World Juniors – McKeen's Hockey

AHL SCOUTING REPORT (Video + Grades) – Bradly Nadeau, W/C, Chicago Wolves

Dave Hall — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 17:40:58 +0000

Bradly Nadeau

2023 round 1 #30 overall by Carolina Hurricanes
Position: W/C, Shoots: R
H/W: 5’11”, 172lbs
Date of Birth: 2005-05-05
Stats to Date: 22GP, 6-9-15, 14 PIM

With a tantalizing toolkit, Bradley Nadeau offered several key elements in his game that warranted a first-round pick in 2023. The big question mark was whether that toolkit could safely transition to the college and, eventually, the professional ranks.

With a potent freshman year within the NCAA circuit behind him, leading his University of Main in points (46), earning a Hockey East All-Rookie Team vote and a Hobey Baker nomination, he’s already passed one of those questions with flying colours. Now developing within the Carolina Hurricanes system, Nadeau is slowly finding his footing with the Chicago Wolves.

Nadeau is at his best when providing offence. While his success was relatively slow out of the gate, he caught fire in December and now enters his first World Junior Championship stint blazing hot. He enters his AHL hiatus sitting third among U20 skaters (second in points-per-game) with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 22 games.

Simply put, the New Brunswick product is a pure goalscorer with one of the highest-ranked shots among his entire draft class. Whether it’s coming off the rush or a one-timer or from sneaky off angles, his ability to load with both power and quickness is already NHL-caliber today. If there's anything keeping his future potential afloat, it’s his ability to light the lamp.

His work off the puck makes him such a threat in the offensive zone. Lurking from the perimeter, Nadaeu waits patiently on the sidelines for the right time to find the soft spots from behind the defence. Using a quick and highly flexed release, he can strike on a dime and leave little time for both the defenders and, more importantly, the goalie to react. More often than not, they both are too late.

The remainder of his offensive game remains relatively underrated. While his release will pay the bills, he can pull off quick one-touch passes and heads-up breakouts. With his head up, he’s able to make crafty plays and can pounce off the rush with developing speed.

The limitations in his game mimic those that have grown with his career. Standing 5’11”, 172lbs, the physical game continues to loom over his game and is now at the forefront as he battles with American league competition. It’s not for lack of effort, though. With quick feet, he’s in constant motion, which doesn't stop in the defensive end. He hounds, he provides pressure, and the effort is generally always there. It’s simply a matter of being effective and outmuscling opponents. Improving his ability to

In relatively quick succession, Naedau has leapfrogged several Hurricanes prospects and, now, less than years post-draft is already flirting with a role at the NHL level. With his offensive pedigree primed to make the leap, can his average skating mechanics and low defensive effectiveness follow along?

Characteristics

Skating

Bradly Naduea’s skating isn’t the flashiest or most effective. But he blends so many tools within his game that most can be forgiven. After all, he can provide a few quick steps to set himself for top speed, and when he’s going, he is one of the fastest north-south skaters on the ice. He’s able to change speeds on a dime, which can put defenders in a bind when manning inside the zone.

Getting closer to the bone, there are certain limitations in his overall mechanics. With deficiencies such as high strides, crossover hops and an overall limitation in his four-way ability, it all boils down to some polishing up.

One of the main issues keeping him from being a true separator is his lack of ability to mimic his strong and crafty hands at high speeds. He’s most effective when he slows the game down and works in a glide. The issue? While those in BCHL and even among the NCAA circuits, his ability to slow the game down from the blueline allowed him time to formulate a solid next step. In the American League, however, defenders seemingly read right through that, shutting things down promptly.

As a result, he’s had difficulty breaking through to the middle of the ice with the puck on his stick and has had several rushes kept to the perimeter. His blend of skating does not mix well with his lack of physical traits. He’s often pushed off pucks on the rush, which heavily limits his ability to gain entries or play the dump-and-chase game.

With all this said, we still aren’t particularly worried. As mentioned, he adds so many additional tools that he makes up for it in other areas of the ice. When cycling through the offensive zone, he can blend in his soft hands and find limeates with his high-end IQ.

Here are several instances in which he's able to gain speed to build toward the zone, only to slow things down and simply run out of real estate.

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GRADE: 52.5

Shot

If you scour the archives for past 2023 draft reports, Connor Bedard brought home unanimous number-one ranks in nearly every ranking, including his shooting ability. Following a close second in that regard was Bradly Nadeau.

The Maritimer makes his living off scoring goals, which, as already mentioned, is what keeps him paid as a professional hockey player. From Auston Matthews-esque toe drag and heavy-set one-timer to crafty backhands and odd-angled snaps, he can generate power from anywhere and everywhere, making each night a living nightmare for opposing goaltenders.

When brainstorming some of the best shooters in the business, a few main qualities come to mind: power, deception, quickness and accuracy. Nadeau boasts all of them in spades and has the poise to develop into a bona fide 40-goal scorer.

Lurking from the perimeter, he backs off defenders to find smart off-puck routes before timing his spot to burst back in and utilize his main weapon of choice. While scoring is his aim, his heavy shot tends to lead to complications for the goaltender. With them handcuffed, the shot creates heavy rebound potential and stirs up good havoc at the net front.

This is to say that his shot is going to be a massive problem, whether it’s at the AHL or NHL level.

Right off the bat, we'll start with a couple of his booming one-timers, both of which happened to find the back of the net. In this first clip, he enters the zone locked and loaded before delivering one of his patented rockets.

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Here, he floats into the open ice in the slot and lets off his quick release.

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Even when he needs to let off a quick-loaded one-timer, the flex he can generate is well above average.

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Awkward angle or an untimely pass? That's no problem; Nadeau can still let off an incredibly potent snap that troubles netminders.

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Finally, he's incredibly poised on the breakaway, despite being a young rookie in his first professional stint.

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GRADE: 60

Skills

The shot, the hands, the playmaking. It’s all there on a platter to enjoy on a nightly basis. As we’ve already covered, his release and ability to find the back of the net is his bread and butter, but his playmaking and soft hands are both underrated elements of his game. Underrated, only due to his shot being so lethal.

Being a lighter-framed player who has jumped the ranks in quick succession, he’s proven the ability to adapt to his environment, bringing his God-given offensive ability and adapting extremely well. He relies on quick hands, is capable of beating defenders in a phone booth, and makes quick passes to facilitate the play form within the offensive zone.

Offensively driven skill separates Naedau from the pack, and all of it is designed to help him find the best route to a potent shot on net. It’s all about flash, flash, flash.

Here, he’ll collect the bouncing puck from a failed attempt from a teammate, kick the puck to his stick and make a quick move around the pressuring defender. He converts that into a quick released snapshot, which nearly finds the upstairs.

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Unfazed by the pressure, Nadeau goes in and out of the attacking defender, turning up the play to his linemate.

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Collecting the puck at the blue line, he delivers a quick spin O Rama to shake off the defence, getting around on the outside and collecting a shot on net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/bradly_nadeau_-_2nd_period_15_54_-_16_1.mp4

GRADE: 57.5

Smarts

If we’re being honest, Nadeau’s game is based primarily on his offensive ability and hard-line skill. If you’re looking for a two-way presence for your shutdown and penalty-killing minutes, he’s probably not your guy. On the contrary, if it’s a momentum-seeking goal you need, he's the perfect candidate to find the soft spots and get you back in the game. He’s offensive through and through.

His offensive game has yet to show the exact polish that we saw during his college and, even more so, his BCHL days, but his confidence is growing by the week, and his production is proof of work.

Sometimes, he struggles with the newfound time-and-space given, or lack thereof, which turns into rushed passes and fumbled pucks. Yet, the instances where his “old self” shines through are becoming more and more common as he navigates his pro game.

As we learned from his shooting ability, Nadeau brings a high level of offensive IQ. He understands the play being formed and plays with his head up at all times. When he gets the puck on his stick, his next move feels calculated and intentional.

In addition to his skilled shot selection, he plays an underrated passing game. Using his trigger-happy reputation, he’s able to coax defenders/netminders in before finding linemates with a deceptive pass. Or, on the breakout, you’ll typically find him using slick one-touch passes to kickstart the play up the other way. His hands are soft, and he uses various moves to maneuver in and out of his opponents.

With his quick processing and one-touch passing, he kickstarts the play without hesitation and catches the defence flat-footed.

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He keeps his head up in the zone to scan the ice for his next move.

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Here's a good example of him selling a shot to freeze the defensive wall before threading a pass to his linemate.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Good-in-zone-pass-good-vision.mp4

Here's a good example of him scanning the ice beforehand, setting himself up for the quick backhand dish for a good opportunity.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Good-vision-head-up-quick-pass.mp4

Like his poise on breakaways, he doesn't panic much in his game. If the play doesn't materialize, he's comfortable holding, scanning and finding a new play.

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GRADE: 57.5

Physicality/Compete

Although a work in progress, his physical game still has an uphill climb ahead of him—one that he may never truly scale. With a 172-lb frame, his game has never truly been fit for the physical elements of the game. Whether it be board battles, 50/50 pucks, or net-front skirmishes, Nadeau is often on the losing end.

On several occasions, he can be seen bypassing his check in the defensive end, letting the defender get the inside track on him for a high-danger chance. He uses his crafty stick to deflect passes and break up plays, but he could use it more effectively to direct pucks off opponents' sticks.

That said, his deficiencies aren’t due to a lack of effort. As he does in the offensive zone, he keeps his feet moving at all times and makes his best attempt to throw his body around. He hounds, presses, and, despite being unable to win most battles physically, lays it all out on the ice with each shift.

