Tomorrow, the 2024 World Junior Championship (WJC) will begin, commencing the annual holiday tradition of a best-on-best prospect showcase. After some pre-tournament events, the Nashville Predators will be represented by two prospects: Matthew Wood and Kasper Kulonummi. Here’s your look at each team, the big names to know, and who should challenge for a medal.
Group A
| Team | 2023 Result | 2024 Projection |
| Canada | 1st (won gold) | 1st (group) |
| Sweden | 4th (lost in SF) | 2nd |
| Finland | 5th (lost in QF) | 3rd |
| Latvia | 9th | 4th |
| Germany | 8th (lost in QF) | 5th |
If there is a group of death this year, it’s Group A. Canada, Sweden, and Finland are all medal contenders, and Latvia may surprise a few folks in the round-robin.
Canada is often the favorite to win gold (or at least make it to the gold-medal game), but this year, that may not be the case. Their roster lacks experience, depth on defense, and—once again—a clear starting goalie. The forward group has just one returnee from the 2023 WJC, Montreal’s Owen Beck, but they still come with plenty of skill. Their offense will run through Matthew Savoie (BUF), Jordan Dumais (CBJ), Conor Geekie (ARI), and Nashville’s Matthew Wood. The Preds’ 2023 first-round pick has been practicing in the middle six, often skating on Macklin Celebrini, the projected 2024 first-overall pick’s, wing. Wood, who scored 13 points in seven games at the U18 WJC last year, should rack up the power play minutes for Canada. Defensively, Canada is led by Denton Mateychuk (CBJ), but their blue line is thin. Tristan Luneau (ANA) and Nashville’s Tanner Molendyk will miss the tournament (the latter due to a wrist injury) and have been replaced with Ty Nelson (SEA) and Jorian Donovan (OTT). And in the net, Canada’s starting job remains up in the air between Scott Ratzlaff (BUF) and Mathis Rousseau.
While I think Canada may come out on top in group play, the playoff will test them. There are a few pitfalls that could doom this team; while the obvious one is goaltending, the defense may be more worrying.
If there is a threat to Canada’s group dominance, or even a favorite to win the round-robin, it’s Sweden. Playing at home, this could be the first time in years that Sweden takes home gold. The forward group has plenty of returnees and high draft picks, including Noah Östlund (BUF), Jonathan Lekkerimäki (VAN), Liam Öhgren (MIN), and Felix Unger Sörum (CAR); Nashville’s Felix Nilsson was, somewhat surprisingly, left off of this year’s roster. Sweden’s blueline is one of the best in the tournament, featuring Elias Pettersson (VAN), Axel Sandin-Pellikka (DET), and Tom Willander (VAN). In goal, the Swedes will be led by 2024 draft-eligible prospect Hugo Hävelid.
Looking at their roster, it’s hard to see how this Sweden team loses, but the WJC always surprises. Regardless, I think you’ll see them on the top step of the podium in early January.
Finland experienced a heartbreaking loss to Sweden in the 2023 WJC quarterfinals; this year they have a chance at revenge with a solid but not spectacular roster. Their forward group doesn’t have many standout names, but I will be keeping tabs on Konsta Helenius, who’s eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. In fact, the X-factor for this team may be the absence of top scorer Joakim Kemell, who is staying in the AHL at Nashville’s wishes. On top of that, after pre-tournament action, the Finnish brass cut Preds prospect Jesse Kiiskinen in a surprising move that may hurt their depth. Defensively, Nashville’s Kasper Kulonummi will likely lead Finland in minutes; while he’s scored just one assist in 25 Liiga games this year, he’s developed beyond U20 league play. Arttu Kärki (VGK) and Otto Salin (LAK) will add more depth to this blue line, which will help defend Niklas Kokko’s (SEA) crease.
Finland should be able to hang in every game they play, and they may surprise in the quarterfinals too; but I project they’ll fall just short of a medal.
Rounding out Group A are Latvia and Germany. Latvia will be led by forwards Sandis Vilmanis (FLA), Dans Locmelis (BOS), and Ēriks Mateiko and defender Nils Fenenko. For Germany, names to keep an eye on are Luca Hauf, Julian Lutz (ARI), and Kevin Bicker (DET). Lutz has 23 points in 19 USHL games this year, but Germany lacks a true game-breaker (as does Latvia). The round-robin game between these two will likely decide who heads to the relegation round and who doesn’t; my guess is Latvia comes out on top, but it may come down to which goalie is better.
