Herman Tråff in Ottawa: A 2025 World Junior Championships Overview

Merry Christmas! From everyone at All About the Jersey, we hope that you and your loved ones are enjoying today’s holiday. Traditions are common at this time of year for celebrations. And in the world of hockey, one annual tradition is about to begin: the World Junior Championships (WJCs). Also known as the IIHF World Under-20 Championships. From December 26 (Boxing Day) through January 5, ten of the world’s national teams consisting of the best of the recently drafted and some soon-to-be-drafted players will face off. These tournaments are always exciting to watch just for the sheer action of it.

For the New Jersey Devils fan, well, you are probably still riding high off an absolute beating of Our Hated Rivals. I know I am. From a prospect standpoint, there is just one prospect at this year’s tourney: Swedish winger Herman Tråff. The Devils did have a top-ten pick last year in defenseman Anton Silayev. However, the IIHF continues to keep Russia out of their tournaments and for understandable reasons. With the other Devils prospects either being too old or not prolific enough, Tråff is it. I implore you to pay at least some attention to the 2025 WJCs. The quality of play is always worth your time. Not to mention that you will see plenty of these players in the NHL in the not-so-distant future. To help with that, this post is an overview of what to expect in this year’s tournament.

Tournament Information

The Format: There are ten national teams. The group stage has two groups of five teams each. The top four teams move onto the medal tournament. The last place team in each group will play off in a relegation game. The medal tournament is seeded by order of the group standings (first in Group A plays fourth in Group B, second in Group A plays third in Group B) and so forth). All tournament games are single-games. There is re-seeding based on standings for the semifinals.

The Dates: The group stages run from December 26 through December 31. Quarterfinals and the Relegation game are on January 2. Semifinals are on January 4. Third place game and Finals are on January 5.

The Locales: Ottawa is hosting both groups. The Senators’ home rink, the Canadian Tire Centre, will host Group A, half of the Quarterfinals, the Relegation game, the Semifinals, and the Finals. TD Place Arena is the home of major junior team, the Ottawa ‘67s. That arena will host Group B and half of the Quarterfinals.

The Schedule: From the IIHF website, the full schedule is here.

The Broadcasts: NHL Network for America and TSN for Canada as per the NHL.com’s own schedule.

The Groups: Again, there are two groups of five nations each:

Group A: United States, Finland, Canada, Latvia, Germany

Group B: Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Kazakhstan

The Relegation Replacement: The Division I, Group A World U-20s were completed earlier this month in Bled, Slovenia. Denmark won it with a 4-0-1-0 record, one point ahead of Austria. The relegated team this year will be replaced by the Danish U-20 team for the 2026 WJCs in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Let’s go over each team in each group.

Group B: Kazhakstan

In a Few Words: Welcome to back to the main WJC tournament, please try to survive.

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 26-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: Kazakhstan has one. Goaltender Vladimir Nitikin, a 2023 seventh round pick of Ottawa. He has been with Barys Astana’s MHL team this season. Nitikin has posted an 88.4% save percentage in 12 games. I am unsure how good the play is in the MHL but that is not good. BCHL fans would recognize he played 25 games and three playoff games for Chilliwack last season.

Any Futures to Know?: Not really. There are two 17-year olds on the roster: goaltender Danil Lytkin and defenseman Sanzhar Ibragim. If nothing else, they will be prepared for future U-20 tournaments as well as Kazakhstan’s U-18 team. Outside of that, there’s defenseman Beibarys Orazov, a 19-year old defenseman who plays regularly for Barys Astana in the KHL. He clearly has the highest level of experience on the roster. Could be someone to consider as a late overage pick if a scout really likes him. Unless you are a big Kazakh supporter and/or Barys Astana supporter, then you are going to just raise an eyebrow at this team.

The Situation: Kazakhstan won promotion in 2024 in the World U-20 Championships Division I Group A. This is the toughest step for a national team. Most of the teams in these age-gated tournaments are right up to the age limit. This means most of the players who got their nation promoted cannot play in the next year. The intent is that nation has a system of development to continue to produce young players to keep them up. The problem is that the next level up is very tough. Playing France, Denmark, Japan, and Hungary is a whole lot easier than playing Czechia, Sweden, Slovakia, and Switzerland – four nations that regularly produce NHL-level prospects. So the guys who got the Kazakhs here are not going to be here this year. This will make for a very tough situation.