As we've seen, Nadeau is an incredibly skilled forward who made a living by providing high-level maneuvers around his opposition. Unfortunately, the competition is a little more privy to these types of tricks, and he's had a more difficult time getting into the inside lane or getting around the defence.

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Inboard battles, he was often outmuscled or taken down.

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That said, his effort level does make up for his lack of strength. Even when losing the puck, he quickly gets back on his feet and hounds the puck carrier.

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GRADE: 47.5

OFP: 55.25

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: How Does Canada Win Without Schaefer?

Kyle Watson — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 17:39:09 +0000

_{Credit: Andre Ringuette / Freestyle Photography}

OTTAWA - Team Canada will have to endure the rest of the World Juniors without its most talented defenceman, Matthew Schaefer.

The Erie Otters star — ranked at No. 1 in our latest 2025 NHL Draft rankings — has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after colliding with the net in Canada's 3-2 shootout loss to Latvia. The 17-year-old sustained a left shoulder injury and could be sidelined for up to three months.

The IIHF permitted teams to register 25 players for the first time in event history this year, instead of the usual 23. F Carson Rehkopf and D Sawyer Mynio, who have been healthy scratches thus far, have been registered and are expected to play against Germany today.

It's worth noting Canada had the choice to bring in a player not currently with the team and elected not to.

How will Team Canada fare without Matthew Schaefer?

It was not in the cards this time last year, but before the injury, the Otters defenceman was expected to play a major role for this Canadian group. He has been that good this season.

Schaefer has seven goals and 22 points in 17 games with the Otters since a bout of mononucleosis delayed his season debut until October 25th. He was easily the best player in the CHL Top Prospects-USNTDP showcase games in November. Helping lead Canada to gold at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in the summer did wonders for his confidence and his offensive flair has been on full display in his draft-eligible campaign:

MATTHEW SCHAEFER WITH THE HIGHLIGHT REEL ASSIST

Top ranked #NHLDraft prospect Matthew Schaefer makes an unreal move to get by the defender before passing it off to fellow draft prospect Malcolm Spence who taps it in to give the @ErieOtters a 4-1 lead!#OHL | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/WixcFTNjMU

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 8, 2024

The Hamilton, Ont. native was one of the team's better players in Canada's opener over Finland, setting up Gavin McKenna's opener and adding an empty-net goal to seal the 4-0 win. Only fellow d-men Andrew Gibson and Oliver Bonk were utilized more than the 17-year-old, who saw 20:26 of ice time.

"Even as the youngest defender on the team, he clearly did not lack the confidence required to take chances with the puck in the name of creating offence," said McKeen's Director of Scouting, Brock Otten.

"I'm legitimately worried about how Canada's defence looks without him," added Otten. "The team opted to leave some of the more dynamic defenders in the age group at home and with Schaefer out versus Latvia, the team struggled to create significant scoring chances from the blueline out."

It was a talking point in Brock and I's examination of Canada's lineup on the McKeen's Hockey Show before the tournament: even if you were banking on Schaefer bearing the burden of offence on the blueline, why not bring one of Zayne Parekh or Carter Yakemchuk? Why not take full advantage of the talent available by giving yourself a variety of options?

Instead of bringing in Parekh — who is the second defenceman in OHL history to score 30 goals in his draft year — or Yakemchuk, — who holds the Calgary Hitmen franchise record for goals scored by a defenceman — Hockey Canada has elected to stick with the group they brought.

With Canada cancelling practice yesterday, head coach Dave Cameron and his staff will have a fresh approach for tonight's match.

There are two main areas in need of addressing on the backend: their ability to create offence in transition and the lack of a true powerplay quarterback.

Bonk took over for Schaefer against Latvia on Canada's top unit, despite the fact he has operated almost exclusively in the bumper role for London in the OHL. His teammate, Sam Dickinson, runs the PP1 for the Knights: the 2024 first-round pick leads CHL defenders with 36 points in 26 games.

"Dickinson has the potential to step into that role for Canada, but he seems to have reverted into a shell in this tournament, afraid of making a mistake," explained Otten.

"Outside of Tanner Molendyk, the rest of the defenders have had trouble making clean and controlled exits," he added.

"I worry about how the heavy forecheck of the United States, for example, will be handled. Lastly, Schaefer was one of the few bright spots on a struggling Canadian power play. Now its reconfiguration will need to be completed without him. Will that be successful?"

Hagens leading the way for USA

Seeing Schaefer and Porter Martone face off against James Hagens on New Year's Eve would have been a spectacle for NHL scouts to behold. It's an unfortunate outcome in a tournament where you always want best-on-best action.

After a slow start in the NCAA (relative to his standards), Hagens has looked excellent back amongst junior players. The 18-year-old centreman was just too much to handle for Latvia yesterday in the USA's 5-1 undoing of the underdogs.

Watching him move the puck around with Gabe Perrault and Ryan Leonard is utterly mesmerizing: both of his assists came from him drawing opponents in before picking a seam to the back door:

Ryan Leonard strikes on the power-play to make it 2-0 USA!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/A9h9Y2klJb

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2024

Zeev Buium finishes off the James Hagens pass to make it 3-0 USA!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/LfsiIclCJB

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2024

Hagens would have had a goal of his own were it not for the efforts of Linards Feldbergs, hot off the performance of a lifetime against Canada less than 24 hours earlier:

WHAT A SAVE

Linards Feldbergs makes an incredible stop on James Hagens.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/2mt2mK68WB

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2024

He was complimentary of Team Latvia's effort post-game:

"We were ready right from the drop of the puck," said the Hauppauge, New York native. "They're a great hockey team. Anyone can win on any given day. We came in here ready to give it our all. We saw the game against Canada. They never stopped coming. But we all stuck together."

The Boston College centerman sits second in the tournament scoring with two goals and six points (five of which are primary). He fills up the net every time he dons the stars and stripes.

Secondary scoring shines for the Americans, D needs work

In our discussion before the tournament, it was suggested by Asst. Director of Scouting, Derek Neumeier, that the Americans had two question marks heading into the tournament: whether or not the team would be too reliant on its top unit and if the defence corps was up to snuff.

Danny Nelson was excellent behind Hagens yesterday, the big two-way pivot scored twice and was named player of the game. Centring the second line with Trevor Connelly and Cole Eiserman on his wings, the New York Islanders prospect is blossoming in a more prominent role for the Americans — he was mostly deployed on the penalty kill last tournament.

Thus far, the second line has combined for five of USA's 15 goals, in contrast to the first line's six.

The question marks still lie around the defence, though. Expect head coach David Carle to tinker with the bottom pairings against Finland.

Parting Notes

Three Czech players (Vojtech Hradec, Jakub Stancl, and Matej Mastalirsky) scored a hat trick as the defending bronze medalists defeated Kazakhstan 14-2
Scoring 14 goals on 36 shots, the Czechs had a 39% shooting percentage in the victory.
It was the most goals Czechia has ever scored against Kazakhstan, eclipsing a 10-2 showing at the 2009 edition of the tournament in Ottawa.
Seattle Kraken pick Jakub Fibigr recorded four assists
Fellow Kraken prospect Eduard Sale picked up two assists, taking him past David Pastrnak and Jiri Hudler on the all-time WJC scoring list for Czechia with 16 points in 16 career games.
Hagens is currently on pace for 21 points should he play all seven potential games of the tournament. The record for American draft-eligible players is 13 points in six contests: a record that's stood for almost 50 years.
Feldbergs (Sherbrooke, QMJHL) has made 91 saves in his first two games: the Latvian netminder caught the attention of former Montreal Canadiens star Carey Price with his impressive display against Canada.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: 8 Early Standout Draft-Eligibles

Jeremy Rivet — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:40:56 +0000

_{James Hagens}

We have already reached the halfway mark of the preliminary round of the 2025 World Juniors Championship in Ottawa, and the competition remains wide open in the two groups. The tournament has already witnessed one of the biggest surprises in its history, with Latvia's shocking win over Canada, and I am confident that it will not be the only one. In a tournament where the outcome is decided in a single game, anything can happen.

My primary focus has been on the players eligible for the upcoming NHL draft, and I wanted to observe how they would perform against the best players of their age group, as well as how some who were overlooked in last year's draft have progressed. Here are the eight main prospects that have stood out for me so far.

Matthew Schaefer, Erie, OHL - D (Canada)

Schaefer was Canada's best defenseman during the pre-tournament and in the first game of the preliminary round before sustaining a tournament-ending left shoulder injury against Latvia. This will be a significant loss for Canada for the remainder of the World Juniors. At only 17 years old, Schaefer was deployed in all situations, showcasing his elite mobility and the physical aspect of his game, which makes him a well-rounded defenseman capable of logging heavy minutes. Hopefully, his injury will not keep him off the ice for an extended period, as the race for the first-overall pick heats up.

James Hagens, Boston College, NCAA - C/LW (United States)

The other leading candidate for the first overall selection in the upcoming NHL Draft had a strong performance against Germany, recording four points (two goals and two assists). The chemistry between Hagens and his Boston College linemates, Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard, was evident, and Hagens was a key contributor to that line's success. His elite puck-handling and playmaking skills are what set him apart. It will be intriguing to see how he performs against tougher opponents and as the stakes increase.

Victor Eklund, Djurgarden, Swe.2 - F (Sweden)

A potential top-5 selection in the upcoming draft, Eklund made a significant impact in Sweden's first game against Slovakia. His high compete level and willingness to battle in the tough areas of the ice are two aspects of his game that I found impressive. He competes for pucks along the boards and in front of the net, and his playmaking ability is at a high level, as evidenced by his no-look passes that are challenging for goalies and opponents to read. Eklund was named the player of the game in Sweden's matchup against Kazakhstan, registering two points.

