defender with size who remains a work in progress. He flashes high end skill and upside in the defensive end, and we believe that he is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. Dom Badinka has a similar profile to Freij in the sense that he has a very projectable frame and skill set. He has been steadily improving in the SHL this year with Malmo and the Czech blueliner projects as an all situations top four, right shot blueliner.

Overall, 2024 is still holding strong as a quality draft for defenders. In fact, 14 of our first round graded players are defenseman. On the other hand, the strength of this goaltending crop remains to be seen. OHL netminders Carter George and Ryerson Leenders remain our top ranked goalies and the only ones inside of our Top 70. There are others pushing up the list (like NTDP netminder Nick Kempf and WHL re-entry Lukas Matecha), but it’s not looking like the ideal year to use a high pick on a stopper.

In the coming weeks, expect to see a podcast on our new YT channel (here), where Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, Associate Director of Scouting, Derek Neumeier, and Director of Video Scouting, Josh Bell, debate the midseason list and provide some insight into why certain players are ranked where they are.

RK	Name	POS	TEAM	GP	G/GAA	A/SV%	TP	PIM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	25	22	19	41	10	6-0/190	13-Jun-06
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	52	14	39	53	24	6-3/195	7-Jun-06
3	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	23	20	25	45	16	5-11/170	10-Dec-05
4	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	57	3	8	11	8	6-7/210	11-Apr-06
5	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	32	27	19	46	66	6-4/215	3-Feb-06
6	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	49	38	44	82	37	5-11/170	14-Jan-06
7	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	30	8	20	28	40	6-2/200	28-Oct-05
8	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	40	12	19	31	6	5-11/180	11-May-06
9	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	37	38	22	60	28	6-0/195	29-Aug-06
10	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	49	25	49	74	40	6-0/180	15-Feb-06
11	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	48	24	29	53	95	6-3/190	29-Sep-05
12	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	48	35	28	63	25	6-0/185	1-Aug-06
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	46	28	41	69	25	6-2/200	1-Jan-06
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	34	17	31	48	40	6-1/160	28-Feb-06
15	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	26	7	27	34	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
16	Michael Brandsegg Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	32	6	7	13	14	6-1/195	5-Oct-05
17	Adam Jiříček	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	19	0	1	1	2	6-2/175	28-Jun-06
18	Jett Luchanko	C	Guelph (OHL)	50	17	37	54	32	5-11/185	21-Aug-06
19	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	22	0	7	7	26	6-2/170	22-Mar-06
20	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	37	21	23	44	35	6-1/190	14-Apr-06
21	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	33	11	15	26	12	6-1/190	12-Feb-06
22	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	35	7	4	11	0	6-1/200	27-Jun-06
23	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	34	13	18	31	16	6-0/175	3-Aug-06
24	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	41	27	18	45	42	6-2/180	17-Mar-06
25	Harrison Brunicke	D	Kamloops (WHL)	46	10	11	21	45	6-3/185	8-May-06
26	Andrew Basha	LW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	47	23	44	67	32	6-0/185	8-Nov-05
27	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	46	8	34	42	46	6-0/185	9-Mar-06
28	Dom Badinka	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	15	2	10	12	39	6-3/185	27-Nov-05
29	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	46	19	26	45	53	6-2/180	28-Jan-06
30	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	18	10	14	24	8	6-2/190	30-Nov-05
31	E.J. Emery	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	0	10	10	51	6-3/185	30-Mar-06
32	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	34	7	23	30	30	6-0/180	10-Apr-06
33	Dean Letourneau	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	14	14	11	25	6	6-7/210	21-Feb-06
34	Yegor Surin	C	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	37	19	27	46	104	6-1/190	1-Aug-06
35	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	38	15	17	32	18	6-5/200	24-Mar-06
36	Maxim Massé	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	51	26	26	52	16	6-2/190	7-Apr-06
37	Lucas Pettersson	C	MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)	36	20	23	43	38	5-11/170	17-Apr-06
38	Charlie Elick	D	Brandon (WHL)	51	4	19	23	47	6-3/200	17-Jan-06
39	Raoul Boilard	C	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	52	21	31	52	32	6-2/190	7-Jan-06
40	Matvei Gridin	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	41	20	30	50	28	6-1/185	1-Mar-06
41	Nikita Artamonov	LW	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	48	7	15	22	12	5-11/185	17-Nov-05
42	Jesse Pulkkinen	D	JYP (Fin-U20)	18	11	17	28	47	6-6/215	27-Dec-04
43	Leon Muggli	D	Zug (Sui-NL)	4	0	2	2	4	6-0/165	9-Jul-06
44	Teddy Stiga	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	41	24	25	49	26	5-10/155	5-Apr-06
45	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	7	1	1	2	0	5-10/165	25-Jan-06
46	Miguel Marques	RW	Lethbridge (WHL)	50	22	37	59	47	5-11/170	8-Mar-06
47	John Mustard	C	Waterloo (USHL)	39	22	18	40	22	6-0/185	16-Aug-06
48	Lukas Fischer	D	Sarnia (OHL)	52	4	22	26	50	6-4/180	6-Sep-06
49	Simon Zether	C	Rogle (Swe J20)	17	11	16	27	25	6-3/185	18-Oct-05
50	Luke Misa	C	Mississauga (OHL)	51	21	46	67	8	5-10/175	25-Nov-05
51	Sebastian Soini	D	Ilves (Fin-U20)	8	0	0	0	8	6-2/195	10-Jun-06
52	Carson Wetsch	RW	Calgary (WHL)	49	19	20	39	53	6-2/185	4-May-06
53	Terik Parascak	RW	Prince George (WHL)	52	31	42	73	37	5-11/180	28-May-06
54	Christian Humphreys	C	USN U18 (USDP)	35	15	25	40	14	5-11/170	4-Feb-06
55	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	11	26	37	44	5-10/160	28-Jun-06
56	Cole Beaudoin	C	Barrie (OHL)	48	23	25	48	23	6-2/200	24-Apr-06
57	Marek Vanacker	LW	Brantford (OHL)	51	27	34	61	41	6-0/165	12-Apr-06
58	Stian Solberg	D	Vålerenga (Nor)	34	3	9	12	12	6-2/200	29-Dec-06
59	Herman Traff	RW	HV71 (Swe J20)	22	11	7	18	69	6-3/195	31-Dec-05
60	Kamil Bednarik	C	USN U18 (USDP)	41	18	25	43	40	6-0/185	26-May-06
61	Tomáš Galvas	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	26	2	4	6	6	5-10/150	11-Feb-06
62	Carter George	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	41	3.09	0.914	-	-	6-0/160	20-May-06
63	Ryerson Leenders	G	Mississauga (OHL)	38	3.19	0.909	-	-	6-1/175	1-Jun-06
64	Tanner Howe	LW	Regina (WHL)	52	24	38	62	48	5-11/180	28-Nov-05
65	Colton Roberts	D	Vancouver (WHL)	50	7	17	24	45	6-4/195	8-Jun-06
66	Ben Danford	D	Oshawa (OHL)	51	1	30	31	21	6-0/175	6-Feb-06
67	Eriks Mateiko	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	40	19	19	38	18	6-4/210	18-Nov-05
68	Daniil Ustinkov	D	ZSC (Sui-NL)	18	0	1	1	0	6-0/200	26-Aug-06
69	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	40	2	7	9	12	6-0/175	15-Feb-06
70	Clarke Caswell	C	Swift Current (WHL)	51	16	37	53	14	5-11/170	2-Feb-06
71	Jakub Fibigr	D	Mississauga (OHL)	44	6	20	26	33	6-0/170	22-Jul-06
72	Ondrej Kos	LW	KOOVEE (Fin-Liiga)	14	3	2	5	8	6-1/150	7-Mar-06
73	Sam O'Reilly	RW	London (OHL)	52	15	30	45	24	6-1/175	30-Mar-06
74	Jack Berglund	C	Färjestad BK (Swe J20)	37	14	18	32	18	6-3/210	10-Apr-06
75	Linus Eriksson	C	Djurgardens IF (Swe J20)	24	5	16	21	8	6-0/185	23-Mar-06
76	Tarin Smith	D	Everett (WHL)	54	7	30	37	45	6-1/175	24-Mar-06
77	Nick Kempf	G	USN U18 (USDP)	22	3.02	0.901			6-2/190	1-Mar-06
78	Melvin Fernstrom	RW	Örebro HK (Swe J20)	38	26	28	54	26	6-1/185	28-Feb-06
79	Alexander Zetterberg	C	Örebro HK J20	35	19	27	46	10	5-9/160	27-Apr-06
80	Spencer Gill	D	Rimouski (QMJHL)	50	9	23	32	50	6-3/180	17-Aug-06
81	Kevin He	LW	Niagara (OHL)	51	26	18	44	47	5-11/185	30-Apr-06
82	Aatos Koivu	C	TPS (Fin-U20)	23	15	14	29	28	6-0/165	22-Jun-06
83	Will Skahan	D	USN U18 (USDP)	40	2	7	9	63	6-4/210	14-May-06
84	Justin Poirier	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	52	40	20	60	58	5-8/185	4-Sep-06
85	Maxmilian Curran	C	Tri-City (WHL)	40	5	27	32	25	6-3/190	27-Aug-06
86	Tory Pitner	D	Youngstown (USHL)	33	7	14	21	34	6-1/185	6-Mar-06
87	Lukas Matecha	G	Tri-City (WHL)	29	3.14	0.910			6-3/195	21-Mar-05
88	Brodie Ziemer	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	41	20	22	42	14	5-10/190	22-Feb-06
89	Niilopekka Muhonen	D	KalPa (Fin U20)	25	4	6	10		6-4/185	28-Feb-06
90	Anthony Romani	D	North Bay (OHL)	51	44	40	84	16	6-0/180	12-Jul-05
91	Julius Miettinen	RW	Everett (WHL)	53	22	24	46	30	6-3/205	20-Jan-06
92	Luca Marrelli	D	Oshawa (OHL)	50	2	38	40	14	6-1/185	4-Oct-05
93	Filip Sitar	C	Malmo (Swe J20)	33	12	31	43	10	5-11/175	29-Jun-05
94	Noel Fransen	D	Färjestad BK (Swe J20)	36	17	21	38	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
95	William Zellers	LW	Shattuck St. Marys (USHS-Prep)	43	41	43	84	20	5-10/165	4-Apr-06
96	Gabriel Eliasson	D	HV71 J20	27	0	3	3	81	6-6/205	9-Sep-06
97	Kim Saarinen	G	HPK (Fin-U20)	22	2.34	0.918			6-4/180	22-Jul-06
98	Max Vilen	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	39	1	12	13	8	6-2/200	29-Jun-06
99	Gabriel Frasca	C	Kingston (OHL)	26	9	9	18	10	6-0/170	18-Feb-06
100	Harrison Meneghin	G	Lethbridge (WHL)	41	2.46	0.922			6-3/165	13-Sep-06
HM	Tanner Adams	RW	Providence (NCAA)	27	5	12	17	2	5-11/185	2-Sep
HM	Alexandre Blais	C	Rimouski (QMJHL)	53	18	48	66	30	5-10/155	14-Nov-05
HM	Viggo Gustavsson	D	HV71 (Swe J20)	33	1	10	11	38	6-2/195	11-Sep-06
HM	Andrei Krutov	LW	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	35	15	24	39	10	5-11/175	25-Apr-06
HM	Darels Uljanskis	D	AIK (Swe J20)	35	7	16	23	14	6-1/185	25-Aug-06
HM	Pavel Moysevich	G	SKA St. Petersburg (VHL)	19	2.31	0.927			6-5/175	29-Sep-04
HM	Ondrej Becher	C	Prince George (WHL)	42	19	40	59	32	6-1/175	22-Feb-04
HM	Veit Oswald	RW	EHC Munchen (DEL)	32	8	4	12	0	6-1/165	31-Aug-04
HM	Nathan Villeneuve	C	Sudbury (OHL)	47	18	21	39	52	6-0/185	13-Apr-06
HM	Petr Sikora	C	HC Ocelari Trinec (Cze U20)	27	12	21	33	26	5-11/170	2-Jan-06
HM	Oskar Vuollet	C	Skelleftea AIK (Swe J20)	32	17	24	41	6	5-10/170	3-Dec-05
HM	Kenta Isogai	F	Wenatchee (WHL)	49	25	48	73	22	5-11/155	28-Aug-04
HM	Marcus Kearsey	D	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	51	5	32	37	14	5-11/170	17-03-06
HM	Nate Misskey	D	Victoria (WHL	40	6	26	32	52	6-3/210	1-Dec-05
HM	Thomas Desruisseaux	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	52	10	34	44	16	5-11/160	10-Mar-06
HM	Jonathan Morello	C	St. Michaels (OJHL)	44	23	27	50	20	6-1/175	31-Jul-06
HM	Kieron Walton	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	47	15	19	34	12	6-5/205	22-Apr-06
HM	Adam Kleber	D	Lincoln (USHL)	33	5	13	18	20	6-5/205	24-Mar-06
HM	Riley Patterson	C	Barrie (OHL)	49	18	27	45	4	6-0/175	22-Mar-06
HM	Eemil Vinni	G	JoKP (Fin-Liiga)	27	2.5	0.9	-	-	6-2/285	18-Dec-06

