World Juniors preview: Meet the 10 teams looking for gold in Edmonton

Team Canada celebrates after defeating Russia in the gold medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championships, Sunday, January 5, 2020 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Edmonton — The World Juniors return to Edmonton for the first time since 2012 with 10 teams of the best teenage hockey players on the planet to take to the ice at Rogers Place.

The ongoing pandemic means this year's event will look very different from previous editions, with no fans, COVID-19 safety protocols, a shortened pre-tournament schedule and a Christmas Day start for the first time since the 2005 tournament.

But the action between the boards should be the same as ever as Canada looks to defend the title it won in the Czech Republic last January.

Scroll down or click the links below for a preview of each team as well as a star player to watch for.

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POOL A: Canada | Finland | Switzerland | Slovakia | Germany

POOL B: Russia | Sweden | United States | Czech Republic | Austria

CANADA

As usual, Canada enters the World Juniors as among the tournament favourites, but this year’s group is being hailed as among the country's best in a generation. The team boasts top talent across the board with 20 first rounders and multiple players who likely would be playing in the NHL if not for the pandemic. Both the blue line and forwards groups are loaded with talent. Anything less than a gold medal will be a disappointment.

PLAYER TO WATCH - Dylan Cozens

Cozens is among the talented forward group who will have to step their games up following the loss of Kirby Dach to injury in the team's pre-tournament game against Russia. He's the first Yukon-born player to make Team Canada and is known for his speed and ability to stickhandle at pace. The Lethbridge Hurricane can play centre or right wing and racked up 169 points, including 72 goals, in 119 WHL games over the past two seasons.

OTHER NOTABLES:

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FINLAND

Finland are always a medal contender and have won the World Juniors three of the last seven tournaments. Defenceman Ville Heinola brings some NHL experience with the Winnipeg Jets and the squad has good depth in goal behind presumptive starter Joel Blomqvist as well. They may lack the high-end superstar of other teams, but the Finns remain strong overall, play well as a team, and will likely be Canada's toughest opening round game.

PLAYER TO WATCH - Anton Lundell

Lundell missed last year’s tournament due to injury after being a part of the gold-medal winning team in Vancouver the year before. The centre is known for his stickhandling, vision and strength and is averaging better than a point a game in Finland top men’s league. The Florida Panthers first round draft pick is a microcosm of Team Finland itself: not the flashiest player, but efficient and effective.

OTHER NOTABLES:

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SWITZERLAND

Switzerland have proven to be a tricky opponent in recent World Juniors but face tough opening round matchups in Canada and Finland. There are questions about goaltending and depth as the Swiss are also the only team at the tournament without an NHL draft pick. They’ll rely on discipline and opportunism to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish.

PLAYER TO WATCH - Simon Knak

Many were surprised Knak went undrafted last year after a promising WHL season where he recorded 34 points in 49 games for the Portland Winterhawks. The winger had two goals in five games at last year’s tournament and is expected to lead his team in scoring this time around.

OTHER NOTABLES:

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SLOVAKIA

Last year, Slovakia were outscored 28 to 9 and were overmatched in games versus Switzerland, Sweden and Finland. It could be a similar story this year, but on the upside, they return eight players from 2020, including five defenceman plus goaltender Samuel Hlavaj who’s back for his third World Juniors. The Slovaks will rely on that defensive experience while hoping their younger forward group can provide the offence to spring an upset or two.

PLAYER TO WATCH - Simon Nemec

Nemec is remarkable for being only 16 in a tournament typically dominated by players three years his senior. The slick defenceman is the youngest Slovak player to play in a top men’s league and recorded 35 points in 52 games as a 14 and 15- year-old in the country’s under-18 league. His age may limit his ice time, but scouts are intrigued by his skating and puck-moving abilities.