Benjamin Rautiainen, Tappara, Fin. - F (Finland)

Rautiainen is a re-entry prospect and is making his first appearance at the World Juniors. He has been having a strong season in the Liiga, and that form has carried over to the tournament. Although he hasn't recorded a point yet, I found him to be one of Finland's most dangerous forwards in their first two preliminary-round games. He plays with a high tempo, creating scoring chances for his teammates through his vision and by attacking the interior of the offensive zone. Rautiainen also demonstrated a good stick and a high compete level, causing turnovers on the forecheck.

Jan Chovan, Tappara Jr., Fin. - F (Slovakia)

As a first-year draft-eligible player, Chovan has primarily been used as the 13th forward for Slovakia in their first two games against Sweden and Switzerland. Despite the limited ice time, he was able to make an impact, scoring the game-winning goal against Switzerland, a crucial game that likely determined the third-place finisher in Group B. Chovan was also deployed in the final seconds to protect the lead, showcasing his size, mobility, and hockey IQ to play multiple roles. It will be interesting to see if he receives an increased role as the tournament progresses.

David Lewandowski, Saskatoon, WHL - F (Germany)

Lewandowski has been one of the most utilized forwards for Germany after the first two games. The combination of size, speed, and skill makes him resemble a power forward. He scored a goal against the United States with a great shot off the rush from the top of the circle. What stood out the most in his game was his puck protection ability and his skill in creating space for his teammates. Lewandowski likes to be around the net and is not afraid of the physical aspect of the game.

Julius Sumpf, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL (undrafted) - C (Germany)

The Moncton Wildcats center is another prospect who was overlooked in last year's draft. He is probably Germany's best player in the tournament, as he is utilized in all situations and is the most-used forward on the German side. At 6-foot-2, he possesses an intriguing size, and although he is not a physical player, his hockey IQ and intelligence with the puck to create plays are his primary strengths. His speed is also not to be underestimated. Sumpf has recorded two points so far in two games and will be a crucial part of Germany's success, especially in the games that will likely determine the fourth-place finisher in Group A against Latvia.

Linards Feldbergs, Sherbrooke, QMJHL (undrafted) - G (Latvia)

Feldbergs was phenomenal in Latvia's historic win against Canada in their opening game. The undrafted goaltender from last year will certainly attract the attention of NHL teams after this performance. He demonstrated the ability to handle the pressure of playing in front of a hostile 18,000-strong crowd against a top-3 hockey nation. Despite being outshot 57-27, Feldbergs was able to shut down most of Canada's attack, making 55 saves and stopping all 8 shootout attempts to secure the victory. This will undoubtedly raise his profile ahead of the upcoming NHL draft.

AHL SCOUTING REPORT (Video + Grades) – Konsta Helenius, C, Rochester Americans

Michael Moroz — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 18:35:30 +0000

_{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}

Konsta Helenius

2024 NHL Entry Draft (Round 1, #14, Buffalo)
Position: C/W, Shoots: R
H/W: 5’11”, 189lbs
Date of Birth: 2006-05-11
Stats to Date: 27GP, 6-11-17, 16 PIM with Rochester (AHL)

Konsta Helenius has always had a big name as a smart, skilled, up-and-coming prospect in Finland, but it was his play at the international level that really hammered home his potential for NHL scouts. Helenius came into the limelight a couple of years ago in 2022-2023 with his play at the U17s and U18s for Finland, where he showcased his cerebral playmaking abilities and strong defensive acumen. At the U17s, Helenius was an assist machine, tallying a total of 9 assists and 11 points in a mere 7 games. Playing as an underage that same year at the U18s, Helenius was a force in the faceoff circle, showing he could be counted on as a responsible player at key moments. Now playing in the AHL with the Rochester Americans after two seasons with Jukurit in the Finnish Liiga, Helenius is making strong steps toward his potential.

Helenius’ game is built on a myriad of skills: he’s quick to make plays, he’s always in the right position, and his passing is on a whole other level, heads above his peers. But all of these skills are built on one foundation: Helenius’ smarts. It’s his smarts that allow him to see and make plays before they happen; they also enable him to know where to be across all zones of the ice, ready to make that next pass or break up an opposing play. And it’s his smarts that allow him to be a cerebral playmaker, finding open teammates at the tap of a stick on the ice. Helenius’ smarts serve as the driving force behind his game and are the reason he will be able to be counted on in the offensive and defensive zones as a future NHLer. The question remains, however, whether his other skills are as high-end as his smarts. Is his shot particularly dynamic? Is his skating good enough to be a shutdown number one or number two centre? The scouting world lacks a consensus. It’s up to Helenius to show that his toolkit is there, or can get there.

Helenius has already shown that he can read and make plays on North American ice. Helenius had an excellent career playing as an underage with Jukurit in the Finnish Liiga, and his transition to Rochester has been almost seamless. But Helenius still has room to grow. Helenius still has room to improve on his skating, particularly his edgework. This will come with time, but having Helenius improve on his edgework will allow him to make easier pivots to fuel his superb playmaking abilities. Helenius also has room to improve his physicality. He doesn’t need to be a player who hits everything that moves, but he can learn to better use his body to edge and box other players out, particularly pro players who are bigger and stronger than he is. Helenius has the tools to be a future middle-six player in the NHL, perhaps even a top-of-the-line forward, but improving his physicality will allow him to mold into a centre that can defend against the NHL’s best players. Can he be the next Phillip Danault or Mikael Backlund? Is his offensive ceiling high enough to be the next Elias Lindholm? Time will tell.

Characteristics

Skating

Helenius isn’t a bad skater by any means, but I wouldn’t call him a great skater, either. Helenius has good straight-line speed, which will allow him to join the rush and make plays at the NHL level, but it’s not game-breaking speed. With smaller players under the stereotypical 6’0” threshold, NHL teams would hope that someone with smaller size like Helenius would be a little quicker, but Helenius appears to be near average in terms of NHL speed. Other aspects of his game make up for his average speed and smaller frame, but if Helenius could improve his speed he could really separate himself as a playmaker.

In terms of other areas of improvement, there’s room for Helenius to improve his skating by working on his edgework. At times Helenius’ pivots and turns can look quite choppy, which delays his reaction time to oncoming and opposing plays. Helenius is only 18 and is still adjusting to the North American game, but with the smaller ice sheet players really need to be able to utilize their turns and pivots to maximize other aspects of their game.

Ultimately, Helenius’ current skating won’t prevent him from becoming an important, impactful player in the NHL. But in saying that, there still is room for improvement. If Helenius could improve his speed and edgework in only a slight way, there’s a great possibility that any such improvement could allow other areas of Helenius’ game to flourish.

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Here’s a clip of Helenius’ straight-line speed. His skating allows him to keep up with the 2-on-1 rush, where he ultimately finishes on a pass from Riley Fiddler-Schultz and scores against the Utica Comets. Helenius has NHL-calibre straight-line speed.

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In this clip, Helenius is able to use his speed to beat an opposing defender, leading to a breakaway. Helenius uses his quick release to score against the Utica Comets.

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I like this clip from the U18s because it shows Helenius’ ability to put some power behind his stride when required. He engages with a Slovakian defender, breaks away, and staves off another defender before releasing a shot on net.

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Here’s a perfect clip showing the combination of Helenius’ straight-line speed with his skill. He uses his speed to deke past a defender, leading to a scoring chance.

GRADE: 50

Shot

Helenius’ shot is highly divisive among many scouts. Some scouts would argue that it is above NHL average. And they’re probably not wrong - Helenius can fire shots from anywhere with a very quick release, startling any goalie. Other scouts, however, would argue that those quick shots don’t always have much power behind them. It ultimately depends on what you value in a shooter - does a quick release matter more than having a powerful shot? I would argue you need both to truly be above NHL average. For these reasons, I’d be comfortable giving Helenius a grade slightly above NHL average. But more consistency is needed there.

In terms of areas of improvement, shot selection is really hindering Helenius’ potential as a shooter. It’s very important for a forward to be willing to shoot from almost anywhere - usually, the more shots you take, the better the chances are that one of them goes in. But shooting in abundance also has its negatives; it can destroy potential plays that can be made to teammates. You’ll see some of that in Helenius’ clips, where at times it feels like he’s forcing a shot on net that isn’t there. More seasoning in the AHL will help Helenius figure it out, and I’m extremely confident he will.

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Here’s a clip of Helenius’ quick release in action. On a powerplay against the Cleveland Monsters, Helenius fires a quick shot on a knuckle puck past the Monsters’ goaltender.

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I’m a little indifferent to this shot from Helenius. Instead of holding on to the puck for a little longer and trying to make a play, he shoots it on net. That can be the right play, especially with an opposing defender closing in on you, but Helenius doesn’t shoot for a controlled rebound. The rebound ends up exiting the zone with a Laval Rocket forward.

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I don’t mind this shot from Helenius. He’s being defended against very well by a Syracuse Crunch forward, so he puts a quick shot on net that could be deflected or used as a rebound.

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This is a clip of Helenius’ quick release with his pinpoint accuracy. He takes the puck in close, uses a quick deke and scores against the Utica Comets. A nice play from Helenius here.

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Here’s a clip from Helenius at the U18s, where he tries to pick a corner against Slovakia on the power play. I don’t mind this shot at all. Good players try to make good plays!

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I like this low shot because he’s shooting for a rebound. Smart play by Helenius here.