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Top Draft Eligibles at the 2024 World Junior Championship

Josh Bell — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 14:16:50 +0000

Macklin Celebrini of Canada during the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Finland and Canada on December 26, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN

The IIHF World Junior Championship is typically a tournament where 19-year-olds dominate. And yet annually, fans are delighted by standout performances by some of the younger players in the event.

It was just last year that Connor Bedard, the eventual first-overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, took over the event. He put up a Canadian and U18-record 23 points and became the youngest player ever to be named MVP, helping Canada win a gold medal.

In this year’s edition of the event, fans will be graced with the play of another future first-overall pick in Canada’s Macklin Celebrini. The centerman is the top-ranked prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft and should prove why in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Along with Celebrini, several other exciting prospects are eligible in 2024 who will be battling for World Juniors supremacy over the holidays. There’s also one prospect eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft that will command attention as well.

Here are some of the top draft-eligible prospects donning their country’s jerseys at the 2024 World Juniors (alphabetical by last name).

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard - Team Norway

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard has the potential to become the first Norwegian drafted in the first round. The power forward will unquestionably be Norway’s top player in their first World Juniors since 2014. He should fit on the top line and will be leaned on heavily for offense. Brandsegg-Nygard plays a physical game but brings high-end skill and a motor that never quits. He plays a very mature game, especially already having spent time in the pros last season and now this season.

