By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
Winter has arrived in Boston, and with that comes one of hockey’s greatest annual traditions—the World Junior Championship. Team USA will be looking to win its third consecutive Gold Medal this year, as it will host the Tournament in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Group A will feature the United States, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany, while Canada, Czechia, newly promoted Denmark, Finland, and Latvia make up Group B. Three Bruins prospects will compete for their countries at the tournament, but who else should B’s fans keep an eye on?
Canada: Gavin McKenna, LW: Penn State (NCAA)
Canada’s roster is littered with first-round picks as well as several players loaned from the National Hockey League. After a few disappointing tournaments, the Canadians are without a doubt the favorites to win Gold in Minnesota.
Despite having must-watch drafted talent like Michael Misa, Porter Martone, and Zayne Parekh, all eyes will be on 2026 Draft-eligible Gavin McKenna. The Whitehorse, Yukon, native entered the season as the consensus best player in the draft, but has seen his stock slip a bit after a slow start at Penn State. A big tournament could propel McKenna back to the top of the first overall pick discussion.
Honorable Mentions: Keaton Verhoeff, Carson Carels, and Ethan MacKenzie
Czechia: Vashek Blanar, LHD: HV71 (SHL/U20 Nationell)
The Bruins’ selection of Blanar in this summer’s fourth round was surprising to some. After all, Blanar spent his draft year in the Swedish regional junior leagues, a league where players aren’t typically drafted from.
Fast forward six months, and Blanar has been one of HV71’s most important contributors in Sweden’s top junior league, the U20 Nationell, and has dressed in three games for their SHL team. The Czechs project to have a strong group this year, and Blanar could be a valuable depth piece on the backend.
Honorable Mention: Adam Novotny
Denmark: William Bundgaard, F: HV71 U20 (U20 Nationell)
Denmark is back in the “A” pool of the World Juniors for the first time since 2019, having been promoted last year. They find themselves in a difficult group, alongside Canada, Czechia, Finland, and Latvia. An especially tall task, given they only have one player on their roster, Mads Kongsbak Klyvo, who is drafted by an NHL team.
I would be surprised if Denmark avoids relegation back to Division 1A, but if they are to survive, I’d expect undrafted William Bundgaard to play a big role for the Danes. The Hvidovre, Denmark, native has NHL size at 6’4″, 198 lbs, and will face off against his junior teammate, Vashek Blanar, on December 27th.
Honorable Mentions: Emil Saaby Jakobsen, Martinus Uggerhoj Schioldan
Finland: Oliver Suvanto, C: Tappara (Liiga)
Finland will, without a doubt, miss Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius, who was not loaned to the team and will remain in the American Hockey League with the Rochester Americans. It will be up to some of Finland’s other forwards to step up in his absence in order for the Finns to contend for a Gold Medal.
Of the draft-eligible players on Finland’s roster, Oliver Suvanto possesses the best chance of elevating their medal hopes. Suvanto has seven points in 30 games in Finland’s Liiga, and despite being one of the younger players in the upcoming draft class, not turning 18 until September 3rd, has an NHL frame at 6’3″, 209 lbs. He projects as a potential top ten pick in this summer’s draft.
Honorable Mention: Juho Piiparinen
Germany: Gustavs Griva, F: Madison Capitols (USHL)
Griva lit up the German junior league last year with 79 points in 40 games, and added five points in five games at the U18 World Junior Championship last Spring. Despite this, it was not enough for one of the 32 NHL teams to draft him.
The Riga, Latvia, native who represents Germany internationally has moved to North America this season and has 19 points in 20 games with Madison in the USHL. With only three drafted skaters on the German roster, Griva will likely have a significant role on Team Germany.
Latvia: Alberts Smits, LHD: Jukurit (Liiga)
Latvia had an unbelievable run at last winter’s World Juniors, headlined by a shocking upset of Team Canada in Ottawa. Now the Latvians return to the biggest stage in junior hockey, with a roster that, despite only having two drafted players, projects to be a real tough out. They’ll be led by defenseman Alberts Smits, who could be a top-five pick in this summer’s draft. Smits has 12 points in 29 games in Liiga, and has NHL size at 6’3″, 205 lbs.
Honorable Mentions: Olivers Murnieks, Rudolfs Berzkalns, Bruno Osmanis
Slovakia: Tomas Chrenko, C: HK Nitra (Slovakia)
After graduating some top prospects in recent years, such as Dalibor Dvorsky, Simon Nemec, Juraj Slafkovsky, and others, Slovakia comes into this tournament without a prospect of that caliber. However, there are still some names worth watching.
Tomas Chrenko projects as a late 1st-round pick, and has put up 17 points in 27 games in the Slovakian pro league. Slovakia will lean on Chrenko and its three drafted players in this tournament, where reaching the Quarterfinals shouldn’t be an issue.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Goljer, Luka Radivojevic, Tobias Tomik
Sweden: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW: Frolunda HC (SHL)
Sweden projects as one of the Gold Medal favorites this year, looking to win their first Gold Medal since the 2012 edition of the tournament. If they are to capture the ultimate prize, it’ll likely be because of the play of Ivar Stenberg. Stenberg has had a remarkable season in the SHL, with 24 points in 25 games as a draft-eligible player. He projects as a top-three pick in this summer’s draft.
Honorable Mentions: Viggo Bjorck, William Hakansson, Casper Juustovaara Karlsson
Switzerland: Lars Steiner, RW: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
The Swiss are typically one of the most consistent teams in this tournament. They rarely threaten to Medal, but seldom find themselves in trouble relegation-wise. This year’s edition is projected to be stronger than recent years, with five drafted players on the roster.
They’ll also have draft-eligible forward Lars Steiner, who is in his second season with Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL. The Davos native has 14 points in 15 games with the Huskies, and projects as a late 1st-round pick to early 2nd-round selection.
Honorable Mention: Jonah Neuenschwander (2027 eligible)
USA: James Hagens, C: Boston College (NCAA)
Perhaps the most obvious choice on this list, James Hagens will be must-watch television at what will be his final World Juniors. Hagens set the all-time record for most points at the U18 World Juniors at his final appearance at that tournament. While he might not recreate the heroics from that tournament, look for Hagens to play a huge role in the Americans’ quest for a third straight Gold Medal.
Honorable Mentions: Will Zellers (BOS), Chase Reid, Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen
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