Montreal prospect Filip Mesar is one of Montreal’s prospects at the World Junior Championship.
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The World Junior Championship has become an annual holiday tradition in the hockey world for a number of reasons. National pride plays into it and seeing your nation make a championship run or become the Cinderella team of the tournament is fun.
For NHL fans, in particular, it is one of the best chances to see your club’s top prospects in action against some of the best players from their age group. Whether it’s European prospects drafted recently who are playing overseas or a kid in the NCAA, there aren’t many better opportunities to see the future of your favorite team. Let’s take a look at one prospect to watch for each Eastern Conference NHL squad.
Boston Bruins: Fabian Lysell, W, Sweden
The Bruins’ 21st overall pick in 2021 has been nearly a point-per-game player at the AHL level with the Providence Bruins thanks in part to his breakneck pace and high-octane offensive skill. Lysell is primed to be one of Sweden’s best offensive players. He has a quick release and snappy shot that should find twine regularly at the U-20 level and his intelligent play away from the puck should make life difficult for opposing defensemen as Lysell pressures them on the forecheck.
Buffalo Sabres: Noah Ostlund, C, Sweden
Ostlund should be the center on one of the top lines for Sweden, using his creativity and agility to excel in all aspects of the game. Ostlund is shifty with the puck on his stick, opening up space for himself with agile moves through the offensive zone. He makes life easier on his linemates by carrying the load in transition as well. Ostlund could be one of the tournaments more entertaining players.
Carolina Hurricanes: Ville Koivunen, W, Finland
While much of the attention for the Finnish attack will be on Joakim Kemell and Brad Lambert, Koivunen has been one of the nation’s most consistent players on the international stage. The shifty and intelligent winger has a boatload of skill to keep up with the high-end players while doing so many of the little things to make their lives easier. Koivunen is excellent at linking little plays together in an effort to generate a big play. Koivunen just makes everyone around him better.
Columbus Blue Jackets: David Jiricek, D, Czechia
Jiricek has the chance to be one of the tournament’s best blueliners. He was injured at the tournament last winter that ended up being canceled but played in the summer tournament. The 19-year-old Czech blueliner is a two-way presence who throws big hits and fires bombs from the blueline. He’s offensively daring and mobile while staying defensively sound.
Detroit Red Wings: Red Savage, W, USA
Savage is the type of player that USA Hockey seems to love including on their teams at all levels of international play. He plays with speed, effort, and tenacity while chipping in offensively and showing a willingness to mix it up. Every team needs a player who makes it easy to root for him because of his motor and Savage has routinely been that guy for the Americans.
Florida Panthers: Marek Alscher, LHD, Czechia
The Panthers’ prospects at the world juniors aren’t going to be world-beaters but Alscher could show exactly why he was taken in the third round last summer. His defensive play is solid as he uses his size effectively and ensures that his goalies have clear sightlines at the front of the net. He won’t be the most offensive Czech defender at the tournament, but he will play a pretty big role in his own end. Alscher is a stout defender who can make life easier on his teammates in their own end.
Montreal Canadiens: Filip Mesar, RW, Slovakia
Montreal will have a number of players at the World Junior Championship and while some Habs fans had hoped to see Juraj Slafkovsky suit up for the Slovak side, they’ll see their other 2022 first-rounder, Filip Mesar, play for the Slovak U-20 team. Mesar plays with an incredible motor and utilizes his skill in a refined manner, looking like a pro every time he takes the ice. Mesar will take on the role of offensive catalyst for the Slovak squad, using his speed to put defenders on their heels while looking to be both a goal scorer and play facilitator.
New Jersey Devils: Seamus Casey, RHD, USA
The Devils have a number of highly touted prospects at the world juniors such as Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec who both could find themselves on the end-of-tournament all-star team but it’s Seamus Casey that deserves some extra attention. Casey is going to play important minutes for the Americans. He could play with Hughes on the top pair or shift down to the second pair, anchoring his own unit. His role on special teams will be interesting as he’s been used as a penalty-killer in camp. With so many offensive blueliners, Casey’s versatility could be vital for the Americans.
New York Islanders: Calle Odelius, LHD, Sweden
The Islanders have done a good job of selecting high-upside players outside of the first round over the last couple of years and Odelius fits that mold. The young Swede is a shifty, mobile blueliner who plays well at both ends of the ice. He uses his skating to be effective in all three zones but excels in transition. Odelius has the chance to become one of Sweden’s top blueliners this year, playing in a variety of situations and giving Sweden a reliable option on the back end.
New York Rangers: Brennan Othmann, LW, Canada
Othmann is one of the OHL’s best players and he will play a big role for the Canadians. He blends speed and skill with the ability to annoy and pester the opposing team. Othmann will play in the Canadian top-six, likely with former Don Mills Flyers teammate Shane Wright who he’s had a ton of success in the past. Othmann’s shot will be a major asset. The Canadian pest won’t shy away from letting his opponent know how he feels whether he pats them on the head after setting up a great goal or trash-talking the opposing bench after scoring.
Ottawa Senators: Tyler Boucher, RW, USA
Despite sending a number of prospects to the tournament, Boucher will be the guy with all of the eyes on him. The 10th overall pick in 2021, Boucher has had an up-and-down development path over the last couple of years, going from the NCAA to the OHL. Boucher is one of the most physical prospects in hockey and doesn’t shy away from throwing the big hit. He’s crossed the line a few times leading to suspensions. Can his physicality and goal-scoring be a difference-making factor for the U.S.?
Philadelphia Flyers: Cutter Gauthier, LW/C, USA
The Americans are going to heavily rely on their top offensive players and Gauthier is going to be among them. The Boston College forward is an efficient finisher who does an excellent job at both ends of the ice, grinding along the boards and working the puck up ice and into scoring areas. Gauthier is likely going to ride shotgun with Logan Cooley at the World Junior Championship which should allow him to excel offensively.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Niko Huuhtanen, RW, Finland
The Finns are going to need players to score some goals and Huuhtanen could be a player that does that for them. He has a heavy release and plays with physicality to go with it. He will likely line up in the middle-six for Finland and provide the depth scoring that they need. He’s been playing in the Liiga this year and he’s been producing at a decent rate for a 19-year-old with his goal-scoring being the best aspect of his game, even against men.
Washington Capitals: Ryan Chesley, RHD, USA
The Americans are going to have a bunch of offensively inclined defenders and Chesley might play the role of defensive conscience for this team. He isn’t a lugging blueliner because he shows the ability to move the puck when needed but he will play a sound defensive game for the Americans. There won’t be much flair or flash, but the solid play could get him big minutes.
Toronto and Pittsburgh do not have any players participating at the World Junior Championship.
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