The globe junior hockey champion has really created exceptional minutes and spectacular efficiencies.
This yr’s occasion in Ottawa ought to supply the exact same diploma of enjoyment as the long run technology of celebrities skate proper into the show event’s limelight.
The Canadian Press considers just a few of the players to see within the nation’s assets when the yearly under-20 event begins Thursday.
Gavin McKenna– Canada
The 17-year-old onward from Whitehorse– his birthday celebration was just lately– is forecasted as theNo 1 alternative on the 2026 NHL draft. McKenna, that bets the Medicine Hat Tigers, leads the Western Hockey League with 60 components in 30 video video games this era.
He will definitely be desirous to adjust to within the steps of present underage Canadian globe junior standouts Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini after likewise aiding his nation win gold on the under-18 globe champion and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
James Hagens– United States
The brisker onward out of Boston College stays within the dialogue because the doable main alternative on the upcoming NHL draft inJune Hagens has 20 components all through 16 video video games within the NCAA up to now in 2024-25. The 18-year-old will definitely be relied upon for offense because the Americans goal to go back-to-back after successful in 2015’s occasion in Sweden
Easton Cowan– Canada
The Toronto Maple Leafs risk will get on a 56-game issue contact within the Ontario Hockey League with theLondon Knights Cowan appears to be like readied to start on the host nation’s main line together with Callum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau after taking part in a sustaining obligation on the 2024 event when Canada accomplished a irritating fifth.
The 19-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont., that has 28 components in 20 video video games with London, obtained a prolonged try Leafs coaching faculty within the autumn previous to being gone again to junior.
Matthew Schaefer– Canada
The 17-year-old defenceman from Hamilton is a further gamer within the combine to goNo 1 on the 2025 NHL draft. Schaefer’s skating and smarts totally different him from the pack, and he figures to play a significant obligation forCanada The blue lining has 22 components in 17 prepared the OHL’s Erie Otters after eliminating mononucleosis beforehand this era. Schaefer is a further twin victor at one of the present U18 globes and Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Ryan Leonard– UNITED STATE
The Washington Capitals risk chilly in 2015’s final with a sensational particular initiative versus Sweden within the gold-medal online game. Leonard has 19 components in 16 competitions this era having enjoyable stage with Hagens and fellow united state onward Gabe Perreault atBoston College The 19-year-old will definitely be desirous to do the exact same in Ottawa.
Porter Martone– Canada
The 18-year-old energy onward from Peterborough, Ont., is a further doable main alternative inJune Martone and his six-foot-three, 208-pound construction can ceaselessly be found creating chaos earlier than the resistance web. Martone has 54 components in 26 video video games this era for the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads on the heels of U18 and Hlinka Gretzky Cup accomplishments with McKenna and Schaefer.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka– Sweden
The 19-year-old defenceman has really performed skillfully on house filth the final 3 intervals, consisting of in 2023-24 when Skelleftea AIK lined the group. The first-round alternative of the Detroit Red Wings has 22 components in 25 video video games this era and will definitely be dressing on the globe juniors for a third time.
Konsta Helenius– Finland
The 18-year-old Buffalo Sabres risk has really invested 2024-25 in theAmerican Hockey League Helenius was lent to his nationwide group by the NHL membership after putting in 17 components in 28 video video games with theRochester Americans The centre invested the final 2 intervals taking part in in Finland’s main group with Mikkelin Jukurit.
Victor Eklund– Sweden
Another gamer forecasted to go excessive on the 2025 NHL draft, the 18-year-old winger has really performed skillfully the final 2 intervals in his nation’s 2nd division with Djurgardens IF. Eklund has 15 components in 24 video video games because the fabled membership desires to win promo and return to Sweden’s main circuit.
Eduard Sale– Czech Republic
The Seattle Kraken risk is a further AHL gamer launched to his nation for the occasion. Sale has 13 components in 23 video video games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds up to now in 2024-25. The 19-year-old onward, that may definitely be dipping into his third globe juniors after aiding Czechia make bronze in 2015 and silver in 2023, had 7 components in 7 video video games on the 2024 occasion.