Group B
| Team | 2023 Result | 2024 Projection |
| United States | 3rd (won bronze) | 1st (group) |
| Slovakia | 6th (lost in QF) | 2nd |
| Czechia | 2nd (won silver) | 3rd |
| Norway | Promoted from Division 1A | 4th |
| Switzerland | 7th (lost in QF) | 5th |
While Group A is the group of death, Group B features several interesting squads as well. The United States and Slovakia are medal contenders, and Czechia may be too, while Norway and Switzerland will fight to stay in the top division.
The United States should win Group B and probably pretty easily. They’ve got two, maybe three, goalies you’d feel comfortable starting with Trey Augustine (DET) leading the way, and their blue line has tons of skill and flash. Lane Hutson (MTL), who’s scored 20 points in 15 NCAA games this year, will lead the way, and Ryan Chesley (WSH) will back up his offensive instincts with a stay-at-home style. Behind them, Seamus Casey (NJD) and 2024 pick Zeev Buium should add to this group’s offensive strength. The United States’ forward group is deadly, and, on paper, can go toe-to-toe with Sweden and Canada in the medal rounds. Eight of their forwards are first-round picks, and if you want goals, you should get them from Rutger McGroarty (WPG), Cutter Gauthier (PHI), Jimmy Snuggerud (STL), and Ryan Leonard (WSH).
The United States’ is Sweden’s biggest threat to a gold medal; I’ve gone back and forth on who I think will come out on top, and it’s hard to pick.
Each year, Slovakia gives some contender a run for their money; this year, they’re one of those contenders. This roster is really exciting. Like the U.S., they have three goalies you can count on, but Adam Gajan (CHI) will lead the way after posting a 0.936 save percentage in four WJC games last year. The defense will be without its workhorse in Simon Nemec, but Maxim Štrbák (BUF) will be there with his multi-tournament experience and minute munching. I don’t think he’ll make a huge impact on the scoresheet, but 16-year-old Luka Radivojevic is an intriguing 2025 NHL Draft prospect to watch. The forward group, even without Juraj Slafkovsky, is one to salivate over; Alex Ciernik (PHI), Samuel Honzek (CGY), Filip Mesar (MTL), Adam Sýkora (NYR), and Dalibor Dvorský (STL) should combine for plenty of goals and will give the Slovaks a chance against the big boys in the playoff rounds.
I’m not confident enough to say this team will defenitely medal, but a bronze would not shock me.
Last year, Czechia lost the gold medal on an overtime goal from Canada, but this roster looks a lot different. This group will be led by Michael Hrabal (ARI) between the pipes, who could contend with Adam Gajan for all-tournament honors. Defensively, Tomas Hamara (OTT) and Aleš Čech will eat up a lot of minutes, but keep your eyes on Adam Jiříček, who will likely be a first-round pick next summer. Offensively, goals will come from Jiri Kulich (BUF) and Eduard Šalé (SEA) along with playmaker Matyáš Šapovaliv (VGK), but unless they put up otherworldly numbers, the Czechs won’t quite have the firepower to compete with the U.S. and Slovakia.
Despite that, this is still a good roster that could play spoiler in the quarterfinals much like Finland in Group A.
As Latvia and Germany will do in Group A, Norway and Switzerland will fight to avoid relegation in Group B. Norway, which was promoted from Division 1A this year, will rely on Markus Røhnebæk Stensrud in the crease to stay alive. Other names to watch include 2024 prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and tournament veteran Petter Versterheim. For Switzerland, defender Rodwin Dionicio (ANA) will attract a lot of attention as will Miles Müller up front. Otherwise, their roster lacks really any high-end talent, and the absence of first-round pick Lian Bischel will likely be very noticeable.
With all that said, my guess is Switzerland heads to the relegation round, but the contest may be a cointoss.
Predictions
Gold: Sweden
Silver: United States
Bronze: Slovakia
Relegated: Switzerland
Group A All-Tournament Team: Jordan Dumais (CAN), Jonathan Lekkerimäki (SWE), Macklin Celebrini (CAN), Kasper Kulonummi (FIN), Axel Sandin-Pellikka (SWE), Hugo Hävelid (SWE)
Group B All-Tournament Team: Cutter Gauthier (USA), Jiri Kulich (CZE), Dalibor Dvorský (SVK), Lane Hutson (USA), Seamus Casey (USA), Adam Gajam (SVK)