A Game of Importance: Switzerland on December 31. It may decide who ends up in the Relegation game on January 2 out of Group B.

Prediction: Kazakhstan will likely be replaced by Denmark in 2026.

Group A: Germany

In a Few Words: You survived last year thanks to Mortiz Elias in overtime. Let’s not get too comfortable.

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 26-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: Germany has one. Defenseman Norwin Panocha, who was picked in the seventh round in 2023 by Buffalo. He switched over to Chicoutimi in the QMJHL after being drafted. 60 appearances later, he moved on to Prince Albert of the WHL for a few games and has re-settled in Green Bay of the USHL. If nothing else, he is well traveled. He is also a veteran of the national team youth set-up. Panocha played for Germany in the World U-18s in 2023 and the WJCs in 2024. He will likely be leaned on for his experience to survive once again.

Any Futures to Know?: There are a couple major junior-based players to know for the deeper rounds of the 2025 NHL Draft. Defenseman Carlos Händel has been a regular for Halifax in the QMJHL. Forward David Lewandowski started the season with Düsseldorfer EG of the German DEL but moved over to Saskatoon of the WHL where he has 15 points in 20 games. This tournament could be a good time for them stand out amid the largely German-based roster.

The Situation: Germany is basically what Kazakhstan should aim to be. Germany did have a bit of a golden generation a few years back. Since two straight quarterfinal appearances in 2021 and 2022, the team has been battling for eighth and ninth place finishes. The good news is that they have stayed up since 2020. The not so good news is that every group stage game is very important to try to grind a point out of for their own survival. In a sport as chaotic as hockey, a bad night or moment can happen whenever. They very nearly got knocked out by Norway last year. They may have to repeat this again just to survive. And perhaps pray for talents like Reichel and Peterka once more.

A Game of Importance: Latvia on December 30. It may decide who ends up in the Relegation game on January 2 out of Group A.

Prediction: Germany beats Kazakhstan to survive and then look to do that again in 2026.

Group A: Latvia

In a Few Words: A youth movement in an under-20 tournament is a bold plan. Smart, well, we’ll see.

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 27-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: Latvia has two drafted players. Defenseman Darels Uljanskis was picked in the seventh round in the 2024 NHL Draft by Anaheim. Winger Eriks Mateiko was a third round pick by Washington in 2024. Mateiko is not only huge at 6’6” but he has been a goalscorer for Saint John in the QMJHL with 14 in 23 games.

Any Futures to Know?: Keep an eye on the forwards because Latvia has two 2025-eligibles in Bruno Osmanis and Daniels Serkins, three 17-year olds with two up front (defenseman Krisjanis Sarts, Serkins and Karlis Flugins, and four 16-year old forwards (Rudolfs Berzkalns, Martins Klaucans, Olivers Murnieks, and Roberts Naudins). Will they all make it? Maybe. Will you see those names among the Latvian set up for years to come? Most likely.

The Situation: Latvia hockey is definitely looking ahead with the sheer number of underage players they are bringing to an under-20 tournament. The gambit is clear. See what they can do and should Latvia survive in the top WJC division, then the team has a roster of experienced players to help the rest of their age group along. The Latvian hockey federation is either really big on the underagers or they figure if they are going to compete, then blood the youth early for future tourneys. It is a lot of pressure to put on them. As well as on the 19-year old goalies. Latvia may need one of Janis Fecers, Linards Feldbergs, and Aksels Ozols to play like Arturs Silovs.

A Game of Importance: Latvia survived in part last year due to one massive win in the group stage over Germany. On December 30, they will have to do it again.

Prediction: Latvia finishes fourth in the group and gets bounced by the winners of Group B.

Group B: Switzerland

In a Few Words: You were the best of the survival-hungry teams. Your goal is to do it again.