Zeev Buium - Team USA

Zeev Buium has been having a historic season in the NCAA this season, en route to potentially the best performance from a U19 defender in history. Based on how camp has been looking, it looks like he may slot into the top four. The probable first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft is a highly intelligent player with excellent edgework and improving physicality. He could be a key piece of the backend for Team USA as they hunt for the gold medal.

Macklin Celebrini - Team Canada

For the second year in a row, Team Canada will be heavily dependent on the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. Macklin Celebrini shouldn’t be expected to bring Connor Bedard-level offense, but he could very well be the offensive leader and MVP on this team. Celebrini will bring much-needed speed, strength, and skill to this Canadian roster. He should be a fixture in the top six and will need to have a strong tournament if Canada is to three-peat.

Tomas Galvas - Team Czechia

While draft stock doesn’t tend to move much from events like this (at least it shouldn’t), it will likely put Tomas Galvas on the map for those who don’t know him. Playing in the top men's league in Czechia, he’s carved out a role in the top four for himself - likely where he slots in at the World Juniors. He’s a strong skater, a great distributor, and defends very well. He’s likely a top-100 draft pick in June.

Konsta Helenius - Team Finland

One of the most impressive draft-eligibles this season, Konsta Helenius will look to carry his success in the Liiga to the international stage this year. The potential top-five pick is currently putting together one of the best U18 seasons that the Liiga has ever seen (eighth all-time in points per game). Now, he should be factoring in as Finland’s No. 1 centerman, bringing his excellent two-way presence, high hockey IQ, and competitive nature to the ice.

Emil Hemming - Team Finland

Sticking with another Finnish player (one of four on this list), Emil Hemming has also made the jump to the Liiga this season, looking more and more comfortable as the season rolls on. He always plays at 100%, giving his all, shift in and shift out. He can produce offensively or help out in his own end. A potential first-rounder in the 2024 NHL Draft, Hemming should factor in as a middle-six winger.

Adam Jiricek - Team Czechia

After helping Team Czechia to a silver medal at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Adam Jiricek is back on the international stage. It has not been an easy season for him thus far, as he hasn’t really taken the step forward that was hoped of him. We’ve seen it in the past though, where a strong World Juniors performance can turn a season around, so perhaps that's what we’ll see from Jiricek. A potential first-rounder, Jiricek should be a top-four defender with Galvas. He brings physicality and strong vision to the backend.

Leon Muggli - Team Switzerland

Another lesser-known prospect so far, Leon Muggli has spent his season in the top Swiss men’s league. The defender has nine points in 25 games, putting him tied for fifth all-time in the league for a U18 defender, already ahead of a well-known Swiss defender - Roman Josi (eight points in 35 games). He plays an intelligent game at both ends of the ice. He should be a top-four d-man for the Swiss and at this point, looks like a top-50 prospect in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Jesse Pulkkinen - Team Finland

Yet another Finn, Jesse Pulkkinen is the oldest player on this list - an overager eligible for this year’s draft. He was passed over in 2023 but doesn’t look like he’ll be letting that happen again this season. Pulkkinen is a hulking 6-foot-6 defender who has recently made the jump to the Liiga and looks to stay. He could steal a top-four spot in the lineup, and right now looks like the top-overager available in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Daniil Ustinkov - Team Switzerland

Another Swiss defender of note heading into the World Juniors, Daniil Ustinkov matches Muggli in that he plays above his age. He’s also playing in the top Swiss league, albeit with more limited minutes than Muggle. However, Ustinkov looks like he has a higher skill and offensive ceiling, and that should be on full display over the next two weeks. The defenseman looks like another top-64 player and could crack the first round by June.

Veeti Vaisanen - Team Finland

The final 2024-eligible on this list, Veeti Vaisanen has come out of the gate and impressed this season. The Finnish defender has bounced between the U20 SM-sarja and the Liiga but played sheltered minutes with the men’s team. He’s a strong skater who brings a level of creativity to his game and plays very well in his own end. A potential first-rounder, he could carve out a middle-pairing spot for himself.

Luka Radivojevic - Team Slovakia (2025 eligible)

The lone 2025-eligible prospect in the entire event, Luka Radivojevic impressed this summer for Team Slovakia at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with five assists through four games. He’s an excellent skater with great offensive awareness and does well in his own end. He’s stood out in the J20 Nationell this season, twice getting the call-up to the SHL. The 16-year-old defender would likely take a bottom-pairing role but could move up as the tournament rolls on.

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS – December 2023 – Top 32 – Macklin Celebrini leads the pack early by a wide margin

Brock Otten — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:40:04 +0000

NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 1: NCAA men's hockey at Lawler Rink on December 1, 2023 in North Andover, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon)

It’s time for a ranking update at McKeen’s Hockey as we approach the end of the calendar year. Hopefully you’ve all been following along with our early regional favourites series, where our regional scouts have been providing detailed breakdowns of some of their favourites for the 2024 Draft.

This article shows our top 32 and is available to everyone. For subscribers, we are providing our Top 64 with a few honorable mentions. Then in the new year, we will expand to a Top 100.

The top player on our list is Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini. One of the highest scoring players in the NCAA this year as a freshman, Celebrini has met the ultra-high expectations placed on him heading into the year. He is, in our opinion, a slam dunk to be the first player selected this year. Recently named to the Canadian World Junior camp roster, hopefully Celebrini can earn a roster spot and have a strong performance for Canada as a focal point of the team’s offensive attack.

Sam Dickinson of the London Knights. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

After Celebrini is where things get…murky. We see a group of seven players in competition for that second spot; Sam Dickinson, Cayden Lindstrom, Konsta Helenius, Cole Eiserman, Anton Silayev, Ivan Demidov, and Artyom Levshunov. How those seven players are ranked was heavily debated amongst our scouts. There truly wasn’t much of a consensus among our staff and we know that NHL scouts are having a similar debate at this current time. An argument could be made for any of these seven to be ranked second. Conversely an argument could be made for any of these seven to be ranked eighth. Hopefully a few of these players can truly separate themselves from the pack in the second half. In particular, we’re looking to see if the three defenders, Dickinson, Silayev, and Levshunov, can clean up some of their poor decisions with the puck.

Rounding out the top ten are forwards Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs) and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (Mora). Catton is a dynamic play creator who has a chance to jump into that second tier grouping if he can find a way to become a more consistent off puck player. While Brandsegg-Nygard is a winger who plays a game that should translate easily to the pro level in North America. He competes hard. He skates well. It’s just a matter of whether you feel that he has the offensive upside and skill to be a top six player. At this point, considering our high ranking of him, we do believe he possesses that upside.

Of the remaining 22 players currently in our first round, 11 are defenders. While we aren’t enamored with this draft crop (overall), we do really like the upside of this blueline crop. The question is, can the likes of Adam Jiricek and Aron Kiviharju hang on to a spot in our first round because there is no question that they have underperformed compared to their expectations thus far.

But what about the goalies? This is everyone’s favourite question. At this point, we don’t see any netminders worthy of first round consideration. But we did rank OHL goalies Carter George and Ryerson Leenders at the back of our Top 64. George has been the more consistent performer thanks to his excellent play reading ability and mature approach. This was on display at last summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky too, when he stole the starter’s job from Gabriel D’Aigle. Meanwhile, Leenders is unquestionably the better athlete and a netminder with a penchant for making the highlight reel save thanks to his quickness. He just doesn’t have as refined of a technical approach.