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This is a combinatory clip of Helenius’ quick release with some real power behind his shot. I would like to see this more often, even if he needs to miss the net a couple of times before he figures out how to place it.

GRADE: 52.5

Skills

Put simply, Helenius is a superb passer who knows how to make plays. Oftentimes I’m in awe of how he can find teammates from almost anywhere on the ice. Helenius has shown his playmaking and passing abilities at all levels of hockey: junior, pro, and even on the international stage. Helenius was a playmaking machine against his peers at the U17s in 2022-2023. He was always a threat to generate a scoring chance, and he parlayed his great play into a very strong showing as an underager at the U18s that same year. But it was his second season in the Finnish Liiga with Jukurit, in addition to his second stint at the U18s in 2023-2024, where Helenius really showed his prowess as a playmaker. You don’t get 22 assists playing against men by accident, especially when a good chunk of them could deserve to be on a highlight reel, and you don’t get 7 assists in 5 games on the international stage by accident. I would like Helenius to be a bit more of an assertive playmaker in the pro game, but he can make plays.

As far as Helenius’ other skills go, I would say his stick skills are at or near NHL average. He can deke defenders and make nice moves, but I wouldn’t say that’s the biggest sticking point of his game. The flash in his game comes from his playmaking abilities, not his stick handling. But don’t get me wrong - he can still make great moves to beat goalies in tight. Helenius is also a very strong centre in the faceoff circle, especially for someone his age. He can be counted on to take big faceoffs in the offensive and defensive zones at any given time of the game. There’s a lot to like with this player, especially in the skill department.

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Here’s a nice play of Helenius showing his skill in-tight against the Laval Rocket, which almost results in a goal. Nice play here from the Finnish forward.

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I like Helenius’ willingness to try to go behind the legs on this play against Latvia at the U18s. He’s not afraid to try to make plays, which shows he has great confidence in himself as a playmaker on the international stage.

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Here’s a nice play by Helenius in-tight to score a goal against the Utica Comets. Some basic dekes here, but they’re good enough to stun the goalie, which allows Helenius to fire a quick shot which results in a goal.

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This is a clip of Helenius in alone on a breakaway in Finnish league play. Not the quickest set of hands, but he doesn’t give up on the play and scores on the rebound.

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Here’s a nice feed from Helenius which helps create a goal against the Belleville Senators.

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Similar move here from Helenius that he used against the Laval Rocket.

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A clean faceoff win here from Helenius in the defensive zone.

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Smart play by Helenius here to set up a goal after the initial play doesn’t go as planned.

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Finally, here’s a shootout clip from Helenius. Very good move here.

GRADE: 57.5

Smarts

This is the bread and butter of Helenius’ game. He can create plays from anywhere on the ice, and he does this so easily because he knows the play is about to happen before it actually happens. Helenius’ smarts also apply to his work in the defensive zone. He just knows where to be, and he can mitigate opposing plays before they happen. Helenius has had some adjusting to do with the North American pro game, but his smarts will allow him to carve out a long NHL career. There’s really not much for me to say about Helenius’ smarts, which don’t already speak for themselves, and you’ll see it in action in the following clips. This is a very smart hockey player who can play at both ends of the ice, and his strong play allows him to make up for his teammates’ mistakes. He’s very impressive in this regard, and I have no doubt that he’ll be a very successful player at both ends of the ice in the NHL.

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Here’s a clip of Helenius knowing how a play will turn out before it happens. Playing the right point, Helenius knows he has a forward crashing the net after the end of the faceoff. He puts it right near his teammates’ stick for a possible deflection. Very smart work here by Helenius.

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Here’s a clip from Helenius on the powerplay against the Syracuse Crunch. He knows he has to shoot for a rebound, so he puts it low on net, creating a scoring opportunity. It’s the simple plays like these that show how smart Helenius is as a playmaker.

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This is another clip about Helenius’ anticipation of the play. He flanks the Laval Rocket defender before reappearing ready for a pass in the slot.

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I like this clip from Helenius because it shows his awareness in the defensive zone. He’s in a good position here to break up a play while playing in the Finnish Liiga.

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This clip is great because it shows the trust the Rochester Americans’ coaching staff has in Helenius. He’s playing on the penalty kill as an 18-year-old. Good positioning here enables him to thwart a play from the Syracuse Crunch.

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This might be one of my favourite clips from Helenius. He tracks back into his own zone, but he actually stops in front of the net, which allows him to prevent an opposing goal. Many forwards would keep skating, but not Helenius. A very good play by the Finnish forward.

GRADE: 60

Physicality/Compete

For someone a little under six foot, Helenius sure isn’t afraid to shy away from physical battles all over the ice. He has been more assertive physically on the international stage against his peers than at the pro level, which is to be expected, but I’m impressed with Helenius’ unafraid attitude to get in the rough areas. He’s a strong player, especially on his stick, which allows him to compete with players who are bigger and stronger than he is. This particularly helps him in the faceoff circle, where he actually does quite well relative to peers his own age. I don’t think he will ever turn into the ultra-competitive, ‘sellout’ to block everything type of player, but he holds his own as a player that’s willing to engage and compete physically. Nothing here will hold him back from being an important player, especially when the game gets tougher in the playoffs.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/konsta_helenius_-_shot_blocking_-_1st_period_2_20_-_2_27.mp4

Here’s a good clip of Helenius tracking back to use his stick to block an opposing forward’s shot. A lot of players wouldn’t make as much of an effort to get back to defend. He cares about playing well and competing in his own zone.

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This clip perfectly captures Helenius’ compete during a faceoff against the Syracuse Crunch. After winning the faceoff, Helenius dumps the Crunch centre.

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I like this clip a lot as well. After winning the faceoff, Helenius goes straight to the hard areas to engage physically with the Belleville Senators’ players.

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I used this clip earlier, but again it shows that Helenius is unwilling to give up on loose pucks. A great display of compete and physicality here from the Sabres prospect.

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This clip shows Helenius being shadowed a bit by the opposing Toronto Marlies. This is the kind of contact Helenius faces in the AHL as a big-name prospect, but he doesn’t shy away.

GRADE: 55

OFP: 55.5

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: McKeen’s Medal and Player Predictions

McKeen's Staff — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 22:00:17 +0000

The 2025 World Junior Championships are set to kick off on Boxing Day (December 26), with Ottawa, Ontario hosting. Can Canada get back on the podium on home soil? Can the United States repeat? Members of the McKeen’s team have come together to bring you our predictions for the tournament.

Final Medal Standings Predictions

GOLD

USA - 9 votes
Canada - 8 votes

SILVER

USA - 6 votes
Canada - 6 votes
Sweden - 5 votes

BRONZE

Sweden - 8 votes
Czechia - 4 votes
Canada - 3 votes
USA - 1 vote
Finland - 1 vote

Who Wins Tournament MVP?

Ryan Leonard - 5 votes
Cal Ritchie - 2 votes
Gavin McKenna - 2 votes
Berkly Catton - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Zeev Buium, Easton Cowan, James Hagens, Gabe Perreault, Bradly Nadeau, and Axel Sandin Pellikka

Who Wins Best Forward?

Ryan Leonard - 5 votes
Gavin McKenna - 3 votes
Gabe Perreault - 3 votes
Cal Ritchie - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Dalibor Dvorsky, Berkly Catton, Otto Stenberg, and Easton Cowan

Who Wins Best Defender?

Zeev Buium - 8 votes
Axel Sandin Pellikka - 7 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Sam Dickinson and Tanner Molendyk

Who Wins Best Goaltender?

Trey Augustine - 14 votes
Carter George - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Michael Hrabal

Which 2025 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Has the Best Tournament?

Matthew Schaefer

“It's a close call between Schaefer and teammate Porter Martone, but I gotta go with my gut. Schaefer is the type of player who lives for big games like this. He'll provide solid defence, stellar and efficient transition play, and highlight-reel offence. He can do everything, and I could see him playing himself into more and more responsibility as the tournament goes on - even with the depth that Canada has on the back end. He'll prove to the world why he's a future 1D in the NHL.” (Felix Robbins)

“I think Matthew Schaefer will have the best tournament out of all the 2025 NHL draft-eligible players. Canada has a good defense corps, but they left off some great offensive players like Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk, so there's definitely room for Schaefer to see significant minutes at both ends of the ice. With the increased opportunity, Schaefer's tremendous skating ability, and Canada's offensive skill in the tournament, Schaefer really has a chance to thrive.” (Michael Moroz)

“He has met every challenge he's faced and even managed to exceed the very high expectations placed upon him. He's captained multiple gold medal-winning editions of Team Canada at previous age groups and stood out as one of the best players at every tournament or showcase game he's played in. Why would that stop at the World Juniors? Canada will rely on other D more but Schaefer will have a Dahlin 2018-esque tournament.” (Kyle Watson)

“The Canadian points record for a U18 defender at this tournament is 7 by Ryan Ellis. I think Schaefer can threaten that record. He was Canada’s best defender through the exhibition schedule and I think he ends up being the kind of player who rarely leaves the ice by the end of the tournament. Could this be Schaefer’s only WJC tournament for Canada? It seems like he’s the kind of player who rises to tackle any challenge and that could make him an NHL defender as early as next year.” (Brock Otten)

“Matthew Schaefer, even at only 17 years old, plays like a veteran and he is solid defensively with his mobility, in addition to creating offensively. He is the defenseman playing on the first powerplay unit for Canada and could have some ice time on the penalty kill. I was very impressed by his mature game in the first pre-tournament game against Switzerland where he looked like the number one defenseman for Canada that can do it all.” (Jeremy Rivet)