The Roster: From the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation, here is their 26-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: The Swiss have four on their team. Goaltender Christian Kirsch was picked in the fourth round in 2024 by San Jose. Defensemen Leon Muggli and Basile Sansonnens were picked last year by Washington (second round) and Vancouver (seventh round). Forward Rico Gredig was drafted last year in the sixth round by the Rangers.

Any Futures to Know?: For this year’s draft, there is only one draft-eligible: goaltender Elijah Neuenschwander. He has played for HC Fribourg-Gotteron’s U-20 team and has been on loan to EHC Chur in Switzerland’s second tier. It remains to be seen if he will take minutes from Kirsch and Ewen Huet, who is indeed Cristobal Huet’s son. I am old. So are you, maybe. For the 2026 draft, you may want to get familiar with Lars Steiner. The 17-year old right-shooting forward made the Swiss U-20 team after producing plenty for Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL. He could make his name a bit bigger in Ottawa this year. For those interested in overage draft picks, look to see if defenseman Daniil Ustinkov makes a better case for himself this year after going unpicked in 2024.

There is one surprising name. For the first time since 2001, a 15-year old will be at the tourney: forward Jonah Neuenschwander. He is a big young man as he is already 6’3” and 181 pounds. He has played for EHC Biel-Bienne’s U-20 team and even played five games with their main team in this season. He only just started to represent Switzerland in youth tournaments and this is his first major one. No, not the World U-18s but the World U-20s. He is 15. Jonah Neuenschwander could very well be the next Swiss star and an early favorite for being a top pick in 2027. Making the team under the age of 18-19 is an achievement. Doing so at 15 is incredible.

The Situation: Swiss hockey is a bit ahead of where Germany is in the pecking order. They are at risk of playing to avoid relegation but they can pull out enough to at least avoid that game altogether. The nation can produce serious talent. Just look at the Devils. But unless there is a great group coming with Steiner in the coming year or so, their main task will be to just stay ahead of the Germanys and the promoted team. Which they can do – provided they win at least this one game of importance.

A Game of Importance: Kazakhstan on December 31. It is a must win unless the Swiss upset Czechia, Sweden, or Slovakia beforehand. Which is possible in a sense.

Prediction: Switzerland finishes fourth in the group and gets bounced by the winners of Group A. So it goes. Go Lars Steiner and Jonah Neuenschwander.

Group B: Slovakia

In a Few Words: This could be the year to make a run.

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 26-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: The Slovaks have four. The biggest one is winger Dalibor Dvorsky, who was picked tenth overall in 2023 and is playing in the AHL right now in St. Louis’ system. He could be a darkhorse for one of the best players in this tourney between his skill and experience. He will be supported by St. Louis third rounder from 2023, winger Juraj Pekarcik; Buffalo second rounder from 2023, defenseman Maxim Strbak; and Washington seventh rounder from 2024, Miroslav Satan Jr. Three additional players with experience in performing at this level.

Any Futures to Know?: Other than the NHL prospects, there are a few to know. Goaltender Alan Lendak has been great for the Fargo Force in the USHL this season. He has backstopped Slovakian youth national teams before and he has a 91.6% save percentage with the Force. Center Tomas Pobezal has been rising up draft ranking lists for 2025 with 17 points in 26 games with HK Nitra in Slovakia’s top league. He could bust out here. As could 2025-draft eligible defenseman Luka Radivojevic. If you need an under-the-radar name, consider Daniel Alexander Jencko. He has played just nine games for UMass – and has seven points. Should he stay good to go, he could thrive.

The Situation: The Slovaks have fought for podium appearances at the U-18 level. Those players are mostly here now. If there is a time for the Slovak U-20 team to make some noise beyond just making and losing in a Quarterfinal, then it is now. Dvorsky could be one of the top players amid the Group and perhaps the tournament. The Slovaks have goaltending they can trust in Lendak and forwards with plenty of experience and experiences from various leagues (e.g. Slovakia, Finland, Canadian major juniors, NCAA). This is a squad that can win multiple games and get a potentially fair matchup in the quarterfinals. Winning one there means there is a potential medal to play for. Make it so this year, Slovakia. Dvorsky, Pekarcik, and Strbak are not coming back next year.