The List:

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	6-0/190	13-Jun-06	15-10-15-25
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	6-3/205	7-Jun-06	27-6-14-20
3	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-3/210	3-Feb-06	27-22-16-38
4	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/180	11-May-06	26-8-11-19
5	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	29-Aug-06	21-25-16-41
6	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	6-7/210	11-Apr-06	38-3-7-10
7	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	5-11/180	10-Dec-05	7-2-5-7
8	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	6-2/205	28-Oct-05	16-4-11-15
9	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/170	14-Jan-06	25-16-20-36
10	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	6-1/195	5-Oct-05	21-2-4-6
11	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-0/175	3-Aug-06	30-12-16-28
12	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Sep-05	26-12-16-28
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	6-2/210	1-Jan-06	23-17-18-35
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/160	28-Feb-06	20-8-18-26
15	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	6-0/185	1-Aug-06	27-20-11-31
16	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	6-0/185	7-Dec-05	16-5-16-21
17	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	25-10-26-36
18	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	6-3/195	22-Mar-06	8-0-2-2
19	Adam Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	6-2/175	28-Jun-06	19-0-1-1
20	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-9/170	25-Jan-06	7-1-1-2
21	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-1/200	27-Jun-06	24-5-2-7
22	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-2/190	30-Nov-05	15-6-6-12
23	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	5-11/175	10-Apr-06	27-5-20-25
24	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/180	28-Jan-06	21-7-13-20
25	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	6-0/190	14-Apr-06	20-7-13-20
26	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	9-Mar-06	22-3-19-22
27	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	28-Jun-06	22-6-15-21
28	Maxim Masse	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-2/190	7-Apr-06	30-13-16-29
29	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	6-5/200	24-Mar-06	19-8-10-18
30	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-2/180	17-Mar-06	22-13-8-21
31	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	23-1-4-5
32	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	6-0/185	12-Feb-06	27-8-12-20

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS – December 2023 – Top 64 plus Honourable Mentions – Macklin Celebrini leads the pack early by a wide margin

Brock Otten — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:30:02 +0000

NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 1: NCAA men's hockey at Lawler Rink on December 1, 2023 in North Andover, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon)

For this update, we are providing our Top 64 with a few honorable mentions. Then in the new year, we will expand to a Top 100.

Sam Dickinson of the London Knights. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

The List:

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	6-0/190	13-Jun-06	15-10-15-25
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	6-3/205	7-Jun-06	27-6-14-20
3	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-3/210	3-Feb-06	27-22-16-38
4	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/180	11-May-06	26-8-11-19
5	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	29-Aug-06	21-25-16-41
6	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	6-7/210	11-Apr-06	38-3-7-10
7	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	5-11/180	10-Dec-05	7-2-5-7
8	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	6-2/205	28-Oct-05	16-4-11-15
9	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/170	14-Jan-06	25-16-20-36
10	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	6-1/195	5-Oct-05	21-2-4-6
11	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-0/175	3-Aug-06	30-12-16-28
12	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Sep-05	26-12-16-28
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	6-2/210	1-Jan-06	23-17-18-35
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/160	28-Feb-06	20-8-18-26
15	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	6-0/185	1-Aug-06	27-20-11-31
16	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	6-0/185	7-Dec-05	16-5-16-21
17	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	25-10-26-36
18	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	6-3/195	22-Mar-06	8-0-2-2
19	Adam Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	6-2/175	28-Jun-06	19-0-1-1
20	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-9/170	25-Jan-06	7-1-1-2
21	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-1/200	27-Jun-06	24-5-2-7
22	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-2/190	30-Nov-05	15-6-6-12
23	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	5-11/175	10-Apr-06	27-5-20-25
24	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/180	28-Jan-06	21-7-13-20
25	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	6-0/190	14-Apr-06	20-7-13-20
26	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	9-Mar-06	22-3-19-22
27	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	28-Jun-06	22-6-15-21
28	Maxim Masse	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-2/190	7-Apr-06	30-13-16-29
29	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	6-5/200	24-Mar-06	19-8-10-18
30	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-2/180	17-Mar-06	22-13-8-21
31	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	23-1-4-5
32	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	6-0/185	12-Feb-06	27-8-12-20
33	EJ Emery	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/185	30-Mar-06	22-0-5-5
34	Tanner Howe	LW	Regina (WHL)	5-10/180	28-Nov-05	28-16-17-33
35	Nikita Artamonov	LW	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	5-11/185	17-Nov-05	29-4-10-14
36	Lukas Fischer	D	Sarnia (OHL)	6-2/180	6-Sep-06	27-2-9-11
37	Luke Misa	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-10/175	25-Nov-05	25-11-26-37
38	Matvei Gridin	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	6-1/185	1-Mar-06	22-13-12-25
39	Will Skahan	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-4/210	14-May-06	22-1-4-5
40	Jett Luchanko	C	Guelph (OHL)	5-11/185	21-Aug-06	27-10-16-26
41	Simon Zether	C	Rogle (Swe J20)	6-3/185	18-Oct-05	17-11-16-27
42	Dean Letourneau	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	6-6/210	21-Feb-06	28-32-31-63
43	Andrew Basha	LW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-11/185	8-Nov-05	27-13-22-35
44	Christian Humphreys	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/170	4-Feb-06	22-10-20-30
45	Daniil Ustinkov	D	ZSC (Sui-NL)	6-0/195	26-Aug-06	15-0-1-1
46	Yegor Surin	C	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	5-10/175	1-Aug-06	21-11-14-25
47	Leon Muggli	D	Zug (Sui-NL)	6-0/165	9-Jul-06	24-2-4-6
48	Sebastian Soini	D	KOOVEE (Fin-Mestis)	6-2/180	10-Jun-06	15-0-4-4
49	Lucas Pettersson	C	MoDo Hockey(Swe J20)	5-11/170	17-Apr-06	26-13-13-26
50	Cole Beaudoin	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-2/200	24-Apr-06	24-10-8-18
51	Jakub Fibigr	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-0/170	22-Jul-06	25-4-12-16
52	Justin Poirier	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	5-7/185	4-Sep-06	30-23-10-33
53	Kamil Bednarik	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/185	26-May-06	22-13-14-27
54	Niilopekka Muhonen	D	KalPa (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	28-Feb-06	19-1-5-6
55	Hagen Burrows	RW	Minnetonka (USHS-MN)	6-1/175	13-Oct-05	4-3-8-11
56	Teddy Stiga	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-9/155	5-Apr-06	22-16-12-28
57	Melvin Fernstrom	RW	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-0/185	28-Feb-06	29-18-16-34
58	Dominik Badinka	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	6-3/185	27-Nov-05	15-2-10-12
59	Charlie Elick	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-3/200	17-Jan-06	29-3-10-13
60	Terik Parascak	RW	Prince George (WHL)	5-11/175	28-May-06	28-22-21-43
61	Tuomas Suoniemi	C	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)	5-10/160	16-Apr-06	20-3-11-14
62	Raoul Boilard	C	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-1/185	7-Jan-06	30-12-17-29
63	Carter George	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-1/190	20-May-06	9-8-2, 3.03, .902
64	Ryerson Leenders	G	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/175	1-Jun-06	11-7-0, 3.03, .913
HM	Anthony Cristoforo	D	Windsor (OHL)	5-11/190	23-Feb-06	25-1-13-14
HM	Colton Roberts	D	Vancouver (WHL)	6-4/195	8-Jun-06	28-5-11-16
HM	Carson Wetsch	RW	Calgary (WHL)	6-0/185	4-May-06	26-9-9-18
HM	William Zellers	LW	Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN)	5-10/165	4-Apr-06	25-24-24-48
HM	Aidan Park	C	Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN)	6-1/185	6-Jan-06	25-15-27-42
HM	Noel Fransen	D	Farjestads (Swe J20)	6-0/180	7-Dec-05	30-15-15-30
HM	Oskar Vuollet	C	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	5-10/170	3-Dec-05	22-12-16-28
HM	Max Plante	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/170	20-Feb-06	12-4-13-17
HM	Tomas Galvas	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	5-10/150	11-Feb-06	17-1-2-3

