United States
After capturing gold over the last two years in foreign territory, the Americans enter the tournament on home soil seeking their third straight World Junior title, something that hasn’t been done since the mid-2000s. There’s no doubt that every year, Team USA comes into this tournament as a powerhouse. They’ve medaled in eight of the last ten World Junior Championships, but this year’s team isn’t as strong on paper as it has been in recent tournaments. With Augustine and Fowler no longer leading the charge between the pipes, goaltending has been the biggest question for the Americans. Are they deep enough defensively to keep the puck out of their net? Let’s dive into the roster.
Standouts
WSH – Cole Hutson, D
Cole Hutson is going to be a huge factor if the United States wish to three-peat. Last year, he finished the tournament with 11 points through seven games, including a two-point night in the gold medal game. Those 11 points ranked him as the scoring leader of the tournament, something no defenseman has ever done before. You can expect Hutson to log big minutes and run the number one unit on the power play. He’s a true game breaker, and I expect nothing less from him to follow up on his stellar performance from a year ago.
BOS – James Hagens, C
Despite losing his two wingers from last year’s tournament, James Hagens is still going to be dominant as the team’s number one centre. Coming off nine points through seven games in the tournament a year ago, he should see an even bigger role with the losses of Leonard and Perreault. Hagens has excelled in International tournaments. In 2024, he put up a historic 22 points at the U18s, which set a record surpassing both Kucherov and Jack Hughes. Hagens drives offense, and you can expect him to be all over the scoresheet over the next few weeks.
NHL Prospects
Forwards
BOS – James Hagens (7th overall, 2025)
BOS – Will Zellers (3rd round pick, 2024)
BUF – Brodie Ziemer (3rd round pick, 2024)
CHI – A.J. Spellacy (3rd round pick, 2024)
DET – Max Plante (2nd round pick, 2024)
LAK – Brendan McMorrow (7th round pick, 2025)
MTL – L.J. Mooney (4th round pick, 2025)
NSH – Ryker Lee (25th overall, 2025)
NSH – Teddy Stiga (2nd round pick, 2024)
NYI – Kamil Bednarik (2nd round pick, 2024)
NYI – Cole Eiserman (20th overall, 2024)
NYI – Jacob Kvasnicka (7th round pick, 2025)
PHI – Shane Vansaghi (2nd round pick, 2025)
PIT – William Horcoff (24th overall, 2025)
SJS – Cole McKinney (2nd round pick, 2025)
VGK – Trevor Connelly (19th overall, 2024)
Defensemen
BUF – Adam Kleber (2nd round pick – 2024)
BUF – Luke Osburn (4th round pick, 2024)
EDM – Asher Barnett (5th round pick, 2025)
LAK – Hunter Brzustewicz (31st overall, 2025)
NYR – EJ Emery (30th overall, 2024)
OTT – Logan Hensler (23rd overall, 2025)
SEA – Blake Fiddler (2nd round pick, 2025)
WSH – Cole Hutson (2nd round pick, 2024)
Goalies
TBL – Caleb Heil (7th round pick, 2025)
WSH – Nicholas Kempf (4th round pick, 2024)
Prediction
The Americans have built something special in the locker room over the last two years, following their back-to-back gold wins. Despite losing a lot of core players from the championship teams, nine players return looking for the same result. Anything outside of competing for a medal would be a shock. They have the chemistry, the coaching and the motivation of home ice – looking for a three-peat.
Schedule
Friday, December 26 – 5pm CST/6pm EST USA vs. Germany
Saturday, December 27 – 5pm CST/6pm EST Switzerland vs. USA
Monday, December 29 – 5pm CST/6pm EST USA vs. Slovakia
Wednesday, December 31 – 5pm CST/6pm EST Sweden vs USA
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Sweden
Last year, they suffered heartbreak after losing in overtime during the semifinal to Finland and then losing to Czechia in a 14-round shootout in the bronze medal game. Sweden is a top contender every year, but they’ve struggled to get the job done when it matters most. Although they’ve medaled four times over the last decade, collecting a mix of silver and bronze medals, they haven’t won gold since 2012. This year’s roster is as deep as it gets. Sweden has talent up and down the lineup, highlighted by first-round NHL draft picks in Frondell, Eklund, and Boumedienne. Ivar Stenberg is also another name to look out for as he’s quickly become one of the top eligible prospects in the upcoming NHL Draft. Will this be the year Sweden finally breaksthrough and wins Gold again? It will come down to execution, but they certainly have the players to do so.