“I truly believe that if Schaefer is going to cement himself as the #1 pick in the draft, it could be here in this tournament. Whether it is U18s or the Hlinka-Gretzky, Schaefer performs and thrives on the big stage. I fully expect Schaefer to quarterback the Canada power play and earn more crucial minutes as the tournament goes on.” (Liam Staples)

“This a close one between Schaefer, Hagens, and Martone. Both Hagens and Martone will have a huge opportunity to repeat their U18 performances from April and claim this honour. However, I think Schaefer impacts his draft stock the most by becoming Canada’s all situations #1D by the end of the tournament and establishes himself as the draft’s #1 player.” (Ben Misfeldt)

“Despite his age, he'll be one of the best players on the Canadian roster and be a huge reason why they're successful. He'll also use the tournament to cement his new status as the frontrunner to go 1st overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.” (Derek Neumeier)

“Schaefer, I think he has a chance to grab a stranglehold on the #1 spot. Without Parekh on the roster in front of him, Schaefer might be able to push past Molendyk and Bonk onto the top PP unit and rack up some points.” (Jamison Derksen)

James Hagens

“James Hagens is in a great spot to succeed, he should play on the first line along with his Boston College linemates Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard. Hagens had been the front-runner for the #1 overall pick for a long time but he seems to be losing the spot to Matthew Schaefer and others. This is a great opportunity for Hagens to prove himself; do not put him out of the debate yet.” (Matej Deraj)

“He’ll be playing alongside Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault on a world stage, with Zeev Buium supporting from the back end, and other NCAA stars joining him on the PP. With an even stronger lineup, Hagens is slated to repeat his historical run at the U18s and catch lightning in a bottle once again.” (Sean Boyd)

“Playing on the big stage and wearing USA colors on a team filled with past and present teammates might just be enough to take Hagens' solid start to the next level. A line with Leonard and Perrault could be the perfect combo to put up record-breaking numbers at the WJC.” (Henry Lawrence)

Porter Martone

“Best position to succeed. His play style is pro and physical.” (Josh Klicka)

Victor Eklund

“For the average well-informed fan, the go-to answer should and would likely be US center James Hagens or perhaps Canadian winger Porter Martone. Due to Group B play and Sweden's probable role therein, I'm answering this question with the name Victor Eklund. Why? Because for anyone who has seen him in the HockeyAllsvenskan the past two years, you'll know we're talking about a winger who has no qualms or hesitation in being an active producer and skilled passer with and against men in a league that features a number of former NHLers and AHLers. His pro team Djurgarden is filled with prominent names in/on the Swedish and international scene, and he's right there contributing in a top 6 role. We love his involvement and sneaky intelligence with simply no back-down in situation where his performance belies his age. Time to go above and beyond against his peers, even if he's a good year younger than most in Ottawa this holiday season. He can do so here without having to be the star, but I'm thinking he will be.” (Chapin Landvogt)

What is the Biggest Surprise of the Tournament?

“I’ll give you two in a tournament that I don’t think has a ton of surprises. The first is that Kazakhstan gives Switzerland a close call in the round-robin and then makes a team sweat in the relegation round. Normally the promoted team from Division A doesn’t have many returning players, but this Kazakhstan team is bringing back a lot of the pieces that helped them earn promotion. It’s not the Nik Antropov era, but it’s still a chance to repeat in the main group. The second is that Sweden falls to Czechia in the round-robin and then loses in the quarterfinals to one of Canada, Finland, or the United States after the crossover. I’m just not sure this Swedish team creates enough offense through the middle of the ice to be a medal contender.” (Brock Otten)

“I guess they can no longer be called a surprise by any stretch of the imagination in light of their overall success in the past 5 WJCs, but expect the Czechs to not only finish top 2 in Group B play but then march right on to a bronze medal on the final day of the tournament. The program has not only caught itself from the developmental fallout of yesteryear (if we can call it that) but features up to 14(!) participants who are currently playing in North America, a clear advantage over just about all other European participants. *From a player standpoint, it shouldn't surprise anyone if 17-year-old David Lewandowski of Team Germany is a player we'll all be talking about and following a lot more after this tournament.” (Chapin Landvogt)

“Slovakia - this 05 group ended up 4th at the U18s two years ago and all the key players will be here. The obvious leader is Dalibor Dvorský, one of the best players of the tournament and an All-Star Team candidate. Dvorský has been great in the AHL and he’ll be ready to put Team Slovakia on his back. The returnees in defense (Maxim Štrbák, Luka Radivojevič) and offense (Juraj Pekarčík) should be able to help as well. Slovakia is also bringing some exciting talent in Tomáš Pobežal and Ján Chovan who should bring some secondary scoring. If this Slovak team is able to find a solid #1 goalie, they are able to make it to the semifinals again.” (Matej Deraj)

“Zeev Buium ties or breaks the record for most points scored by a defenceman in WJC history. Last year, Buium was the lone draft-eligible defenceman on a very offensively inclined blueline (blocked by guys like Lane Hutson and Seamus Casey) and STILL mustered 5 points in 7 games - all at even strength. This year, he's the guy - 1D, PP1 QB, all of it. With the increased role and ice-time, I think it'll be very hard to keep a talent like Buium off the score sheet 14 times.” (Felix Robbins)

“The biggest surprise will be just how big the gap is between Canada and the United States compared to all the other teams. The likes of Sweden, Finland and Czechia won't be true contenders, and there will be no feel-good Cinderella or underdog stories. Early on in the tournament, it will be obvious that it is a two-horse race this year, with those top nations cruising through the round-robin and early elimination games, while everyone else dukes it out to win bronze.” (Derek Neumeier)

“I'm curious to see what kind of performance Sweden will have in this tournament. They have 2 early first-round prospects on the backend, Willinder and Sandin-Pellikka. Can they push Sweden to the medal round? I do not think so. Sweden has the skill, but in my opinion, countries like Czechia and Finland have caught up to them talent-wise in this tournament. I think this will be another year where Sweden fails to win a medal and we see Czechia competing for a medal.” (Liam Staples)

“I think it will be that the USA will lose in the semi-final despite the quality of their roster, the fact that they won last year and that they have about 10 veterans from last year. I think because they are missing grit and leader players like they had last year with McGroarty, Snuggerud and Gauthier they will be missing an element that will make them fall short.” (Jeremy Rivet)

“Victor Eklund. He’s been the significant driving force for one of the best teams in the HockeyAllsvenskan. He’s one of few players at the World Juniors who has the experience of carrying a team to hard-earned wins at the professional level. He and Sandin-Pellikka should put on a show this year for Sweden.” (Sean Boyd)

“I’m gonna say that Tanner Howe scores at least two game-winners for Canada. I know he’ll be a depth forward on this team but it seems like every year there’s a 3rd or 4th liner that steps up when one of the top teams needs it most, and I feel like Howe can certainly be a catalyst for that with Canada.” (Jamison Derksen)

“Finland fails to medal again - they have been the talk of the tournament in years gone by, defying expectations and causing major upsets. This group, while led by talented names in Helenius, Halttunen, and Kumpalainen - doesn't have the depth or the grit to shock anyone this time around.” (Kyle Watson)

“Led by Dalibor Dvorsky, Slovakia makes the semifinals. He might just be the best player in the tournament and is playing very well in the AHL. Outside of him, Slovakia always plays hard and with good goaltending, they can come close to medaling at this year’s WJC.” (Ben Misfeldt)

“Finland. This appears to be one of the strongest rosters from Finland in the past few years. Haltunen, Helenius, Kiviharju might just give Finland enough offensive firepower to pull off an upset or two.” (Henry Lawrence)

“Gavin McKenna dominates and finishes the tournament leading the Canadian team in points, which struggled to score goals due to a lack of high-end veteran talent offensively.” (Jeremy Tremblay)

“I think even though people are saying Canada maybe didn't bring their best roster and are, on betting odds, not even favorites, easily win the gold without really ever struggling.” (Jeremi Plourde)

“USA will struggle immensely on defense and have to rely heavily on Augustine more than wanted.” (Josh Klicka)

“Kazakhstan stays alive in the top pool!” (Dave Hall)

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.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Sweden

Felix Robbins — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:00:18 +0000

Sweden made it all the way to the finals last year in Göteborg before running into the unbeaten, unstoppable force that was Team USA. While it was their best result since 2018, silver leaves a bitter taste when you have the chance for gold.

This struggle to get over the hump is nothing new. They haven’t won the gold at the U20 WJC tournament since 2012, which was somewhat seen as a Cinderella run propelled by strong team play and a heroic 9 goals from Max Friberg. That’s not for lack of talent or effort – Sweden almost always brings a star (or future star)-studded cast and typically makes it to the medal rounds. It’s just that last hurdle that seems to be the most daunting.

They had some heroic performances from the likes of Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Noah Ostlund, and goalie Hugo Hävelid. With them having aged out, Anders Lundberg and co. have had to get creative. The squad is one of the oldest rosters of the tournament, but not necessarily the most experienced. There are 5 undrafted players on the roster, as well as two players who have never represented Sweden internationally at any level before: Dennis Altörn and Rasmus Bergqvist. They’ve built a deep forward core with speed, grit, and versatility. The defensive core is mobile, physical, and can move the puck from top to bottom. The goaltending is solid from 1 to 3, which is always a plus in case something goes awry.

The roster is not without its holes. On paper, Sweden is somewhat thin down the middle. While there are a ton of talented playmakers up front, they seem to lack the goalscoring that propelled them to the finals last year. I’m not sure they have the star power they had last year, either. It’s looking like Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Otto Stenberg will have to provide the X-factor while the rest of the team backs them up, but will it be enough? To win gold in Ottawa, Sweden needs more than a deep roster. They’ll need heroism. Someone will have to emerge and play well beyond their perceived role. Who will it be?