A Game of Importance: Czechia on December 29. This is both a national rivalry game and one that could dictate how Group B lines up. It could make the difference between playing third from Group A and second from Group A – which could be Canada or the United States.

Prediction: Let’s be bold. Slovakia takes Bronze in 2025.

Group A: Canada

In a Few Words: All of the talent, all of the attention, and all of the anxiety with the pressure.

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 25-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: Canada has 21 drafted prospects. No, I am not listing them all. If anything, they could make a pretty strong team out of all of the players they did not take like Zayne Parekh, Carter Yakemchuk, Andrew Cristall, and so forth. Such is the reality with Canada. Most nations have to take an age group as they are. The Canadians can be picky. The best performing prospects so far this season appear to be defenseman Sam Dickinson (eleventh overall by San Jose in 2024), Berkly Catton (eighth overall by Seattle in 2024), Carson Rehkopf (second rounder by Seattle in 2023), Brayden Yager (fourteenth overall by Pittsburgh in 2023), and Luca Pinelli (fourth rounder by Columbus in 2023). This is not to say the others are just guys. No, they are all very good. Your mileage may vary as to who to highlight as this team is loaded on the roster.

Any Names to Know?: Making Canada’s WJC team is hard. It is even harder when the player is underaged and not even drafted. This may be the year where they get some more minutes than just a handful. Goaltender Jack Ivankovic is the country’s newest hope for the position. Right winger Porter Martone may be a Tkachuk-like player in the future. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer may unseat James Hagens as the perceived #1 pick for 2025. The most talented of the undrafted and perhaps even among the drafted is the starlet Gavin McKenna. He is now 17. He has 60 points for Medicine Hat in the WHL this season. He only played 30 games. Yes, he is averaging two points per game. He also put up 97 points in 61 games as 16-year old and crushed the U-18 level with 20 points in 7 games back in the Spring. McKenna is the presumptive #1 pick in 2026. He may show why in Ottawa this year.

The Situation: Canada has the talent and the structure to win the WJCs or compete to win the WJCs every year. They finished fifth last year after three goals in the previous four years. It was a disappointing result. With the tournament in Ottawa, the expectation is that this team is playing on January 5 for the Gold. On paper, they can. The concerns will remain from past WJC teams. Can the goaltending hold up? Can the forwards produce and avoid costly calls? Will it turn out that Hockey Canada should have selected the very best players instead of identifying more role players for depth?

A Game of Importance: As big as United States-Canada will be on December 31 will be, their game against Finland on December 26 will be just as crucial. It is their first game of the tournament and it will go a long way to allay concerns with a strong performance. Of course, just edging the Finns will only increase the worries and the pressure.

Prediction: As much as I would love a fourth place finish for Canada, I think they win Gold at home. If this tournament was elsewhere, then no.

Group A: Finland

In a Few Words: The whole is greater than the sum of the parts – that is the Finnish way in hockey.

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 26-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: Finland has 16 NHL drafted prospects on their roster. They range from the Rochester-based forward Konsta Helenius, who Buffalo drafted at fourteenth overall in 2024 to HPK-based goaltender Kim Saarinen, who Seattle drafted in the third round last year to HIFK defenseman Aron Kiviharju, who Minnesota drafted in the fourth round last year. Kiviharju has been focused on since he was 16 but this will be his first WJC as he has missed the previous three due to injury. He is also Finland’s captain for this tournament.

Any Names to Know?: Finland’s team is loaded with experience and there are few underagers to look for. Goaltender Pettri Rimpinen has been very good for Kiekko-Espoo in the Liiga this season with a 91.6% save percentage. He may end up being the main goalie for Finland in this tournament. For an overage draft pick, I would recommend keeping an eye on Topias Hynninen. He went undrafted in 2024, but he has been quite productive with Jukurit in the Liiga with 24 points in 32 games. Among the drafted, there is Helenius. As well as Emil Hemming, who has made a successful transition to the OHL with 20 points in 30 games with Barrie.