2024 NHL DRAFT: EARLY SEASON FAVOURITES – European Video Scout – Veeti Väisänen, Sebastian Soini, Dominik Badinka, Ondrej Kos

Steven Graves — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 21:51:19 +0000

231012 Malmö Redhawks Dominik Badinka under ishockeymatchen i SHL mellan Malmö Redhawks och Leksand den 12 oktober 2023 i Malmö.
Foto: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN / kod PA / PA0668

Time for another series at McKeen’s from our scouting staff. The 2024 NHL Draft season is well under way and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Analyzing early season play can be difficult; perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways and that’s what this series intends to highlight.

Steven Graves - European Video Scout

Veeti Väisänen - Defence - KooKoo

6’0, 164lbs - 2006-02-15

Coming into the season, I was quite down on Vaisanen as a player. He played for Finland at the U18s as an underage player in April and looked downright bad. He consistently appeared overwhelmed and was forcing plays. Unfortunately, although he was poised to make the team, as Finland’s #1 defender since Aron Kiviharju was practicing with the U20 team, Vaisanen got injured and missed the summer Hlinka/Gretzky Cup.

However, Väisänen started the season in the Liiga and has played well early on. He has been taking a consistent shift for KooKoo and hasn’t looked out of place. He is averaging just over 10 minutes of ice time per game, and although at times his youth shows, you can see just how comfortable he is getting game in and out. His adjustment to playing against men has been smooth and I wouldn’t at all be surprised if he pushes for a spot on the Finnish World Junior team in December.

With Väisänen, one of the first things you’ll notice about him is just how good of a skater he is. He possesses great speed, agility, and edgework, allowing him to navigate the ice with ease. His smooth stride and balance make him a dangerous defender, both in transitioning the puck from defense to offense and in covering opposing players. His skating allows him to get out of a jam, and dictate the tempo of the game as he sees fit. You will regularly see Väisänen activate from the blueline using his skating to great effect in the offensive zone, catching defenders' flat-footed. He also isn’t afraid to use his skating to transport the puck up the ice and is naturally quite an effective player in the transitional game because of it.

Väisänen also stands out with his defensive game, as he sees the ice really well and is very good at anticipating the movements of the opposition. He reads the play very well and it enables him to anticipate and intercept passes, disrupt offensive rushes, and create turnovers. Väisänen is quite responsible in his own end using his strong positioning and active stick to break-up plays, however he needs to bulk up if he wants to start winning more 50/50 puck battles and be able to clear the crease more effectively. We should see this through time but with how good of a foundation Väisänen has to build off of, we should only begin to see him become more dominant in the defensive zone as he gains weight.

That brings me to just how versatile of a player Väisänen can be once he matures. His skating, IQ, and defensive prowess allow him to play the game in all situations. He can man the powerplay because of how good he is at transporting the puck and finding open teammates from the blue line. Additionally, he can anchor a penalty kill because of how smart of a defensive player he is. This is a potential minute eater.

Although we have yet to see just how Väisänen’s offensive game has improved over last season because of how he’s being deployed in the Liiga, the very fact that he has been playing in the best league in Finland is a testament to how mature of a game he already plays at 17. I really hope we get to see him play in the upcoming WJC.

Bring on the Videos!

I really like this play from Väisänen, it’s a simple puck retrieval that allows his team to transition from defense to offense. Väisänen does a great job shielding the defender and it gives his team an easy zone entry as a result.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VaisanenClip1.mp4

Here is Väisänen’s lone Liiga goal up to this point in time. You can see how he takes advantage of how much space his opponents are giving him and makes them pay with a laser from the point. Fantastic shot and execution here.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VaisanenClip2.mp4

This is Väisänen showcasing his potential as a defender who is able to activate during transition to gain the zone or create a scoring chance on the rush. He hasn’t learned to do this with consistency in the Liiga yet, but this is the potential he does have as a puck carrier.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VaisanenClip3.mp4

This is a great heads-up play by Väisänen off the puck drop. After his team loses the faceoff in the offensive zone, Väisänen makes a great defensive read. He quickly closes out on the forward and breaks up the pass. These types of heady plays are becoming more of a regular occurrence as he continues to get comfortable playing against men.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VaisanenClip4.mp4

Sebastian Soini - Defence - Ilves

6’2, 181lbs - 2006-06-10

Soini has sort of flown under the radar among prospects eligible for the 2024 NHL draft. He didn’t make the Finnish Hlinka team in the summer even though Soini has been thought of as one of the top Finnish players among his age group for a while. Although he has gotten into a few Liiga games early in the season for Ilves, he has spent a good majority of his season thus far in the second-tier men's league in Finland where he plays in the Mestis for Koovee.

Soini stands out in a multitude of aspects, however, the one I’m most impressed with on a consistent basis is how poised he is in the defensive zone. Soini is a standout in his own end - he uses his size and reach to his advantage, effectively breaking up plays with both his stick and his body. He is a reliable shot blocker and excels in one-on-one situations against opposing forwards. His positioning and awareness in the defensive zone are very good for a player his senior.

Although Soini isn’t the most flashy skater, his skating ability is effective and best suited for his playing style as a more defensive defender. Of note, his balance and agility are two of his greatest strengths and that allows him to pivot quickly, maintain good gaps against opposing forwards, and make effective lateral movements to suppress and cut off shooting lanes. Soini is also quite strong on his edges, enabling him to maintain balance in physical battles and when battling for pucks along the boards.

Although his offensive game isn’t the most refined, one thing that stands out in it is his ability to make an effective first pass. Soini can make crisp, tape-to-tape passes to start breakouts effectively. His precision and decision-making with the puck help his teams quickly transition from defense to offense.

So, while Soini may have flown under the radar in the lead-up to the 2024 NHL draft, his performance and potential should not be underestimated. Soini's ability to make precise first passes and facilitate quick breakouts highlights his value as a player who contributes to the transition from defense to offense. While his offensive game may not be as refined as some, his defensive capabilities make him a prospect worth keeping an eye on as he continues to develop and refine his skills.

Bring on the Videos!

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SoiniClip1.mp4

Here is Soini pouncing on a loose puck, shielding the defender behind him so he can retrieve the puck and get his team started the other way. Soini is very good at puck retrievals like this and is an aspect of his game I have become quite impressed with.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SoiniClip2.mp4

Again, another impressive puck retrieval and first pass by Soini - he gets into the corner after his teammate freed the puck along the boards, used his body positioning to grab the puck, and skated it behind the net and up ice to start the breakout.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SoiniClip3.mp4

I know.., another puck retrieval clip but this one shows off his skating ability. When given open ice, his opponents were barely able to change before Soini brought it back ice - I just love how seamless he can be at transitioning from defense to offense

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SoiniClip4.mp4

This clip showcases his offensive potential. Soini gets the puck at the blue line and has the opposition think he was going to shoot, only to make a quick pass over to his teammate Emil Jarventie for a much better shooting angle. I love how he is showcasing his ability to be deceptive from the blue line here.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SoiniClip5.mp4

This is Soini’s first-ever Liiga point, as he attacks down low with the puck after his forward had stopped at the line after a zone entry. Soini then does a couple of pivots to throw off the defender only to pass it back to the forward who walks in and snipes it on the net. Just a clean play for his first point in the Liiga.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SoiniClip6.mp4

Last one - here Soini does a great job maintaining his gap and keeping his stick in the shooting lane of the forward. Just an excellent defensive read and play.

