The world junior hockey championship has produced memorable moments and breathtaking performances.
This yr’s match in Ottawa ought to provide the identical degree of leisure as the following era of stars skate into the showcase occasion’s highlight.
The Canadian Press seems to be at among the gamers to observe within the nation’s capital when the annual under-20 occasion will get going Thursday.
Gavin McKenna — Canada
The 17-year-old ahead from Whitehorse — his birthday was final week — is projected because the No. 1 choice on the 2026 NHL draft. McKenna, who performs for the Medication Hat Tigers, leads the Western Hockey League with 60 factors in 30 video games this season.
He might be seeking to observe within the footsteps of latest underage Canadian world junior standouts Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini after additionally serving to his nation win gold on the under-18 world championship and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
James Hagens — United States
The freshman ahead out of Boston School is within the dialog because the potential prime decide on the upcoming NHL draft in June. Hagens has 20 factors throughout 16 video games within the NCAA to date in 2024-25. The 18-year-old might be relied on for offence because the People look to go back-to-back after successful final yr’s match in Sweden
Easton Cowan — Canada
The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect is on a 56-game level streak within the Ontario Hockey League with the London Knights. Cowan seems to be set to begin on the host nation’s prime line alongside Callum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau after enjoying a supporting position on the 2024 occasion when Canada completed a disappointing fifth.
The 19-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont., who has 28 factors in 20 video games with London, obtained a protracted take a look at Leafs coaching camp within the fall earlier than being returned to junior.
Matthew Schaefer — Canada
The 17-year-old defenceman from Hamilton is one other participant within the combine to go No. 1 on the 2025 NHL draft. Schaefer’s skating and smarts separate him from the pack, and he figures to play a key position for Canada. The blue liner has 22 factors in 17 video games for the OHL’s Erie Otters after overcoming mononucleosis early on this season. Schaefer is one other double winner at the latest U18 worlds and Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Ryan Leonard — U.S.
The Washington Capitals prospect iced final yr’s remaining with a surprising particular person effort in opposition to Sweden within the gold-medal recreation. Leonard has 19 factors in 16 contests this season enjoying on a line with Hagens and fellow U.S. ahead Gabe Perreault at Boston School. The 19-year-old might be seeking to do the identical in Ottawa.
Porter Martone — Canada
The 18-year-old energy ahead from Peterborough, Ont., is one other potential prime decide in June. Martone and his six-foot-three, 208-pound body can typically be discovered wreaking havoc in entrance of the opposition internet. Martone has 54 factors in 26 video games this season for the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads on the heels of U18 and Hlinka Gretzky Cup triumphs with McKenna and Schaefer.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka — Sweden
The 19-year-old defenceman has performed professionally on residence soil the final three seasons, together with in 2023-24 when Skelleftea AIK topped the league. The primary-round decide of the Detroit Crimson Wings has 22 factors in 25 video games this season and might be suiting up on the world juniors for a 3rd time.
Konsta Helenius — Finland
The 18-year-old Buffalo Sabres prospect has spent 2024-25 within the American Hockey League. Helenius was loaned to his nationwide staff by the NHL membership after placing up 17 factors in 28 video games with the Rochester People. The centre spent the final two seasons enjoying in Finland’s prime league with Mikkelin Jukurit.
Victor Eklund — Sweden
One other participant projected to go excessive on the 2025 NHL draft, the 18-year-old winger has performed professionally the final two seasons in his nation’s second division with Djurgardens IF. Eklund has 15 factors in 24 video games because the storied membership seems to be to win promotion and return to Sweden’s prime circuit.
Eduard Sale — Czech Republic
The Seattle Kraken prospect is one other AHL participant launched to his nation for the match. Sale has 13 factors in 23 video games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds to date in 2024-25. The 19-year-old ahead, who might be enjoying at his third world juniors after serving to Czechia earn bronze final yr and silver in 2023, had seven factors in seven video games on the 2024 match.
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