Some of the players to watch at the world junior hockey championship

James Hagens (12) of the United States plays against Germany at the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.

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.

The Canadian Press takes a look at some of the players to watch at this year’s event in Minnesota:

Gavin McKenna

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.

Ivar Stenberg

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.

Michael Misa

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.

Anton Frondell

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.

James Hagens

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.

Cole Hutson

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.

Alberts Smits

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.

Chase Reid

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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 25, 2025.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press