World Junior Championship preview: Top contenders, key players to watch

The World Junior Hockey Championship: A Holiday Tradition for Hockey Fans

Ah, the holidays! A time for family, festivities, and for hockey fans, the World Junior Hockey Championship. This annual event is a staple for those who love the sport, offering a chance to see the future stars of hockey in action. This year, the tournament is being held in Ottawa, Canada, and promises to be a thrilling showcase of young talent.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The absence of Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini might have some fans feeling a bit disappointed. These two young stars are still eligible to play but have chosen to stay with their NHL teams. But fear not! Their absence opens the door for other prospects to step into the spotlight and make a name for themselves.

As always, every team enters the tournament with dreams of a medal, and this year, five or six teams have a legitimate shot at gold. Canada and the United States are perennial favorites, while Sweden and Finland are always in the mix. Czechia and Slovakia, meanwhile, are known for their ability to pull off upsets.

The tournament is packed with first-round picks and players expected to be drafted in the top five of upcoming drafts. It’s a stage set for highlight-reel plays, heart-stopping mistakes, and moments of pure joy and heartbreak.

Predicting the outcome of such an unpredictable tournament is a fool’s errand. Every year, there’s a Cinderella story, a team that disappoints, and players who announce themselves as potential stars. This year, fans will be introduced to the likes of James Hagens (U.S., 2025 draft-eligible), Matthew Schaefer (Canada, 2025), and Gavin McKenna (Canada, 2026). They’ll also see familiar faces like Dalibor Dvorsky, Ryan Leonard, Zeev Buium, Konsta Helenius, and Brayden Yager.

Let’s take a closer look at the teams, starting with Group A, which includes Canada, Finland, Germany, Latvia, and the United States. Group B features Czechia, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland. Here’s a breakdown of what each team is bringing to the ice, presented in reverse order of competitiveness:

• Kazakhstan

  Kazakhstan faces a tough challenge in this tournament and is likely to find itself in the relegation round. The team benefits from continuity, with many players centralized on one team for the season. Asanali Sarkenov is the lone Canadian Hockey League (CHL) player for Kazakhstan, playing for the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL.

• Latvia

  Latvia brings two NHL draftees to the tournament, Darels Uljanskis (Anaheim) and Eriks Mateiko (Washington), along with nine returnees from last year’s team in Sweden. While they lack a true standout talent, Latvia is known for being a scrappy, hard-working team capable of surprising a traditional power. Their most important game will be against Germany, likely determining which team makes the quarterfinals and which plays in the relegation round.

• Germany

  Germany enters the tournament with a young team, missing the eye-popping talent of recent years. Their only NHL draftee, Norwin Panocha (Buffalo), will play a crucial shutdown role on the blue line. The strength of the team lies in its defense, with Paul Mayer and Lua Niehus returning. Offensively, the Germans will rely on David Lewandowski (2025), Julius Sumpf, and Lenny Boos. A solid showing in the quarterfinals would be considered a success for this young team.

• Switzerland

  Switzerland is a potential Cinderella story this year, led by Ewan Huet, son of Stanley Cup champion Cristobal Huet. While the Swiss lack the talent to get past the quarterfinals on paper, Huet’s performance could be a game-changer. Key players include Leon Muggli (Washington) and Ludvig Johnson on the blue line, and Lars Steiner, Jamiro Reber, and Jan Dorthe up front. The game against Czechia may be their opportunity to make noise.

• Czechia

  Czechia is always an intriguing team, known for its talented players and inconsistent goaltending. This year, they have the potential for both highs and lows. Michael Hrabal (Utah) is the clear starter in goal, while Adam Jiricek (St. Louis) and Jakub Dvorak (Los Angeles) will lead the defense. Offensively, Eduard Sale (Seattle), Miroslav Holinka (Toronto), and Adam Jecho (St. Louis) will be key players. If Hrabal performs at his best, Czechia could finish second in Group B.

• Slovakia

  Slovakia is coming off a strong performance in last year’s tournament and has high expectations this year. Key players include Maxim Strbak (Buffalo), Luka Radivojevic, and Dalibor Dvorsky (St. Louis). Samuel Urban will tend the goal, and Radivojevic is expected to draw attention from scouts. Slovakia has the potential to medal with its game-breaking talent and excellent goaltending.

• Finland

  Finland finds itself in the “group of death” with Canada and the United States. While they lack superstar talent, Finland has excellent depth at every position. Petteri Rimpinen is projected to start in goal, and Aron Kiviharju (Minnesota) leads a strong blue line. Offensively, Konsta Helenius (Buffalo) and Jesse Kiiskinen (Detroit) will be key players. Finland’s special teams should be among the best in the tournament, making them a legitimate threat to medal.

• Sweden

  Sweden is the favorite to top Group B, with high expectations after last year’s silver medal performance. Key players include Axel Sandin-Pellikka (Detroit), Theo Lindstein (St. Louis), and Tom Willander (Vancouver) on defense, and Otto Stenberg (St. Louis), David Edstrom (Nashville), and Felix Unger Sorum (Carolina) up front. Sweden’s depth and returning players make them a strong contender for gold.

• United States

  The United States is looking to defend its gold medal, with Trey Augustine (Detroit) returning as the starting goaltender. Zeev Buium (Minnesota) and Drew Fortescue (New York Rangers) lead the defense, while James Hagens, Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers), and Ryan Leonard (Washington) are key offensive players. The U.S. has a balanced team capable of winning gold.

• Canada

  Canada is eager to bounce back from last year’s disappointing performance. Key players include Calum Ritchie (Colorado), Jett Luchanko (Philadelphia), and Brayden Yager (Winnipeg). Gavin McKenna is a potential X factor, while Tanner Molendyk (Nashville) and Oliver Bonk (Philadelphia) lead the defense. Canada’s success will depend on its special teams and avoiding self-inflicted mistakes.

As we look forward to the tournament, it’s important to remember that these are young players still developing both physically and emotionally. The World Junior Hockey Championship is a chance to see future stars in action, but it’s also a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement that makes this tournament a fan favorite. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions. One thing is for sure: we’re bound to be entertained.