Key Players

Axel Sandin-Pellikka

It should come as no surprise that ASP is the key player and superstar of Juniorkronora (the Swedish name for the U20 squad). He’s having a fantastic season with Skelleftea of the SHL, playing top-line minutes and leading the league in points scored by a defenceman. With Sweden, he’ll bear the same responsibilities and then some. He’s the 1D. The PP1 quarterback. A supremely mobile, gifted puck mover. A venerable triple threat on offence. The defensive zone play has taken a step. It’ll all have to come together in Ottawa. The expectations for him are sky-high, and not unfairly so. He has to be perfect. He has to tilt the ice for Sweden if they want to win the gold.

Otto Stenberg

You might not believe it based on his stat line in the SHL with Malmö this year, but this was the most obvious pick for Sweden to make. There’s something about that yellow and blue jersey that makes Stenberg go absolutely nuclear – even in his draft year with the u18 squad. With the rather disappointing year he’s had so far, one that has seen his ice time dwindling as the season has gone on, I’ll bet he’s eager to put that jersey on again. We know what Stenberg provides for Sweden internationally: high-end offensive output and point-per-game production. Heck, he put up 9 points in 7 games with an average TOI of 14 minutes last year! With this being his last year of WJC eligibility, he’ll most likely be on the 1st line and play against the biggest stars of the tournament. For Sweden to have a shot at gold, Stenberg is going to have to repeat his international heroics versus the best of the best. For Sweden’s sake, and his own.

David Edstrom

After playing a solid 3C role at last year's WJC, Edstrom is poised to take on a 1C role this year. I can’t help but feel like him assuming that role is more a matter of circumstance rather than Edstrom being “the guy”. Don’t get me wrong, Edstrom is a solid player. He’s strung together a great season as a top 6 center with Frölunda, one of the top clubs in the SHL this year. The Nashville (formerly of Vegas and San Jose) prospect is a versatile, intelligent two-way center who can handle whatever challenge is thrown at him without flinching. He can do a little bit of everything and do it well, which is always appreciated. However, he lacks a certain dynamic quality that one would typically associate with a top-line center. Against the best of the best under-twenties, he’ll have to find another gear. Whether it be lockdown defence, torrential offensive output, or both, Edstrom will need to fill the shoes he’s wearing – or Sweden may go home.

Theo Lindstein

Lindstein surprised everybody by standing out as Sweden’s most impactful blueliner in Göteborg by counting stats, posting both the highest +/- on the team and scoring the most points by any defenceman at the tournament. It was a no-brainer for Sweden to bring him back this year. Lindstein is a prime example of how successful a defenceman can be if they just keep it simple. He’s not the most exciting player to watch, but he possesses fluid 4-way mobility and makes good decisions with the puck. He’ll kill plays defensively, make a good first pass, and get some shots through from the point. His understated effect on play in all three zones is what has propelled him to the 1st pair on Brynäs IF, last year’s top HockeyAllsvenskan club and this year’s best in the SHL. Lindstein should reprise his role on the top pair for Sweden, as well as on the 1st PK unit. The St. Louis prospect will have to hope lightning strikes twice and that he can repeat his inspired performance in Ottawa.

Felix Unger Sorum

After impressing the hockey world at the Hurricanes training camp heading into the 2023-2024 season, Unger Sorum finally made the jump across the pond with a productive SHL and international season under his belt. However, after scoring just 5 points in 20 games in the AHL, the hype train has slowed down substantially and he is once again flying under the radar. Despite the growing pains, Unger Sorum is still a high-end passer and playmaker. His vision is ridiculous. What he lacks in footspeed and quickness, he makes up for in tenacity and IQ. He surprised everyone (including myself, who had him as a sleeper pick) by putting up 6 points in 7 games in very limited minutes last year for Sweden. This year, as one of the few true offensive players on the roster, he’ll have the chance to put up a whole lot more points in a much bigger role. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the top power-play unit either. However, with great power comes great responsibility. He’ll have to execute in his bigger role for Sweden to be able to keep up with the other powerhouses of the tournament.

Victor Eklund

After starting his draft year off with a bang, Victor has the honour of doing something his brother William never got to do: Represent his country at the biggest international junior tournament there is. While one would typically place lower expectations on a first-time draft eligible at a tournament like this, Eklund is different. Eklund has been exceptional at the HockeyAllsvenskan level, tallying 15 points in 24 games for Djurgården and playing a key role in their early success this season. Sweden will be banking on him keeping form in Ottawa. Eklund is a gamer. He’s a sparkplug. He just goes. His excellent mix of motor and skill makes him the perfect pace-pushing offensive winger for your top 6. He might end up being one of Sweden’s most important forwards when its all said and done.

Melker Thelin

Inheriting the net from a goalie who showed as fantastically as Hävelid did last year is a daunting task, but Thelin is the man for the job. The Utah prospect should be a lock as the starting netminder for Sweden given he is the only returning goalie from last year. However, I would have penciled him in regardless. A good goalie always gives his team a chance to win every night. Well, Thelin has been doing just that as the 1B in Björklöven IF’s rock-solid goalie tandem, backstopping them all the way to 2nd place in the standings. He’s cool as a cucumber in the crease. He tracks pucks well, moves efficiently, and makes himself big in the net with good positioning and fundamentals. With Sweden’s defensive depth being as strong as it is on paper, all Thelin has to do is hold down the fort and keep a cool head against some of the best young players in the world. Easier said than done, right?

Tom Willander

There seems to be a theme with Sweden’s D core. The right side moves the puck, the left side hits anything that moves. This trend continues with Willander. He’s been a great all-situations defenceman and puck distributor on the power play for Boston University this year, but he’s at his best when moving his feet and getting that puck up ice. If he’s feeling daring, he can effortlessly activate below the blue line and make some passing plays. He’s shown that he can anchor the middle pair defensively in last year’s WJC run. Since it’s unlikely that he will jump ASP in the depth chart, I have him penciled into the same spot this year. He’ll have to be just as sharp, with the key difference being that he’ll have more freedom to move pucks and provide offence from the blue line since he’ll most likely be attached to someone more defensively inclined.

Linus Eriksson

I was surprised to see Eriksson’s name on the final roster for Sweden, but it was a welcome surprise. Sweden needs all the help down the middle they can get. After captaining the U18 WJC roster last year, Eriksson hasn’t gotten off to the start he’s wanted to this season. The Florida prospect missed a good chunk of September/October with injury and has been gradually getting himself up to speed with Djurgården in the HockeyAllsvenskan. Presumably, he will be 100% good to go once the tournament starts. Sweden will need his smarts, his leadership, and his strong two-way game at center – and you can’t go wrong with more playmaking prowess in the lineup either. Eriksson should feature on both the PK and the PP in some capacity, which helps deepen Sweden’s roster substantially.

Felix Nilsson

Despite going 43rd overall in one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, Felix Nilsson is arguably one of the most underrated forwards to come out of Sweden since his draft year. This is further highlighted by the fact that he has never represented Sweden at the WJC at any age – until now. One could say that Nilsson has been a bit of a late bloomer. The Nashville prospect has put together a great season with the SHL’s Rögle BK, racking up 12 points in 20 games, all the while playing around 16 minutes a night and practically running the 1st powerplay unit. Nilsson is a speedy playmaking forward who just seems to do everything right out on the ice. Equal parts intelligence and hard work on both sides of the puck. He’ll most likely be the 3rd, maybe even the 2nd line center for Sweden.

Sleeper Player

Oskar Vuollet

The forward core that Sweden has brought with them to Ottawa is heavy on playmakers and energy guys. Don’t get me wrong, you need those kinds of guys. However, they’re not too deep down the middle and, with the gaping hole that Lekkerimaki left, they’re even thinner on finishers. If there is one player on this team who can absolutely rip the puck, and who could be poised to take on a bigger-than-anticipated role, it’s Oskar Vuollet. The Hurricanes prospect got off to a white-hot start to his SHL year, scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in October before promptly cooling off. Despite the drop-off in scoring, Vuollet has other ways of sticking in the lineup by being an active and energetic forechecker. With all the playmaking talent on the roster, Vuollet’s ability to put the puck in the net is something that could decide games, even Sweden’s tournament life on the whole.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Slovakia

Matej Deraj — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:00:54 +0000

Slovakia had a strong team last year, featuring eleven drafted players, including three first-rounders: Dalibor Dvorský, Samuel Honzek, and Filip Mešár. Despite their potential, their medal ambitions fell short after a quarterfinal overtime loss to Finland. This year, Ivan Feneš’ squad is aiming for redemption, but advancing past the quarterfinals could be a serious challenge.

Slovakia’s top player is undoubtedly the returning Dalibor Dvorský. The Blues prospect (#10 in the 2023 NHL Draft) is having an excellent season with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL, where he is one of the team’s best players. His first NHL call-up seems imminent, but first, he will take part in his fifth (!) World Juniors, counting the cancelled 2022 tournament that was rescheduled and played again later in the summer.

The 2005 Slovak birth year group lacks the star power of the previous year but still boasts valuable experience, with key returnees like Dvorský, defenseman Maxim Štrbák or forward Juraj Pekarčík. Younger draft-eligible players, such as forwards Tomáš Pobežal and Ján Chovan, or a puck-moving defenceman Luka Radivojevič, who already made his WJC debut last year, add fresh talent and energy to the roster.