Dominik Badinka - Defence - Malmö Redhawks

6’3, 183lbs - 2005-11-27

I was a little surprised to see Badinka move from Finland to Sweden for his draft season. Likely he was hoping he’d play more games in the SHL than he would in the Liiga had he stayed in Jokerit’s developmental system. Early on in Sweden, Badinka hasn’t looked out of place. He has been one of the highest-scoring defenders in the J20 league in Sweden and has even seen a couple of games up with Malmo in the SHL where he looked good.. The Czech-born defender has definitely impressed me early on in his draft season.

Badinka is a very intelligent defender. He has an advanced understanding of the game that when combined with his decision-making allows Badinka to excel in various aspects of the game. One of these aspects is how he anticipates plays - he positions himself well to block passing lanes in the defensive end where he sees fit. He is able to jump into the rush and act as a 4th forward while at the same time being in position to stop a rush going the other way. His head is always on a swivel and he is always thinking ahead in the game.

Because of his size at 6’3, he can have a positive impact on the game physically. He is excellent in board battles, especially at the J20 level, where he is outright dominant. He just knows how to position his stick and body to have an advantage in physical battles. He never hesitates to engage in battles in front of the net either - he is a physical presence in front of his crease and Badinka uses his body quite effectively to clear the slot. He can over-commit to being physical at times, however, and I have seen it lead to odd man rushes. While it’s a notable component to Badinka’s game, he could learn how to reel it in every once and a while and pick his spots better.

The last thing I’d like to zero in on with Bainka is how well he moves up and down the ice. He is a very mobile defender who is able to use his four-way mobility to great effect on both ends of the ice. Although Badinka seldom activates from his spot at the blue line, when he does he is able to use his skating in a deceptive way by arching his body one way, making the defense think that he is going one way only to make a quick cut around the defender for a better scoring opportunity. As previously stated, he doesn’t do this often but when he does, it is almost poetic and I hope to see more of this in his game moving forward.

Badinka's journey from Finland to Sweden has unveiled a promising and versatile talent on the ice. His intelligence, physicality, and mobility make him an exciting prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft... With his unique skill set and adaptability, Badinka should see himself called early. I think he has the makings of being called in the first round.

Bring on the Videos!

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BadinkaClip1.mp4

This is a great video of Badinka that showcases his puck retrieval skills and his ability to transport the puck for zone entries, fighting through numerous defenders to do so.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BadinkaClip2.mp4

Here is Badinka doing a fantastic job at closing out on a forward who just received an outlet pass, then being physical and pinning him along the boards to stop the forward in his tracks.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BadinkaClip3.mp4

This is by far my favourite Badinka clip and it is easy to see why. He gets the puck at the blueline, does a few head fakes while stick handling and it was enough to make the defender lose balance and fall down and retreat in embarrassment. He plays the puck to his teammate who gets it back to Badinka who throws the puck on the net through multiple defenders, creating a rebound opportunity which his teammate capitalizes on. Beautiful assist.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BadinkaClip4.mp4

Heads up play by Badinka here - he gets the puck in the neutral zone, sees that the other team is in the middle of a line change so he takes advantage of it by coming down on the goalie and slipping it through his legs. A great showcase of his skating ability is in this clip.

Ondrej Kos - Wing - Koovee

6’1, 148lbs - 2006-03-07

Kos is a kid who really got on my radar at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he and team Czechia pulled off an impressive performance. Kos, although Czech-born, has played the past two seasons in Finland for Ilves’ development system. This season he has played the majority of it on loan to Koovee in the Mestis (Finland’s second-tier men's league) where alongside one of my fellow early season favorites Sebastian Soini - Kos has impressed early on with his offensive skillset.

My favorite element of Kos’ game is how hard he competes game in and game out. He never takes a shift off and always has his feet moving. Kos lives off of applying pressure on both the forecheck and the backcheck and is relentless when chasing a puck carrier. He often causes defenders to struggle at puck retrievals because of the pressure he is applying to them. Kos has an unwavering determination to win puck battles in both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice. It is worth mentioning that he isn’t as effective as he could be at the moment given his slight stature, but you can’t teach a player to have as good of a motor as Kos has.

To pair with Kos’ compete level, he is also a great skater. Kos is able to get down the ice in a hurry, possessing a great first step and also very good top-end speed. He is often able to outpace his opponents and is extremely dangerous in the transition game as a result, often leading rushes and being the puck carrier on his line even though he is oftentimes the youngest player on the line. One thing I consistently notice about Kos is that he is difficult to knock off the puck, as he has excellent balance and core strength to be able to maintain puck possession in some of the circumstances he gets put in. One can only imagine how much better he’ll get as he puts on some weight.

Unfortunately for Kos, although I love how he plays the game, I believe his upside may be a bit limited at the next level. He doesn’t change the pace of the game enough and nor does he create offense at a consistent enough level for himself for me to see anything more than a middle six penalty killer at the next level. I’d need to see more offensive production, and smarter offensive plays to think his ceiling is anything more than that. Improving his vision is going to be imperative in relation to his development.

For the remainder of the season, I’ll be fascinated to see if Kos can improve upon his offensive consistency in the Mestis and maybe even see some games at the WJC in December and possibly even in the Liiga. Either way, he’s been great to start the season and a player I’ve come away thoroughly impressed with.

Bring on the Videos!

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SGKosClip1.mp4

This is a great representation of Kos’ game. In this clip, you can see him constantly changing his position and angle of attack to help his team on the power play and confuse the defense. He gets rewarded at the end by getting the puck in the slot and beating the goalie.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SGKosClip2.mp4

Another play where Kos is all over the puck in the offensive zone, constantly moving his feet looking for opportunities to strike.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SGKosClip3.mp4

Great play by Kos to identify his teammate was going to throw the puck into center ice.Kos is able to get a high-danger shot off because of his great anticipation on this play.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SGKosClip4.mp4

Kos is able to effectively bring the puck up the ice in transition, and although he loses control of it on the entry, battles back, shields the puck along the wall and makes a nifty backward pass to his teammate to keep the possession in his team's hands.

NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS: 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Preview – Players to Watch

Brock Otten — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 16:19:17 +0000

The first scouting event of the new draft season is right around the corner, and everyone is rightfully excited. On July 31st, action gets under way at the 2023 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in Breclav and Trencin, with Canada looking to repeat as Champions. Last year, Canada captured gold on the back of strong play by Cal Ritchie, Brayden Yager, and Cam Allen, and they enter this year’s tournament as the favourites again. Once again, Russia will not be participating due to the ongoing war with Ukraine, and Germany will be taking their usual spot.

Let’s go over some of the players to watch for each team.

Group A

Czechia

Adam Jecho - Forward

Amazingly, this will be Jecho’s third Hlinka/Gretzky Cup. He’s still looking for his first goal at the event but should definitely earn it this year as one of the top forwards in the tournament. A potential lottery pick, he has recently signed on with Edmonton of the WHL for this year. The big winger is dynamite in transition with his size and speed.