OTHER NOTABLES:

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GERMANY

Germany showed flashes of potential at last year’s tournament including an upset of the host Czechs. This year’s team looked to be a young group with only a trio of returnees bolstered by a pair of NHL draft pick forwards. But COVID-19 has affected the Germans more than any other squad, and the team is left with just 16 healthy players (instead of the usual 25) for their first opening round games against Finland and then Canada. Earlier, top prospect Lukas Reichel (and three other players) didn't make the trip to Edmonton after also testing positive for the coronavirus.

PLAYER TO WATCH - Tim Stuetzle

The third overall selection in last year’s draft, Stuetzle is known for his slick stickhandling, speed and playmaking ability. The Ottawa Senators prospect recorded 34 points in 41 games in Germany’s highest league last year.

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RUSSIA

Coached by Hall of Famer Igor Larionov, Russia has talent across the board and remains a strong medal contender. Larionov has said he emphasizes the link between defence and forwards in an effort to create rolling five-man units. The Russians have an inexperienced defence but a skilled forward group that includes 11 NHL draft picks. Returning goaltender Yaroslav Askarov is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2020 World Juniors

PLAYER TO WATCH - Vasili Podkolzin

The Vancouver Canucks prospect is an aggressive power forward returning for his third World Juniors. Podklozin registered four points in seven games at last year’s event and will be counted on as team captain to lead the offence along with fellow returnee Maxim Groshev. "I expect him to be a top guy and a guy to go and lead the way," Larionov said of Podkolzin.

OTHER NOTABLES:

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SWEDEN

Sweden was shaping up to be a strong medal contender with depth and skill at all positions, But, COVID-19 has taken its toll on the squad: sidelining four players, a team manager, and the head coach. The Swedes are strong at the back with good goaltending and three returning players on defence, including Oilers prospect Philip Broberg returning for a third tournament. Forwards Alexander Holtz and Lucas Raymond are both top-10 NHL draft picks who will be counted on for scoring. With the absences forced by COVID-19 the Swedes depth will be tested against stronger opponents.

PLAYER TO WATCH - Hugo Alnefelt

Alnefelt starred at last year’s tournament, making a number of highlight reel saves and winning five of his six starts. He’s hailed as a future star in the making and has spent the last two seasons in Sweden’s top men’s league. He's also going to be pushed by backup Jesper Wallstedt.

OTHER NOTABLES:

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UNITED STATES

Team USA returns as a medal contender with strengths at both ends of the rink. Goaltender Spencer Knight is a first round pick who emerged as a college hockey star last season. At forward, Trevor Zegras finished tied for sixth in scoring at last year’s tournament despite playing only five games. The team’s inexperienced defence will be tested but it’s a strong roster for the Americans who are looking for their fifth medal in six years.

PLAYER TO WATCH - Cole Caufield

A 2019 first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, Caufield is undersized at five-feet-seven-inches tall but is a prolific scorer and playmaker. He’s averaged at least a point per game in parts of two seasons at the University of Wisconsin and is looking to make amends for a quiet 2020 World Juniors.

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CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic are a step below the major contenders having not won a WJC medal since 2005 and coming off a disappointing tournament on home ice last year. While the goaltending calibre is uncertain, the team has strong offensive talent, a sizable returning core group and nine NHL draft picks.

PLAYER TO WATCH - Jan Mysak

A versatile forward and veteran of last year’s team, Mysak is known for his play at both ends of the ice. The second round Montreal Canadiens draft pick can play as a centre or winger and is a likely top line player for the Czechs.

OTHER NOTABLES:

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AUSTRIA

Austria returns to the tournament for the first time since 2010 and just the third time in its history. It’s a big step up in competition from Division I and they lack the speed, skill and goaltending depth of the more experienced countries they’ll face in Edmonton. On the upside, Marco Rossi is a potential superstar and, with no relegation this year, the Austrians are assured of returning for 2022.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Marco Rossi

Selected 9th in the 2020 NHL draft by the Minnesota Wild, Rossi is Austria’s top prospect in a generation. He tallied a whopping 120 points last season with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s and his scoring tough will be counted on to keep Austria’s head above water.

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