Each year, the U20 World Junior Championship gives us a look at the future of the NHL, including many of the world’s best prospects. While this is often a tournament that belongs to the 19 year olds, especially for the top contenders, there are always younger players that make their mark as well. More than anything, the tournament is volatile, where anything could happen, and the only guarantee is that we will be surprised, one way or another.
With that being said let’s take a look over the teams in Group B, and the players that are expected to have an impact. Team USA is the favourite in the group, though a trio of ascending Central European nations, in Czechia, Slovakia, and Switzerland, will be looking to make their way to the knockout rounds and beyond.
The Americans enter as the tournament favourites for many, and with good reason. As one would expect the roster is full of first-round NHL draft picks from top to bottom. The team has a breadth of quality as well, on paper giving the impression that they can handle any style of game.
USA
Ryan Chesley features as the primary shutdown option on a blueline otherwise filled to the brim with offensive talents and puck moving ability. Headlined by Lane Hutson, a prospective contender for tournament MVP, and Seamus Casey, the Americans also boast a prospect gaining tremendous momentum towards the 2024 NHL draft in Zeev Buium. Currently, Buium is ranked just outside the top 10, but should continue to move up draft boards thanks to his outstanding production at the NCAA level.
The biggest point of contention might lie with the selection ideology of the forward group, though regardless there is no shortage of talent. While Cutter Gauthier and Will Smith are true blue chip prospects, the Americans have a lot of forwards with a blend of sandpaper and skill in Ryan Leonard, Jimmy Snuggerud, Rutger McGroarty, and Isaac Howard, as well as some faster forwards like Carey Terrence and Oliver Moore.
In net the Americans boast a strong tandem, as it is difficult to predict who will have the inside track to the starters job between Trey Augustine and Jacob Fowler. In all, there aren’t too many holes on the USA roster, and they will undoubtedly be one of the top teams in the tournament. The expectations are always high for the Americans, and the combination of talent, depth, and well roundedness might make them the favourites.
Czechia
The Czechs aren’t quite as deep on paper as the Americans, but have all the ingredients to make a deep run in this tournament. With some of the tournament’s best players and some intriguing 2024 draft eligible prospects, the Czechs will be among the most watchable teams in the tournament.
Though the forward group lacks some depth, the Czechs should have a capable top six, led by Jiri Kulich who is as good a forward as any in this tournament, already producing in the AHL. Kulich will have to take charge, even earning consideration for tournament MVP, for the Czechs to reach their potential, but he won’t be alone. With Eduard Sale, Kulich will have a highly skilled linemate, with one of Matyas Sapovaliv, Jakub Stancl, or Adam Zidlicky likely to join in what could be one of the better lines in the tournament. A dominant forward line can propel a team to success at this tournament, and the Czechs definitely have the ingredients to do so.
The rest of the team pairs well with the Czechs top forward talent, looking to be a strong defensive team. Their top three defenders, at least for the time being, are all left shots who will be heavily relied upon in Marek Alscher, Ales Cech, and Tomas Hamara. The blueline features two 2024 draft eligibles, often deployed as a pairing, in Tomas Galvas and Adam Jiricek. Both project as likely first-round picks at this point, and a big tournament from them might vault their team and their draft stock to new heights.
In net the Czechs are likely to rely on Michael Hrabal, who might be the top goalie in the tournament. With Hrabal in net, a strong defence corps, and some premier talent the Czechs will be a handful, capable of defeating any opponent.
Slovakia
The Slovaks have been on the rise the past handful of years, and this edition looks able to continue the trend. The best place to start might be in net, with Adam Gajan, who shone in last year’s tournament, gives the team an imposing force capable of stealing a game.
The Slovaks have a deep forward group, with a majority being drafted NHL prospects, including the highly touted Dalibor Dvorsky and Samuel Honzek down the middle, and Alex Ciernik, Filip Mesar, Adam Sykora, and Martin Misiak giving them a stable floor to build on.
A name to watch might be Luka Radivojevic, a 2025 draft eligible who turns 17 during the tournament, on the blueline. Showing any signs of promise at this level would be impressive, but the opportunity might be there for the taking. In all likelihood it will be older defenders like 2024 draft eligible Jakub Chromiak and Buffalo Sabres prospect Maxim Strbak who bear the load on the blueline.
The Slovaks have a lot working in their favour, with a quality roster and a path to a higher seeding, and the team is likely of the mindset that they have a chance to medal.
Switzerland
In recent years the Swiss have begun to cement themselves into this new stratosphere they find themselves in, regular factors in this tournament. Even without a headlining name on the roster, the Swiss will be a worthy opponent for the best teams.
Rodwin Dionicio might be the closest thing, the only NHL affiliated player on the roster, and perhaps this team’s most impactful defender. Scoring over a point per game in the OHL over the past two seasons, Dionicio was an Anaheim Ducks fifrh-round pick in 2023. This will be his third appearance at this tournament and is primed to lead the way, with others such as Benjamin Quinn following suit on defence.
Miles Muller, Mattheo Reinhard, Rico Gredig, and Thierry Schild look to make up the bulk of the top-six forwards, but the group will be decidedly outgunned by most of the teams in this group.
Ewan Huet, son of former NHL goalie Cristobal Huet, should be in the mix to be the team’s starter, despite being a year younger than his creasemates.
There might be some greater upside down the line, as Switzerland will have some draft eligible players to keep an eye on. Jamiro Reber might be able to have an offensive impact, while Leon Muggli and Daniil Ustinkov might factor prominently into the blueline, as all three are building impressive resumes.
In all the Swiss will have to be sound defensively to withstand the elite competition, and luckily it would seem that the strength of the team is the blueline. The expectation, or even the standard, for a successful tournament might be finding two wins during group play, or finding a way into the quarterfinals.
Norway
By reputation, Norway lags behind the rest of this group, though the team will be looking to prove differently. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard headlines, firmly in the first-round conversation of the 2024 NHL draft. Given his age we might temper expectations of dominance, though Brandsegg-Nygard figures to be prominently featured in a successful tournament for Norway.
He won’t be alone, as Petter Vesterhelm, Mats Bakke Olson, and Noah Steen are likely to be some of the team’s more impactful forwards, as they were in qualifying for this tournament. Emil Wasenden will be among the most relied upon on defence, while Markus Rohnbaek Stensrud should see some starts in goal.
Although not in the conversation of the 2024 NHL draft at this point, there are some players who might raise their profile with a strong showing. Ludvig Lafton and Stian Solberg are 17 year olds on the blueline, with Mathias Dehli up front.
Norway would do well to find a way to keep scores close, stealing a point or two early on, even building up to a win. It will be a tall task, but Norway will be eager to prove they belong.
Photo from @usahockey on Twitter