The Situation: It is almost a stereotype for the Finland team at the WJCs. One can look at the roster, go “that’s pretty OK but I don’t think they’ll do much,” and then end up playing for a medal on January 5. Which they did last year, losing the bronze medal to Czechia. I want to believe they can do more in 2025. But they are in a group with the United States and the host nation of Canada. This is a team destined for third and will need to grind out games in the medal tourney to move on. Which is typical for Finnish hockey in these tourneys.

A Game of Importance: December 29 against the United States may as well be the one to determine if Finland is set for third place in Group A or if they can upset the top end of the group.

Prediction: Finland will make life difficult for all of their opponents. Alas, they will fall in the Quarterfinals.

Group B: Czechia

In a Few Words: The Czech revival has happened, but it will be a struggle to play for a medal once more.

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 27-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: Czechia has 14 NHL drafted prospects. The massive goaltender Michael Hrabal has been, well, massive for UMass this season. Utah fans and Czech fans want to bring that to Ottawa. Defenseman Adam Jiricek was drafted in the first round by St. Louis in 2024 and he could be a blueline leader. As would AHL-playing and Los Angeles-drafted defenseman Jakub Dvorak. Up front, the Czechs can lean on Seattle-drafted Eduard Sale (who is in the AHL now), Adam Jecho, Ondrej Kos, Jakub Stancil, and Petr Sikora. The Czech development is back in full effect when it comes to producing prospects.

Any Names to Know?: There are two 17 year olds I would pay attention to for the future drafts. For the 2025 draft, there is Vojtech Cihar. He has played for the main HC Energie Karlovy Vary team in the Czechia Extraliga, which is impressive for any 17-year old. The other is more tantalizing for the 2026 draft: Adam Novotny has also made his main team in the Extraliga, Mountfield HK. Should both add depth to the potential scoring for the Czechs this year, then that would be a big gain for the national team.

The Situation: Czech hockey is back to being a main player in this tournament. After 18 years since their last medal, they took Silver in 2023’s tournament in Halifax. Last year, they took Bronze in Sweden. The challenge for the Czechs are the group set up. They absolutely have to try to win the group to avoid one of Finland, the United States, or Canada in the Quarterfinals. The issue is that they have a very good Sweden team to contend with and a Slovakia squad itching to win some hardware. This will be a challenge both in the group and on January 2. If they can somehow win the group, then they can play for a third straight medal. If they do not, well, it may be an early exit.

A Game of Importance: December 29 may be the rivalry game with Slovakia, but December 31 is against Sweden. That may be for first in Group B and a far, far, far more favorable matchup in the Quarterfinals.

Prediction: I do not think Czechia wins Group B and so they will get dusted by one of the top three teams in Group A in the Quarterfinals. Sorry, Czechs.

Group B: Sweden

In a Few Words: Sweden has the skill and the pedigree. But do they have enough to go all the way?

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 24-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: Sweden has 19 NHL drafted players on their roster. Most notably and relevant to this site, it is Devils fourth round pick in 2024 Herman Tråff. He is one of the many on this roster that plays in the SHL. He has been with HV71 for 19 appearances with a spot appearance with their U-20 team and a three-game loan with Nybro in the second tier. He has been playing in their top nine so he should get some good action. As for the other prospects, take your pick to be impressed by. The defense includes Detroit’s Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Vancouver’s Tom Willander, and St. Louis’ Theo Lindstein. All want revenge for last year’s tourney. Up front, St. Louis-drafted Otto Stenberg, Nashville-drafted David Edstrom, and Carolina-drafted Felix Unger Sorum will lead the way among several others. The goalies are all drafted and have done relatively well with their teams, but there will have to be a lot of hope in Marcus Gidlof to take that form into the tournament.

Any Names to Know?: Other than the already drafted, you definitely want to look at Victor Eklund. He is William’s brother and a potential top-ten pick for 2024. He has been producing very well for a draft-eligible player for Djurgårdens with 15 points in 24 games. Eklund could be one of Sweden’s top offensive threats on this roster, which is full of NHL talent. That can not just only help his draft stock but help his nation perform as well.

