Read below for previews of each team, players by NHL team, and full schedule before the games kick off at 2 pm ET.
Quick Hits
Detroit Red Wings lead all NHL teams with 9 prospects
Russia Banned, Latvia joins tournament
Final tournament of no relegation
64 players from CHL
Canada
As usual, Canada brings a stacked roster to the tournament, highlighted by Connor Bedard, the next NHL superstar, projected to be the top pick of the 2023 draft. The NHL talent doesn’t stop there..
Backstopping the Canadians should be Sebastian Cossa, a 15th overall pick by Detroit in the 2021 draft, is one of the top goaltending prospects across the NHL, bringing size, and composure with ability to make the big save when needed. Dylan Garand (NYR), and Brett Brochu (Undrafted) will be viable back up options as well.
The forward group is deep and versatile, but lost some big names from the January roster. 2021 1st Overall pick Owen Power and Captain Kaiden Guhle are both no longer on the back end, with the forward group missing real NHL talent like Shane Wright (SEA), Cole Perfetti (WPG) and Dylan Guenther (ARI).
But this won’t slow down the Canadian’s attack one bit, a roster who has 5 players who scored 50 or more goals in their junior seasons in 2021-2022. Watch for Mason McTavish (ANA) to be a force up front, with a mix of power forward tendencies and elite skill. Both McTavish and Kent Johnson (CBJ) will be prospects to watch, as they may be in NHL sweaters come October.
Finland
The Fins look to be the only true test for Canada out of the group, and have some electric players on both sides of the puck. Brad Lambert, selected 30th overall in 2022 by Winnipeg, has been a prospect on NHL scouts lists since 15, but fell in this years draft, almost out of the first round.
Lambert’s skating ability and decision making at pace will catch every viewers eye, and is another prospect who can benefit from a strong performance in this tournament. Aatu Raty, a New York Islanders 2021 selection, had a similar fall in his draft, but was impressive last season playing pro in Finland tallying 43 points in 54 games, as well as 4 points in the playoffs for AHL Bridgeport.
Samuel Helenius (LA Kings) and Joakim Kemell (Nashville) will be keys to Finland’s attack as well, along with defenseman Topi Niemela (Toronto), who will be a focal point of the Finland powerplay once again.
7 of the Finnish 8 defenseman are NHL draft picks, with Ruben Rafkin being 2023 Draft eligible.
Czechia
Last medaling in 2005, Czechia will need to take care of business against Slovakia and Latvia in order to have a chance at a quarterfinal upset. Jan Bednar of Acadie-Bathurst of the QMJHL will backbone this Czechia net, another goaltending prospect for the Detroit Red Wings.
On the blue line, Czechia brings 4 NHL picks, with David Jiricek (Columbus) being the top prospect of them all. David Spacek, a Minnesota 5th round pick, may be another prospect who can jump to the AHL next season.
The forward group for Czechia has a mix of North American junior players and players competing in European leagues, including 6 players from the CHL. Montreal’s Jan Mysak and Buffalo’s Jiri Kulich will be the two prospects for scouts and fans to watch for Czechia.
Mysak, last year’s captain of Czechia, was over a point per game with Hamilton in the OHL in 2021-2022, and brings his pro experience after playing 22 games in the AHL during Covid. Eyes will be on Mysak, as it is time for his next step, with some scouts wondering if it will happen. His pro readiness will be judged throughout this tournament, as training camps loom.
Slovakia
After an incredible NHL Draft having the top 2 selections and 3 in the first round, Slovakia again has a top prospect for the 2023 NHL draft in Dalibor Dvorsky.
The downside of this years tournament being pushed was the losses of players like Slafkovsky and New Jersey’s 2022 2nd overall selection Simon Nemec on the back end.
Outside of Dvorsky, Slovakia brings a roster full of 2023 draft eligible players, and just 3 drafted players. The Nebraska Omaha commit Simon Lathkoczy will again (most likely) be the starter in goal for Slovakia, fresh off back to back USHL Clark Cup Championships with Chicago (2021) and Madison (2022).
Slovakia Drafted Players
Jakub Demek - Forward (Vegas Golden Knights)
Servac Petrovsky - Forward (Minnesota Wild)
Adam Sykora - Forward (New York Rangers)
Latvia
Due to Russia being removed from competition, Latvia jumps up to the top group after winning the 1A tournament last season. The Latvians roster brings some North American experience, with 6 players from the USHL, and 4 from the CHL.