Standouts
CHI – Anton Frondell, C
Frondell is set to appear in his first World Junior tournament. Wearing an “A” on his chest, he’ll be looked upon as a leader as Sweden looks to break the 14 year drought for gold. Frondell is having an impressive season in the SHL. With 15 points in 25 games, he ranks second among U20 scoring leaders, behind his Swedish teammate Stenberg. Regularly playing against more experienced and older players, Frondell should excel in this type of tournament. He’s an excellent 200-foot player with a lethal shot that should be showcased over the next few weeks. There’s a reason Frondell was drafted third overall.
2026 Draft – Ivar Stenberg, LW
With 24 points in 25 games as an 18-year-old playing in the SHL, Stenberg has gained a lot of attention. His ten-game point streak set a record as the first player under the age of 19 to accomplish that feat. Everyone talks about Gavin McKenna being the clear-cut 1st overall pick in the upcoming Draft, but Stenberg has quickly played himself into that conversation. His play at the International level speaks volumes for itself – at the U18’s, he put up 13 points in seven games, then put up an impressive 10 points in five games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He looks to add to his resume during this tournament, and I do not doubt that he will.
NHL Prospects
Forwards
ANA – Lucas Pettersson (2nd round pick, 2024)
ANA – Eric Nilson (2nd round pick, 2025)
CHI – Anton Frondell (3rd overall, 2025)
DET – Eddie Genborg (2nd round pick, 2025)
FLA – Linus Eriksson (2nd round pick, 2024)
NYI – Victor Eklund (16th overall, 2025)
PHI – Jack Berglund (2nd round pick, 2024)
SEA – Loke Krantz (7th round pick, 2025)
VAN – Wilson Bjorck (5th round pick, 2025)
WSH – Milton Gastrin (2nd round pick, 2025)
Defensemen
NSH – Viggo Gustafsson (3rd round pick, 2024)
SJS – Leo Sahlin Wallenius (2nd round pick, 2024)
TOR – Victor Johansson (4th round pick, 2024)
WPG – Sascha Boumedienne (28th overall, 2025)
WPG – Alfons Freij (2nd round pick, 2024)
Goalies
DAL – Mans Goos (5th round pick, 2025)
STL – Love Haremstam (6th round pick, 2025)
Prediction
The United States should be the only challenge for Sweden in Group A. Barring any upset, they should cruise their way into medal contention and have a roster deep enough to win it all. The time for Sweden is now, with several prospects hoping to make the jump to the NHL next year. After the Americans spoiled gold for the Swedes on home soil in 2024, they will look to return the favour this year.
Schedule
Friday, December 26 – 12pm CST/1pm EST
Slovakia vs. Sweden
Sunday, December 28 – 1pm CST/2pm EST
Switzerland vs. Sweden
Monday, December 29 – 12pm CST/1pm EST
Sweden vs. Germany
Wednesday, December 31 – 5pm CST/6pm EST
Sweden vs USA
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Slovakia
Since winning their last medal in 2015, Slovakia has been on a decade-long drought of competing for a medal at the World Juniors. With the departure of Dvorsky, this year’s roster is going to lack game-breaking talent. Slovakia is set to ice a very young team, with 19 teenagers, all able to return next year. Let’s dive into potential standouts for this young roster.
Standouts
DET – Michal Pradel, G
Pradel is going to have to play outstandingly if Slovakia wishes to have success in this tournament. He’s a third-round pick in the most recent NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings and has a towering 6-5 frame to cover the net. Pradel has played well in the USHL this season with Tri-City and hopes to continue that while representing his country. He’s an agile and confident goaltender who rarely beats himself up over a bad goal. His ability to handle pressure has been noticed at the U18’s, where he was a big reason Slovakia competed for medals.
LAK – Jan Chovan, C
Chovan is a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the most recent NHL Draft. He has a good resume in International competition, putting up eight points in seven games at the U18’s and adding on stellar performances during a few Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournaments. Expect him to have power-play time and be a contributor in the faceoff circle. He’s a 6-3 centreman who has great off-puck instincts, taking pride in his 200-foot game.
NHL Prospects
Forwards
DET – Michal Svrcek (4th round pick, 2025)
LAK – Jan Chovan (6th round pick, 2025)
Goalies
DET – Michal Pradel (3rd round pick, 2025)
Prediction
Slovakia has only medaled twice in their history at this tournament – bronze medals in 1999 and 2015. The team is likely going to find itself in another quarterfinal game. They’re going to have to rely on youth to break the decade-long medal contention drought, though it may seem unlikely. The Slovaks should be able to put up a fight against some of the powerhouses, but to expect a top-four finish may be a stretch.