Slovakia will compete in a group with Sweden, Czechia, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan. A top-two finish in the group would definitely improve their chances of reaching the semifinals. While Slovakia hasn’t advanced to the final four at the U20 level since winning bronze in 2015, they’ve had recent success at the U18 level, finishing 4th in both 2023 and 2024. Many players from those U18 squads are on the current roster, bringing valuable experience to the World Juniors stage.

Ultimately, Slovakia’s medal hopes rest heavily on Dvorský’s performance. If he delivers a standout tournament and receives strong secondary scoring support from the rest of the forwards, as well as reliable goaltending, Slovakia could make a surprising run to the final four. The team’s depth, talent, and defensive structure are strengths, but a true No. 1 goalie will be crucial. The round-robin game against Czechia could be a good test of which team is better positioned to contend for a medal.

Key Players

Dalibor Dvorský, C

Dvorský is one of the best players of the whole tournament and he should be the undisputed leader of the Slovak team. He's having a great season in the AHL and Slovakia will definitely benefit from having him on the roster. Dvorský is a talented shooter who can really rip the puck, he has great offensive skills and plays a decent two-way game as a centre. He's playing at his 5^th World Juniors (including the cancelled 2022 tournament), but it hasn't always been sure if the Blues let him go. Thankfully for Slovakia, he will appear in Ottawa to help his team have a successful tournament.

Maxim Štrbák, D

Štrbák is also going to play at his 5^th U20 tournament, which has never happened before. The Sabres prospect was already a true #1 defenceman for Slovakia last year due to Šimon Nemec´s absence and is looking forward to reprising that role this year. Štrbák is a two-way defenceman with a solid frame and compete level who defends well. He does have some offence to his game, which is evident when playing for Team Slovakia, but he's not a typical powerplay quarterback and will likely give up that position to Luka Radivojevič. Štrbák should, however, play the most minutes on the team.

Juraj Pekarčík, LW/RW

Pekarčík is a 3^rd round pick from the 2023 draft, he was selected by the same team as Dvorský (the Blues). He's the expected linemate of the Slovak star as they played together at the U18 World Championship and did extremely well. Pekarčík is a great playmaker, he´s mobile and has a decent size. He works hard and goes to the net. His play makes him a great complementary winger. He should be able to help with scoring points and playing a lot of minutes.

Luka Radivojevič, D

Radivojevič stunned the world at the last U20 tournament, where he dressed for Slovakia as a 16-year-old and didn't look out of pace at all. He even scored his first goal and got some looks on the powerplay. A year later, Radivojevič should be the PP1 quarterback and get the offensive zone starts. He is a smaller defenceman with great mobility and offensive creativity, he uses his stick well and likes to play with the puck on his stick. Radivojevič had previously been hyped to be selected in the teens of the upcoming draft, which might not be the case anymore, due to his early season struggles. However, should he play a great tournament, his stock would likely go up.

Tomáš Pobežal, C/W

Pobežal is an exciting young forward, he missed last year´s tournament due to injury, but he's ready for his first World Juniors appearance now. Pobežal is having a great draft year in Slovak top-tier league, scoring twelve goals in twenty-six games. The scoring pace is unusual for a first-year draft-eligible player in a challenging pro league; only Marián Hossa and Marián Gáborík managed to score more goals in their DY. Pobežal is a versatile forward with a high compete level who's always trying to be engaged, either in creating chances and getting to dangerous spots in offence, or finishing checks and taunting opponents to get under their skin. An exciting player to watch.

Samuel Urban, G

The athletic goalie went undrafted for two years, not even a great performance at the U18 World Championship could help him to get selected. Urban played a huge role in Slovakia´s success at that tournament and now he'll need to be on top of his game again to help his team achieve a successful result. Urban is the projected starter; he's played a ton of games in the USHL and has always been a reliable option for this Slovak group at the international level. He´s a bit smaller (6´1”), but an extremely athletic goalie who has the tools to bring a great performance.

Adam Cedzo, RW

Cedzo was the third guy on the elite Slovak line which helped the team tremendously to reach the semifinals at the 2023 U18 World Championship. He is a skilled forward with silky hands but a strong wrister, making him a huge powerplay threat to give Slovakia another option other than just passing to Dvorský all the time. Cedzo has played in a second-tier Czech league for the past two years. He’s a smaller forward, but competes hard and helps his team to win.

Jakub Chromiak, D

Chromiak had struggled for the past two years in the OHL, but he's been having a much better season this year with the Kitchener Rangers. He is a two-way defenceman who has always shown his offensive abilities but wasn't able to progress as much as expected. He should be an important defenceman for Slovakia, if they are able to fit him on a power play, it should be even better. Chromiak has a decent shot and other offensive qualities, such as vision and passing.

Samuel Barcík, D

Barcík has been a pleasant surprise in the Slovak top-tier league, playing well on one of the best teams in the league and even running a powerplay at some point. He's more of a defensive defenceman; he's strong, uses his body well and throws hits. He does have a booming shot and some offence to his game as well. Barcík has been a member of the Slovak junior teams in the past, but he's going to play at his first World Juniors.

Daniel Jenčko, LW/C

Jenčko has been playing well in the NCAA at UMass, scoring seven points in nine games as a freshman in college. He spent two years in Sweden prior to moving to the US, first to the USHL and now he's in the NCAA. He´s a speedy forward with a decent playmaking game and vision. Jenčko has some two-way qualities to his game as well, although he's been playing more at the wing. He should be able to provide some secondary scoring.

Sleeper Player

Ján Chovan, RW/C

Chovan is an intriguing player for the 2025 NHL Draft. He´s big, strong and extremely well-rounded – able to play centre and wing, on the power play and penalty kill, boasting decent two-way skills. There are not many exciting draft eligibles playing in Finland this year, but Chovan is definitely among them. He's one of the youngest players on the Slovak squad and the draft eligibles tend to have a longer adjusting period, especially to the pace, at their first World Juniors. However, this is a great opportunity for Chovan to show his game at a bigger stage and display his skill.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Kazakhstan

Brock Otten — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:00:06 +0000

Usually, the challenge for any team elevated to the top pool for the World Juniors is replicating the success they had last year with a largely different collection of players. The promotion event (Division 1A) occurs the year before, often leaving promoted teams scrambling to fill gaps left by the talented players who had helped them win, but have now aged out. Fortunately, for Kazakhstan, that’s not quite the case, offering a glimmer of hope that the team can be competitive in the main draw. They return starting goaltender (and Ottawa Senators draft pick) Vladimir Nikitin, in addition to their top-scoring forward (Davlat Nurkenov) and top defender (Beibarys Orazov).

The fact that Kazakhstan is here at all is surprising, to say the least. Many people expected Denmark to earn a promotion, carried by Seattle Kraken second-round selection Oscar Fisker Mølgaard. However, they struggled with consistency and Kazakhstan, thanks to the outstanding goaltending of Nikitin, were the ones to capture the crown. This is Kazakhstan’s first time at the main event since 2020, and long gone are the “Nik Antropov days”, when the country played with the main group from 1998 to 2001. Of course, in that era, Kazakhstan's storied upset over Canada in a placement game occurred. They are going to have to upset one of Czechia, Sweden, Slovakia, or Switzerland in order to avoid the relegation round. Stranger things have happened at this event, but sledding uphill would be the phrase that best describes their chances. It does seem likely that the team is destined to face off against one of Latvia or Germany in the relegation round, again, a game where they would be considerable underdogs.

Key Players

Vladimir Nikitin - Goaltender

The best goaltender and top player at last year’s Division 1A tournament, Nikitin was the main reason why Kazakhstan earned promotion. The 6’5, Ottawa Senators 7th round selection played last year with Chilliwack of the BCHL and there was some thought that he’d stay in North America this year, hoping to be selected in the CHL Import Draft or play with Cedar Rapids of the USHL after being drafted by them. However, he returned home to Kazakhstan and has had a pretty pedestrian year in the MHL in a platoon role. He’s going to need to stand on his head again if Kazakhstan hopes to avoid relegation.

Asanali Sarkenov - Wing

After a standout performance at last year’s U18s, Sarkenov was selected by Spokane in the Import draft and he’s had a pretty go first year in the WHL in a support role for a solid Chiefs team. The big winger brings it physically and he’s going to be a valuable piece for Kazakhstan as they try to gain and maintain possession in the offensive end against more talented and experienced countries.

Beibarys Orazov - Defense

The top defender on last year’s team that earned promotion, Orazov is going to be an absolute workhorse for this team, likely playing close to 30 minutes per game. He’s played the majority of the year in the KHL with Barys Astana and his experience playing against men is going to serve him incredibly well at this event.

Alexander Kim - Wing

Not many players on this Kazakhstan roster play in North America, but Kim is one of them. A member of the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL, Kim is a key returnee and will be counted upon to play in all situations. He’s one of the most skilled players on this team and he’ll be counted upon to be a primary play driver.

Kirill Lyapunov - Center

Another returning player, Lyapunov is the top candidate to play on the team’s top line, although he does have positional versatility that could see him centring the second line. He’s been over a point-per-game player in the MHL this year. Lyapunov is a tenacious, but skilled player who plays more of a North American style of game, something that could help him stand out in this tournament.

Semyon Simonov - Wing

You guessed it, another returning player from last year’s top Division 1A squad. Simonov is likely to be the team’s top goal-scoring option. He has 9 goals in 15 games in the MHL this year and has also played some games in the KHL. He was excellent for Kazakhstan in an exhibition tournament in November involving Russia and Belarus.

Adil Beisembayev - Center

The top candidate to center the Kazakhstan top line, Beisembayev did just that at the exhibition tournament in November. He’s also returning from last year’s team and has been a standout at the MHL level with Snezhnye Barsy Astana. He has the size to handle the physicality of other top teams in their division and he may also be a candidate to wear a letter for this roster.