Adam Jiricek - Defense

The younger brother of top Columbus prospect David Jiricek, Adam plays a similar kind of game. He can have a real positive impact on the game offensively but is still finding his footing as an elite two-way player. He is another potential lottery selection on this roster.

David Svozil - Defense

Another brother of a solid NHL defense prospect, David is the sibling of Stanislav. He too is a smooth skating puck mover, but he has a larger frame than his brother giving him a bit better defensive upside.

Tomas Galvas - Defense

Intelligent, two-way defender with high end skating ability. Galvas has already seen action in the Czech Extraliga. There will be questions about his high-end upside, but this is going to be a big tournament for him to prove that he belongs in the first round conversation like his teammates.

Jakub Fibigr - Defense

If you hadn’t guessed, the defense should be the strong suit of this Czech team with four potential high selections coming into the season. Fibigr is also a smooth skating defender, but one with the potential to quarterback the powerplay and put up points.

Adam Benak (2025) - Forward

One of the few 2007 born players at the event this year, Benak is an incredibly talented center who dazzled at the U17’s last year as an underager, even pulling off “The Michigan.” His role on this Czech squad could be more support oriented, but he’s a potential top prospect for 2025.

Germany

Manuel Schams - Defense

The likely captain of this Germany squad, Schams has been relied upon to be the top defender in the ‘05 age group thus far. A two-way defender and possibly Germany’s best hope to have a 2024 draft selection, look for him to eat heavy minutes.

Rio Kaiser (2025) - Defense

Kaiser is a raw defender with great upside thanks to his massive 6’7 frame. He is a late born 2006, so he’s not NHL draft eligible until 2025. Recently selected by Peterborough in the Import Draft, he will stay in Germany this year.

David Lewandowski (2025) - Forward

The 2007 age group is a much better one for Germany with several players showing the potential to be potential NHL draft selections. Lewandowski is a rangy pivot with strong puck protection skill, and he could be the team’s first line center despite being an underager.

Gustavs Griva (2025) - Forward

Another 2007 born player on the roster who will likely play a large role. Latvian born, but German raised winger who also has a twin on the team (Richards). While both are great players, Gustavs is the likely higher touted for now.

Carlos Handel (2025) - Defense

Yes, another high end 2007. Handel could be one of the top defenders on this German team as an underager. He’s going to be playing this year in Sweden with the Malmo program. There is high hope that he can turn into a Seider/Reinbacher type of prospect in the future.

Sweden

Alexander Zetterberg - Forward

No, he is not the son of former Red Wings star Henrik Zetterberg, but there is apparently some distant relation between the two. What is certain is that Zetterberg enters the year as the top 2006 born Swedish player eligible for the draft (there are other strong late 2005’s). As such, the diminutive, but skilled and feisty center will be counted upon to be an offensive leader for this Swedish team.

Alfons Freij - Defense

An aggressive offensive defender with quick feet, Freij has the potential to be the first Swedish defender selected in 2024. He is ultra confident with the puck on his stick, and he was good for Sweden in a depth role at last year’s World Junior A Challenge, an event containing some pretty solid older prospects.

Anton Olsson - Defense

Not to be confused with the Nashville stay at home defender of the same name. This Anton Olsson is much more offensively oriented and fleet of foot. He should help anchor the blueline with Freij, as he did at last year’s U17’s.

Lucas Pettersson - Forward

Pettersson is an intelligent two-way center who has great playmaking chops. He was the second leading U17 scorer in the Swedish J20 league last year behind Zetterberg and he should form a great 1/2 punch down the middle for Sweden.

Karl Sterner - Forward

Lately there seems to be a big Swedish forward with intriguing athletic potential available every year at the draft. This year, that player appears to be Sterner. He shows an ability to put defenders on his back and control the wall. The skill, size, and skating combination will be very interesting to watch this year.

Linus Eriksson - Forward

Don’t let the limited production at last year’s U17’s fool you, Eriksson was one of Sweden’s top players at the event. He uses his strong skating ability to impact the game in all three zones and has the creativity to be a topflight playmaker. Eriksson’s upside is very high, and he will be one to watch at this tournament and throughout this season.

Victor Eklund (2025) - Forward

A large contingent of the top end forwards on this Swedish team are late birthdays. Victor is the younger brother of top San Jose Sharks prospect William Eklund. He plays the game in a similar way, as a slippery and creative playmaker. However, he did struggle at the J20 level last year and at the U17’s.

Viggo Nordlund (2025) - Forward

Kind of a similar player to Zetterberg…and yes, he is also a late born 2006 player. Nordlund was very noticeable at last year’s U17’s due to his combination of vision, passing ability, and strong agility. He can really keep the puck on a string, and he should play a top six role at this event.

Love Harenstam (2025) - Goaltender

In contention to be the best 2007 born goaltender on the planet, there is no guarantee that Harenstam sees considerable action given that he is an underager. However, he is a player to watch based on his immense upside as the next great Swedish netminder…and of course his amazing name.

United States

Trevor Connelly - Forward

One of the key figures on this U.S. team, Connelly was already an impact player in the USHL last year as a 16-year-old for Tri-City. He brings size, speed, and skill and is a lethal scorer from inside the dots. He also competes hard away from the puck and could ultimately be a first round pick next June.

Mac Swanson - Forward

Not the biggest forward, but Swanson is incredibly skilled. He was a near point per game player in the USHL as a 16-year-old for Fargo and was one of the best players in last year’s Clark Cup playoffs. His playmaking ability and vision are near elite. This tournament will be a big test for him. Players at his size (5’7) need to produce to be drafted.

AJ Spellacy - Forward

A big power forward playing for the Windsor Spitfires who was having a terrific rookie year prior to a season ending knee injury. He was a surprise addition to camp given his injury timeline but ended up making the team. He brings a ton of physicality and energy to the ice and can be a difference maker in transition.

Aidan Park - Forward

One of a few California kids on this roster, Park is a Shattuck St. Mary’s standout who is committed to the University of Michigan in the future. He’s an intelligent two-way forward with good skill and speed who didn’t look out of place in limited USHL action last year.

William Zellers - Forward

Another Shattucks St. Mary’s player on the roster, Zellers is a high IQ support winger who should play on the first two lines of this U.S. team. The Boston University commit is also a member of the Green Bay Gamblers.

Owen Keefe - Defense

Expect Keefe to be a defensive anchor for the U.S. at this event. He’s got a very polished and mature defensive game already thanks to strong mobility, reach, and a high IQ. The Muskegon (USHL) defender is a Boston University commit.

Will Felicio - Defense

Felicio is an undersized, but talented offensive defender who can run the powerplay and move the puck. He was a member of the USHL All Rookie team last year after a great season with Madison. Look for Felicio to run a potentially dangerous powerplay at this event.

Thatcher Bernstein - Goaltender

One of the top goalies in the prep school scene last year as a 16-year-old, Bernstein appears to have the inside edge to be the starting netminder for this U.S. team. He has the size that NHL teams are looking for and he’ll be playing for Dubuque this year in the USHL.

Ryker Lee (2025) - Forward

Lee is yet another Shattuck St. Mary’s player and is perhaps the only one guaranteed to return to the program this year as a late born 2006. He is a highly creative and skilled offensive player who could play a top six role on this team despite some size/strength deficits.

