Matthew Schaefer, drafted first overall by the New York Islanders, middle, stands between Michael Misa, drafted second by the San Jose Sharks, left, and Anton Frondell, drafted third by the Chicago Blackhawks, during at the NHL draft in Los Angeles on Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
James Hagens (12) of the United States plays against Germany at the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Canada's Andrew Gibson (2) blocks a shot from Cole Hutson (24) of the United States at the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Canada's Gavin McKenna (9) protects puck from Sweden's Casper Juustovaara Karlsson (29) during an exhibition game ahead of the world junior hockey championship in Kitchener, Ont., on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Matthew Schaefer, drafted first overall by the New York Islanders, middle, stands between Michael Misa, drafted second by the San Jose Sharks, left, and Anton Frondell, drafted third by the Chicago Blackhawks, during at the NHL draft in Los Angeles on Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The world junior hockey championship gets going Friday with plenty of top-end talent set to be on display. Future stars in the NHL to suit up at the men's under-20 tournament in recent years include Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson and Leo Carlsson.Â
ºÃÉ«tvtakes a look at some of the players to watch at this year's event in Minnesota:Â
GAVIN MCKENNAÂ
Once thought to be the slam-dunk No. 1 pick at the 2026 NHL draft, the 18-year-old forward from Whitehorse has struggled to match his point total of last season, registering 18 across 16 games in the NCAA with Penn State after dominating the Western Hockey League as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers. McKenna, who put up 129 points in 56 contests in 2024-25 and was part of Canada's fifth-place showing at the world juniors, could still very well go first overall — and will be a key part of his country's attack.Â
IVAR STENBERGÂ
The 18-year-old Swedish winger is one of the players challenging McKenna on expert draft boards. Stenberg, a shifty playmaker, has suited the last two seasons in his country's top professional league with Frolunda, registering 24 points in 25 games so far in 2025-26.Â
MICHAEL MISAÂ
Not even invited to Canada's selection camp 12 months ago, the 19-year-old forward has parachuted in from the San Jose Sharks for the tournament. Misa, who was selected No. 2 at June's NHL draft after registering 134 points in 65 contests in 2024-25 with the Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit, scored his first goal with the Sharks this fall and has a total of three points in seven games with San Jose.Â
ANTON FRONDELLÂ
The 18-year-old Swede selected No. 3 by the Chicago Blackhawks in June has played professionally in his homeland with Djurgardens the last three seasons. Frondell, a big centre, had 15 points across 25 games in 2025-26 before joining the national team.Â
JAMES HAGENSÂ
A key part of last January's gold-medal win in Ottawa, the 19-year-old is back to lead the United States on home soil in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Hagens, a centre picked seventh overall by the Boston Bruins at the 2025 draft, has 18 points in 16 games this season with Boston College this season.Â
COLE HUTSONÂ
The younger brother of Montreal Canadiens star Lane Hutson, the fellow defenceman led all skaters with 11 points in seven contests at last year's world juniors for the U.S. The 19-year-old Hutson, a second-round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2024, has 20 points in 18 games with Boston University in 2025-26.Â
ALBERTS SMITSÂ
The 18-year-old defenceman from Latvia could be a top-10 pick at the upcoming draft. Smits has played the last two seasons in Finland's top professional division, with 12 points across 29 games in 2025-26.Â
CHASE REIDÂ
The 17-year-old American defenceman is another draft-eligible prospect set to be showcased for scouts in Minnesota. Reid has spent the last two seasons with the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, with 35 points in 31 games so far in 2025-26.Â
This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published Dec. 25, 2025.Â
The ºÃÉ«tv Press. All rights reserved.
Canada is entering a new era of nation-building. From clean-energy corridors and c…
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