CHL
D Bogdans Hodass - WHL
F Sandis Vilmanis - OHL (Florida Panthers)
F Anri Ravinskis - QMJHL (2023 draft eligible)
D Niks Fenenko - QMJHL (2023 draft eligible)
D Harijs Brants - QMJHL
USHL
D Gustavs Ozolins - USHL
D Ralfs Bergmanis - USHL (2023 draft eligible)
G Bruno Bruveris - USHL (2023 draft eligible)
F Martins Lavins - USHL (2023 draft eligible)
F Dans Locmelis - USHL (Boston Bruins)
NCAA
F Peteris Purmalis - Lake Superior State (2023 draft eligible)
F Raimonds Vitolins - Vermont
F Felikss Gavars - St. Lawrence (2023 draft eligible)
Unfortunately for Latvia, Group A is stacked 1-4, and may have a tough time through the preliminary rounds, especially starting off with Finland then Canada back to back.
But, regardless of how they got into the tournament, or the end result, this is a great opportunity for Latvia ice hockey.
USA
The US brings a mix of NHL experience, and top college players, with 72% playing in the NCAA last season.
The forward group will be led by Logan Cooley, who most recently went 3rd overall to Arizona in the 2022 NHL Draft, as well as 2021 NHL picks Thomas Bordeleau (San Jose), Matt Coronato (Calgary), Mackie Samoskevich (Florida) and Matthew Knies (Toronto).
2 prospects to watch out of the forward group are Matthew Knies and Charlie Stramel. Knies looks to be ready for the NHL, and could use this tournament as a proving ground before Toronto’s training camp in September. His aggressive, power forward with skills style of play is something Kyle Dubas and the Leafs may really benefit from.
Charlie Stramel is the only US player eligible (outside the goaltenders) for the 2023 draft, and looks to be the next US prospect to here his name called early in the NHL draft.
The back end is elite to say the least, led by Captain Brock Faber, who was recently traded to Minnesota from Los Angeles in the Kevin Fiala trade. Luke Hughes (New Jersey) is name familiar to NHL fans, and will be another player using this tournament to show NHL GM’s and coaches where their game is, competing against the best of their age group.
The goaltending group is made up of 3 2023 NHL prospects, all ready to step into the crease for the US. Kaiden Mbereko and Remington Keoplle both played in the USHL last season, with Andrew Oke playing for Saginaw in the OHL. This will be the question mark for the US, as teams like Sweden and Canada have top NHL talents in goal, and the US net minders will need to match their play in order to medal.
Sweden
The Swedes may be the top team out of group B, with NHL talent at every position. Outside of Canada’s Cossa, Jesper Wallstedt (Minnesota) is arguably the top goaltending prospect of the tournament, and looks to be the next starting goalie of the Wild.
The defense is built with mobility and size, led by Detroit draft pics Simon Edvinsson and William Wallinder, as well as Helge Grans (Los Angeles) and Emil Andrae (Philadelphia) adding physicality and offensive punch.
The NHL talent doesn’t stop when getting to the forward group. 2021 first rounders Fabian Lysell (Boston), Isak Rosen (Buffalo) and Oskar Olausson (Colorado) will lead the way, all hungry to show they are ready for the NHL or AHL level. But our forward to watch is Jonathan Lekkerimaki. The 2022 15th overall selection by Vancouver is a shooter, and could be one of the “steals” of the first round.
For Sweden, the only test should come against the Americans, as this team is poised to go for a deep run in the tournament.
Germany
Germany is in a retooling mode with prospects like Tim Stutzle, Florian Elias and JJ Peterka no longer available for this tournament. They will be relying heavily on Luca Muzenberger (Edmonton) on defense, along with Maksymilian Szuber (Arizona). Florian Bugl, a 2023 draft eligible prospect, should get the nod in net for the Germans, but do not be surprised if we see Carolina 2021 6th round pick Nikita Quapp as well.
With just Haakon Hanelt (Washington) as the only NHL selection, and just 1 of 3 players from North American Junior leagues, the Germans may struggle offensively. This team will rely on their team play and positioning to stay in games.
Austria
Another country who may struggle, Austria’s hopes out of Group B look tough, with their biggest games coming against Switzerland and Germany.
Sebastian Wraneschitz is a prospect for North American scouts and fans, coming off his first season for Tri City in the USHL, posting a 2.16 GAA in 18 appearances. For our Northeast scouts, Janick Wernicke is a player to watch for Austria, currently slated to play next season with New Hampshire of the USPHL NCDC.
Overall, the Austrians will have a chance against Switzerland and Germany, but have a roster full of 2023 eligible players and more with North American ties.