Group B

Canada

Sam Dickinson - Defense

Dickinson, a London Knights defender, is a potential top ten selection this year as a dominant two-way player. He controls the play with his combination of length and mobility, and he can have a profound impact on the transition game. Look for him to be one of the better defensemen at the event.

Henry Mews - Defense

Another potential top ten selection on the blueline out of the OHL, Mews is a different player than Dickinson, but he is equally effective and intriguing as a prospect. He oozes offensive potential thanks to his high-end vision and touch. He will also be an integral part of this Canadian Hlinka team.

Zayne Parekh - Defense

Look for Parekh to quarterback to the top Canadian powerplay after a record-breaking season in the OHL. His 21 goals set a new record for scoring by a U17 defender in the OHL. He’s a hybrid style defender with a high skill level and the skating ability to play aggressively with the puck.

Berkly Catton - Forward

The former first overall pick in the WHL by Spokane, Catton will be one of the main forwards to keep an eye on at this event. He is a potential top five selection thanks to the pivot’s complete game and skill level. He can do it all on the ice.

Cayden Lindstrom - Forward

Lindstrom is a huge, but lanky forward who is still learning how to unlock his physical potential. He can be an absolute force on net drives already and flashes high end skill in transition. Imagine how good he’ll be once he fills out his frame? Expect him to be a draft riser over the course of the year and it could start with a strong performance here.

Maxim Masse - Forward

One of the few players from the QMJHL on the roster this year, Masse was the CHL Rookie of the Year last season. Masse is a skilled scoring winger who also has good size and plays hard away from the puck. The Hlinka/Gretzky offers him an opportunity to show scouts that he has worked hard to improve his skating.

Michael Misa (2025) - Forward

The lone 2007 born player on this Canadian roster, Misa was granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada to enter the OHL early. He did not disappoint in his rookie year, albeit in the face of some injuries. He is a dynamic force when attacking with pace because of his ability to blend speed and skill. His shot is insanely good too. Look for him to be among the team’s offensive leaders despite his age.

Porter Martone (2025) - Forward

Expectations for Martone at this event will be quite high after he was great for Canada in a depth role at the U18’s as an underager. The late born 2006 winger plays a power game and has the size and skill to dominate down low.

Malcolm Spence (2025) - Forward

Another late 2006 born forward on this roster who could play a large role, Spence is an athletic beast. His rookie year with Erie had its ups and downs, but he did enough to flash his high-end offensive upside thanks to his combination of size and skill. Of all the players on this Canadian roster, Spence is the one that I’m most intrigued to see improvement from.

Gabriel D’Aigle (2025) - Goaltender

The last time we saw D’Aigle, he was thrust into action in the medal round for Canada at the U18’s despite being only 16. While he wasn’t fantastic, he held his own under the circumstances and should be one of the best goalies at this event. He’s not NHL draft eligible until 2025 with a late November birthday.

Finland

*of note, top Finnish ‘06’s Aron Kiviharju and Konsta Helenius will compete with Finland in the upcoming U20 showcase in Plymouth instead of the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup.

Veeti Vaisanen - Defense

There is some thought out there that Vaisanen has a chance to push ahead of Kiviharju as the top Finnish defender available this year. With Kiviharju out of the event, he will get his chance to shine. He’s a highly mobile two-way defender who will need to show that his offensive capabilities are high end.

Niilopekka Muhonen - Defense

Muhonen is a big defender who has already been playing at the U18 level for a year now, suiting up at last year’s Hlinka/Gretzky and this year’s U18’s. He’s already very polished in the defensive end and has great upside as a shutdown type. Does he have the upside to match? He could easily be a first-round pick next June if he shows that.

Joona Saarelainen - Forward

Likely to be the first line center and primary play driver for this Finnish entry, Saarelainen is a skilled, but undersized pivot. He played at this tournament last year as an underager and will try to use that experience to help Finland overcome the loss of their two best players.

Roope Vesterinen - Forward

Another undersized, but skilled forward, Vesterinen was lethal at last year’s U17’s, helping Finland take bronze. He thinks the game at a high level and has the high-end skating ability to beat defenders one on one.

Emil Hemming - Forward

A nice contrast to the undersized, high skill forwards in the age group for Finland, Hemming is a skilled power winger who excels driving the middle. The question for Finland is, do they load up a first line with their three top forwards or try to balance out the roster?

Petteri Rimpinen - Goaltender

Rimpinen was on Finland’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup squad last year as an underager and returns this year as the starter. He may not have the elite size scouts are looking for (currently listed at 6’0), but he does have the athleticism. He was terrific in the Finnish junior leagues last year and has a chance to be the tournament’s best goaltender.

Switzerland

Daniil Ustinkov - Defense

Ustinkov is a player that many scouts will have their eyes on at this tournament, to see how he can lead a strong ‘06 group for Switzerland. He’s a dynamic offensive defender who looks to consistently push pace and who looks poised running the point of the powerplay. He already has a ton of experience at this U18 level internationally too.

Jamiro Reber - Forward

Heading into the tournament, Reber is the other top talent for Switzerland. He is slick and skilled, making him difficult to contain as he pushes into the offensive zone with speed. He’s leaving Switzerland to play in Sweden this year as part of the HV71 program.

Leon Muggli - Defense

Muggli has long been the captain of this strong ‘06 group and he will help anchor the defense along with Ustinkov and Gian Meier. He doesn’t have the flash of Ustinkov, but he is a hyper intelligent blueliner who excels in the defensive end.

Gian Meier - Defense

A big right shot defender, Meier is going to get a ton of ice time at this tournament as part of a strong defensive group for the Swiss. A raw player still trying to find his game, it will be interesting to track his development this year.

Yannik Ponzetto - Forward

Already signed on to play with the Halifax Mooseheads this season, Ponzetto is another integral piece of the forward group along with Reber. The big winger plays a power game, which should blend well with Reber’s skill on the top unit.

Christian Kirsch - Goaltender

Likely to be the starting netminder for the Swiss, Kirsch is a hyper athletic netminder with size. We saw him struggle at the U18’s this year as an underager, but he’s fared much better against his own age group. He has a commitment to UMass and is a draft pick of the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL).

Slovakia

Ondrej Maruna - Forward

Drafted by Charlottetown in the Import draft this year, there is belief that he will end up in the QMJHL this year. He’s a versatile two-way forward with size who may just be the top NHL draft prospect of this 2024 Slovak group. He played at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup as an underager last year too.

Theo Kiss - Forward

A UMass commit who has been playing with Mount St. Charles Academy the last few seasons, Kiss will likely play with Des Moines of the USHL this year. He is a very creative and skilled offensive player and it will be interesting to see what he can do on a larger stage.

Tomas Pobezal (2025) - Forward

The only true star of this 2006 Slovak group, Pobezal has already been on the international stage for a few years now. He played at both last year’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and this year’s U18’s. Thanks to a late birthday, he’s not draft eligible until 2025. This will be a big event to prove that he belongs in the conversation with some of the other top Slovaks who have dominated the tournament recently.

Luka Radivojevič (2025) - Defense

The son of former OHL’er and NHL’er Branko Radivojevič, Luka is quite different from his father. He’s a smooth skating, puck moving defender without the elite size his father had. He has been playing in Sweden the last two years and is part of a much stronger 2007 group for the Slovaks.

Tobias Tomik (2026) - Forward

Likely the youngest player at this entire event, Tomik is a December born 2007. He’s already been playing a level up Internationally for the Slovaks and now faces his next challenge as part of the U18 group. He is a pure shooter with high end goal scoring potential.