The Situation: The Swedes fell short on home ice last year to the Americans. Swedish hockey has been a factory of talented players of all kinds. They are definitely up there with Canada and the United States when it comes to competing for medals. The issue is whether they have enough skill and force to win the must-win games. Are the goalies going to be good enough? Are the forwards going to produce enough? I can see them winning Gold. I can also see them getting upset. They can win the group but that alone will not be enough.

A Game of Importance: December 26 has the Swedes take on Slovakia. This is the first game in the group and it can set the tone. Slovakia is hungry. The Swedes will have a tough test before their other tough test on December 31.

Prediction: They win the group but lose a big semifinal game and then fade in a third-place game to the Slovaks, who get revenge for December 26.

Group A: United States

In a Few Words: The defending champions continue to prove the greatness and importance of the USNTDP. They could win it again.

The Roster: From Elite Prospects, here is their 28-man roster.

Any NHL Drafted Prospects?: The United States has 24 NHL drafted players on their roster. Again, I am not listing all of them. There are a lot of top tier prospects among them. Goaltender Trey Augustine (Detroit) has been fantastic with Michigan State this season with a 93% save percentage plus owning two straight WJC appearances and a World Championship appearance last year. He could be the goalie of the tournament. Zeev Buium (Minnesota) is expected to lead a really talented blueline, that could include Woodcliff Lake’s own and Aram Minnetian (Dallas) as well as E.J. Emery (Rangers). The forward list can make a prospect fan drool. The team boasts Ryan Leonard (Washington), Oliver Moore (Chicago), Gabe Perreault (Rangers), Teddy Stiga (Nashville), Austin Burnevik (Anaheim), and Cole Eiserman (Islanders) alone. What is more is that almost of these players have played together on past U-18 and U-17 teams with the USNTDP. This is

Any Names to Know?: James Hagens is a potential #1 pick. While the draft scene seems to be more pumped by Schaefer and Martone, Hagens could really take back the conversation. He already has 20 points in 16 games with Boston College. This is after putting up 63 assists and 102 points in 58 games with the USNTDP in the prior season. The 2025-draft eligible is not going to just make up the numbers. There is one other. Another USNTDP alum, Wisconsin defenseman Logan Hensler. He had a big U-18 tournament last year, he could surprise on this roster this year.

The Situation: The Americans won it all in Gothenburg last year. It was their sixth ever Gold at the WJCs and their 10th medal since 2010. The USNTDP continues to be a machine in preparing American prospects not only for the pro game but also to contend in tournaments like this one. The expectations have been raised but I do not know if the pressure is really on them. This year is in Ottawa. The home crowds and the media attention will likely be more about whether Canada bounces back from a fifth place finish. Or possibly Sweden looking for revenge. With reduced pressure, the Americans are capable of winning it all once more. Will they? Well, hockey is a weird game. It is not easy to repeat.

A Game of Importance: December 31 against Canada. Of course.

Prediction: They do not win Gold. They lose to Canada. Anywhere else, they win it but this tourney is in Ottawa. Alas.

The Be Strong, Be Wrong Predictions

Group A Standings: Canada, United States, Finland, Latvia, Germany

Group B Standings: Sweden, Slovakia, Czechia, Switzerland, Kazakhstan

Relegation Game: Germany over Kazakhstan. Denmark replaces Kazakhstan in 2026

Quarterfinals: Canada over Switzerland, Sweden over Latvia, Slovakia over Finland, United States over Czechia

Semifinals: United States over Sweden, Canada over Slovakia

Bronze Medal: Slovakia over Sweden

Finals: Canada over United States

Your Take & Your Time

I hope you appreciated this overview of the 2025 World Junior Championships. Admittedly, with just one New Jersey Devils prospect and the actual team performing splendidly, there is not a ton of attention necessary for this year’s tourney. But the WJCs are always exciting hockey and you will see the future of the league right before your very eyes. I strongly recommend checking it out if you are able. To that end, this is not just an overview of the tournament but an open post for all things related to the WJCs. Any of the games. Any of the drama. Any of the highlights. If it is about the 2025 World Junior Championships, then it can go here.

Please provide your predictions, your thoughts, and your hopes about this year’s tournament in the comments. Thank you for reading. Again, Merry Christmas and we at AAtJ hope you all have a lovely holiday.