Switzerland
The Swiss may be poised to take 3rd in group B, with more offensive punch than the Germans and Austrians. Their roster brings just 4 players from the CHL, as well as goaltender Kevin Pasche from Omaha of the USHL.
2023 draft prospect Attilio Biasca should be the player to watch for the Swiss, along with Simon Knak (Nashville). Biasca finished his second season in Halifax of the QMJHL, tallying 11 goals and 3 assists in 39 regular season games, as well as 3 points in 5 playoff games.
The defense will be led by Brian Zanetti (Philadelphia), along with 2023 draft eligible prospects Vincent Despon, Rodwin Dionicio and Max Streule, all bringing CHL experience.
Players By NHL Team
Detroit Red Wings
CAN- Sebastian Cossa, Donovan Sebrango
CZE- Jan Bednar
FIN- Eemil Viro
SWE- Simon Edvinsson, Theodor Niederbach, William Wallinder
USA- Carter Mazur, Redmond Savage
Minnesota Wild
CAN- Carson Lambos, Ryan O'Rourke
CZE - David Spacek (Czechia)
SVK - Servac Petrovsky
SWE - Jesper Wallstedt, Liam Ohgren
USA - Brock Faber, Jack Peart
New York Rangers
CAN - William Cuylle, Dylan Garand, Brennan Othmann
CZE - Jaroslav Chmelar
FIN - Kalle Vaisanen
SVK - Adam Sykora
USA - Brett Berard
Anaheim Ducks
CAN - Nathan Gaucher, Mason McTavish
SWE - Calle Clang
USA - Ian Moore, Sasha Pastujov
Ottawa Senators
CAN - Ridly Grieg, Zack Ostapchuk
CZE - Tomas Hamara
FIN - Roby Jarventie, Leevi Merilainen
USA - Tyler Kleven
Chicago Blackhawks
CAN - Ethan Del Mastro
SWE - Victor Stjernborg
USA - Dominic James, Wyatt Kaiser, Landon Slaggert
Florida Panthers
CZE - Jakob Kos
LAT - Sandis Vilmanis
FIN - Kasper Puutio
SWE - Ludvig Jansson
USA - Mackie Samoskevich
Montreal Canadiens
CAN - Riley Kidney, Joshua Roy
CZE - Jan Mysak
FIN - Oliver Kapanen, Petteri Nurmi
Carolina Hurricanes
CAN- Ronan Seeley
FIN- Aleksi Heimosalmi, Ville Koivunen
GER- Nikita Quapp
Columbus Blue Jackets
CAN- Kent Johnson
CZE- Pavel Cajan, David Jiricek, Martin Rysavy, Stanislav Svozil
New York Islanders
CAN- William Dufour
FIN- Eetu Liukas, Matias Rajaniemi, Aatu Raty
Philadelphia Flyers
CAN- Elliot Desnoyers, Tyson Foerster
SWE- Emil Andrae
SUI- Brian Zanetti
Vegas Golden Knights
CAN - Lukas Cormier
CZE - Matyas Sapovaliv
SVK - Jakub Demek
SWE - Carl Lindbom
Boston Bruins
LAT - Dans Locmelis
SWE - Fabian Lysell
USA - Riley Duran
Buffalo Sabres
CZE - Jiri Kulich
SWE - Isak Rosen, Linus Sjodin
Dallas Stars
CAN - Logan Stankoven
SWE - Daniel Ljungman, Albert Sjoberg
Los Angeles Kings
FIN - Samuel Helenius, Kasper Simontaival,
SWE - Helge Grans
Nashville Predators
FIN - Joakim Kemell
SWE - Anton Olsson
SUI - Simon Knak
Toronto Maple Leafs
FIN - Roni Hirvonen, Topi Niemela
USA - Matthew Knies
Vancouver Canucks
FIN - Joni Jurmo
SWE - Jonathan Lekkerimaki
USA - Jacob Truscott
Arizona Coyotes
GER - Maksymilian Szuber
USA - Logan Cooley
Colorado Avalanche
SWE - Oskar Olausson
USA - Sean Behrens
Edmonton Oilers
FIN - Joel Maatta
GER - Luca Munzenberger
New Jersey Devils
CZE - Petr Hauser
USA - Luke Hughes
Tampa Bay Lightning
CAN - Jack Thompson
LAT - Klavs Veinbergs
Washington Capitals
GER - Haakon Hanelt
SWE - Oskar Magnusson
Winnipeg Jets
FIN - Brad Lambert
SWE - Daniel Torgersson
Calgary Flames
USA - Matt Coronato
San Jose Sharks
USA - Thomas Bordeleau
St. Louis Blues
SWE - Leo Loof
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