Sleeper Player

Davlat Nurkenov - Wing

The team’s leading scorer at last year’s promotion event, Nurkenov is listed as a sleeper because he has yet to play a game this season for Assat’s U20 team in the Finnish junior league. Is he healthy enough to play in this tournament? He’s been named to the preliminary roster, but is that wishful thinking? We’ll have to see whether they have their top offensive weapon at their disposal or not.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Canada

Derek Neumeier — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:30 +0000

_{GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - DECEMBER 27: Latvia vs Canada Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scandinavium on December 27, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)}

For every Canadian contingent at the annual World Juniors tournament, there is only one goal, one standard that is strived for: winning gold. Anything less than that is considered a failure.

At the same time, however, there are still different degrees of failure that exist for the hockey juggernaut when it comes to this event. So when Canada only finished 5th last year, after being bounced by Czechia in the quarterfinals and getting sent home before they were even able to compete for a medal of any colour, it was nothing short of a catastrophe on all fronts.

The good news is that it's still possible to turn last year's outcome into little more than a blip in the country's long history of World Juniors success stories. After all, Canada had won gold the two preceding years, and then again two years before that.

And perhaps the host city for this year's tournament is a good omen for a comeback. Not only will Canada have the advantage of playing on home soil, but they'll be doing so again in Ottawa, where they emerged victorious back in 2009, which was the fifth iteration in an incredible stretch of five consecutive championships. That also happened to be one of the most iconic Canadian performances ever in this tournament, from the violent drama of the New Year's Eve match against the United States to Jordan Eberle's game-tying goal against Russia in the semifinals, to a masterful, top-to-bottom assault that stunned Sweden in the deciding game.

This year won’t be a cakewalk, however. The Americans are dangerous and seen by many as the favorites coming in, younger players than usual will be tasked with important roles, and some very highly-regarded names were controversially left off the team in an attempt to strike a better kind of balance within the roster, decisions that will be scrutinized even further if Canada underperforms expectations.

The stakes are high and the pressure is mounting. Now it’s time to see what these Canadian players are made of.

Key Players

Cole Beaudoin, Center

Anyone who might feel skeptical about Beaudoin making this team needs to go back and watch the gold-medal game of the 2024 IIHF U18s, between Canada and the United States. He was nothing short of fantastic in that pivotal contest, scoring a 3rd-period goal and putting in stalwart defensive work throughout his 20 minutes of ice time, especially when Canada was defending their lead late against a final American push. That was a quintessential Beaudoin performance, showing him at the peak of what his impact can be as a workhorse center who has no trouble carrying a heavy load. And because he's so experienced, comfortable and effective with how he plays it makes it easy for his coaches to know exactly how to use him. Any time Canada needs to close out a win in this tournament you can be sure that Beaudoin will be coming over the boards.

Oliver Bonk, Defense

Bonk is usually not particularly entertaining to watch, but he's the type of player that you could set your watch to. When it comes to producing consistently solid two-way hockey as a defenseman, he is nearly unparalleled for this age group. He can eat up a lot of minutes in all situations and rarely leaves his team in a worse spot than the one that they were in when he stepped onto the ice. And perhaps most crucially, after back-to-back appearances in the OHL finals with the London Knights, one trip to the Memorial Cup, and him being a returnee for this tournament, he's not likely to be intimidated or thrown off of his game by the bright spotlight that will be shining directly on him and the rest of the home team. If he can act as a calming presence for this blueline it could make a bigger difference than most spectators realize.

Berkly Catton, Center

Getting the opportunity to don the maple leaf will be a thrill for every player on this roster, but it's safe to assume that Catton will be a little extra excited about it. He was nothing short of heroic last year for a young and outgunned Spokane Chiefs club, playing a mind-boggling amount of minutes and putting in an immeasurable amount of work to help his team make the playoffs, often lifting them up single-handedly. Unfortunately for him, that long grind took a toll on his body and forced him to sit out last spring's IIHF U18 tournament due to injury, denying him the chance to improve upon the bronze medal that he won in the same event the year prior as an underage player. Now that he's healthy again and surrounded by a strong supporting cast we could really see him thrive in Ottawa, using his elite hockey sense, lighting-quick acceleration and deep bag of puck tricks to carve up enemy defenses.

Easton Cowan, Wing

Over the past couple of years Cowan has become fondly known by his nickname of "Cowboy," and a large part of why he's so successful as a prospect is because he knows how to bring a lot of "yeehaw" to how he plays. To put it another way, his work rate and tenacity are unmatched, his enthusiasm and confidence are infectious, and he's utterly fearless when it comes to any challenge that he faces. The effect of those intangibles is just as pronounced and impactful as what he actually does with the puck on his stick, which is also quite a lot, including routinely making big plays in big, game-deciding moments. Unlike most of his teammates, Cowan has yet to ever win an international gold medal with Canada, so he might be especially motivated in Ottawa by the chance to finally cross that kind of dreamed-about milestone off of his career to-do list.

Sam Dickinson, Defense

To say that Dickinson has been unstoppable in the OHL so far this season might still be selling it short. He's produced a staggering 46 points in 26 games, which is not only the most among all defenders in that league, but also put him in the Top 10 of overall scoring before he headed to Canada's selection camp. His success stems primarily from his combination of a 6-foot-3 frame, exceptional athleticism and explosive skating prowess. The way he can rush the puck up the ice is frequently jaw-dropping, and he is making progress with learning how to use those same tools to be a moving wall defensively. There are still some hiccups with his decision-making and puck management, so his coaches will need to be careful with his usage in such a short tournament, but if they ever need to increase the pace of a game or push for a much-needed goal then he'll be a go-to option.

Carter George, Goaltender

It shouldn't come as a surprise that George made this roster, given his prior success for Canada internationally. He backstopped his home nation to two gold medals just last year, first at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and then at the 2024 IIHF U18s, and was named the best goaltender at the latter event. He's about as focused and unflappable as goalies come at this age group, regardless of whether he's facing a barrage of shots all game or only periodic chances, and he's previously shown the ability to shut out all the outside noise and pressure that often sinks Canadian netminders in best-on-best competition. George might not outright steal any games in this tournament, but that's alright because he shouldn't have to. If he can manage his crease with poise and consistency that should be enough to lead his team to victory.

Gavin McKenna, Wing

Like Connor Bedard three years ago, and Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby going even further back, McKenna was named to a Canadian World Juniors roster before he reached his 17th birthday because of his sheer amounts of skill, hockey sense and potential to be a difference-maker were all simply too high to leave him off, regardless of his age. The reigning CHL Rookie of the Year leads the WHL in scoring heading into the holiday break thanks to his dazzling puck control, incisive vision and the competitive chip on his shoulder. McKenna is currently the scouting industry's consensus projection to become the 1st-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and that distinction will be further cemented if he shines bright in Ottawa, which is a likely outcome given his track record and body of work up to this point in his career.

Bradly Nadeau, Wing

Nadeau is the only member of this Canadian roster who has been playing hockey full-time at a professional level this season (with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, where he has an impressive 15 points in 22 games), which will help minimize this particular advantage that is always held by the top European clubs, who routinely bring multiple players with pro experience. He also might be something of a wildcard for this team, because he's highly talented and has been enjoying a steep upward trajectory with his development in recent years, yet this will be his first time representing Canada internationally. If everything comes together just right for Nadeau he could be a top player in this event, showing off his slippery transition play and booming slapshot, and using the opportunity as a springboard to turn him into a much bigger name in the hockey world.

Cal Ritchie, Center

Ritchie is one of three players on this roster who have already dressed for NHL regular-season games, though he's the only one so far who has collected his first goal at the sport's highest level. He probably could have stuck around all season in Colorado and succeeded, but getting to chase a gold medal at the World Juniors was one of the reasons why the Avalanche chose to send him back down to the OHL one last time. The big, abundantly skilled center is scoring at a pace of nearly two points per game with his club team in Oshawa and might be Canada's single-best offensive weapon here, especially considering he's older and more experienced than most of the others who will be wearing the maple leaf. He can generate offense in any way that he wants to, and can do so at both even strength and on the power play.

Matthew Schaefer, Defense

Just how special is Schaefer as a prospect? Let's put it this way: he is the first 17-year-old defenseman to be named to a Canadian World Juniors roster since Ryan Ellis, all the way back at the 2009 tournament. And there is a long list of great Canadian defensemen who came around between then and now but didn't get that privilege. When you watch him play he certainly doesn't look his age, with a poise and maturity well beyond his years, and he has an expert understanding of how to use his sublime skating ability to be a difference-maker all over the ice. Schaefer is one of only three players to ever win gold at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF U18s and the Hlinka, and if he adds another one to his trophy case here it will break even more new ground and add another chapter to an already remarkable story that he has only just begun writing for himself.

Sleeper Player

Carson Bjarnason, Goaltender

While Carter George comes into this tournament as Canada's expected number-one goalie, there's still a real chance that Bjarnason will take over the reins at some point and hold onto them in the elimination games. He doesn't have the same track record of international success that George does, but he's a year older, he's bigger, and he's faster in his movements. An argument could rationally be made that, on paper, Bjarnason is the better goalie at this point in time. There are still some consistency issues in his game, but he's pulled off more than a few show-stopping performances in his years in Brandon, and a goalie only needs to stay hot for a few matches in a row to lead his team to glory at the World Juniors. If he turns out to have the hottest hand among the Canadian goalies then his coaches would be remiss to not put their trust in him.