Schedule
Friday, December 26 – 12pm CST/1pm EST Slovakia vs. Sweden
Saturday, December 27 – 1pm CST/2pm EST Germany vs. Slovakia
Monday, December 29 – 5pm CST/6pm EST USA vs. Slovakia
Wednesday, December 31 – 12pm CST/1pm EST Slovakia vs. Switzerland
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Switzerland
Switzerland has never won a gold medal at the World Juniors. Their best finishes are a bronze medal in 1990 and a silver medal in 1998. Although they have found success at the IIHF’s men’s level, the U20’s have been a struggle for them. It has been an eternity since Switzerland made it out of the quarterfinals, and their goal should be to avoid a relegation game this year.
Standouts
WSH – Leon Muggli, D
The Capitals/Bears released Muggli to play at the World Juniors. This will be his third appearance, and he will look to build on his four assists through nine games in the last two years representing Switzerland on this stage. Muggli will no doubt be their best defenseman, and expect him to log some big minutes versus tough opponents.
2026 Draft – Lars Steiner, RW
Steiner is projected to be a first-round draft pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. Switzerland has little to no game-breaking talent at the forward position, but expect Steiner to evolve into that. He’ll play on the first line, and I expect him to be a key contributor to their offence. Although he’s only 5-10, Steiner plays hard and doesn’t shy away from board battles. He has excellent vision and offensive instincts that should bode well for whoever plays on his line.
NHL Prospects
Defensemen
UTA – Ludvig Johnson (6th round pick, 2025)
WSH – Leon Muggli (2nd round pick, 2024)
VAN – Basile Sansonnens (7th round pick, 2024)
Goalies
ANA – Elijah Neuenschwander (4th round pick, 2025)
SJS – Christian Kirsch (4th round pick, 2024)
Prediction
A quarterfinal appearance is the likely scenario that awaits the Swiss. But, anything further than that is a stretch when looking at the roster that they have this year. With back-to-back games against the United States and Sweden to start the tournament, points early on are going to be hard to come by. If Switzerland isn’t able to beat Germany, they might find themselves in their second relegation game since 2021.
Schedule
Saturday, December 27 – 5pm CST/6pm EST Switzerland vs. USA
Sunday, December 28 – 1pm CST/2pm EST Switzerland vs. Sweden
Tuesday, December 30 – 1pm CST/2pm EST Germany vs. Switzerland
Wednesday, December 31 – 12pm CST/1pm EST Slovakia vs. Switzerland
****
Germany
Over the last five years, German hockey has been on the rise thanks to Moritz Seider, Tim Stutzle and JJ Peterka, who all excelled during the 2020 tournament. Ever since, Germany has managed to stick around and compete in the Top Division, despite having to stave off relegation over the last two years. Medal contention has been hard to come by, but the Germans have proven capable of pulling off big upsets, such as their win versus Finland in 2024. Although this year’s team is far from having the firepower it once did five years ago, there are a couple of standouts that Germany will have to rely on if they wish to have success.
Standouts
David Lewandowski, LW (EDM) & Maxim Schaefer, LW (WSH)
There’s no doubt that offence is going to be hard to come by for the Germans. They will have to rely heavily on NHL prospects Lewandowski and Schaefer to carry the mail. Lewandowski has performed well in the WHL this season and should bring a mix of speed and size to the lineup. Producing at just over a point-per-game pace, if the Germans get offence, Lewandowski will likely be involved. As for Schafer, he’ll look to bring a forechecking and towering net-front presence, as he has a knack for burying rebounds and scoring goals in front. Last year, Schafer scored three points in five games at this tournament and will look to build on that this year.
NHL Prospects
Forwards
EDM – David Lewandowski (4th round pick, 2025)
WSH – Maxim Schafer (3rd round pick, 2025)
Defensemen
MTL – Carlos Handel (6th round pick, 2025)
Prediction
There’s no doubt Germany is coming into the tournament as the underdog in Group A. They’ll have some tough games against the United States and Sweden, but should be able to hold their own against the Slovaks and the Swiss. A quarterfinal appearance is waiting for the Germans if they can pull off an upset or pick up some big points when needed. If not, Germany will likely face Denmark in yet another relegation game.
Schedule
Friday, December 26 – 5pm CST/6pm EST
USA vs. Germany
Saturday, December 27 – 1pm CST/2pm EST
Germany vs. Slovakia
Monday, December 29 – 12pm CST/1pm EST
Sweden vs. Germany
Tuesday, December 30 – 1pm CST/2pm EST
Germany vs. Switzerland
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I’m excited to cover OHL prospects monthly this upcoming season so cheers to the new season!
If you want to see me rant about hockey on Twitter/X, you can follow me personally – @AlforqueE
‘Til next time,
Emmanuel Alforque