Three Kings Prospects Added to World Junior Rosters

The best hockey tournament in the world returns in less than a month’s time — and this year’s World Junior Championships are set to feature three LA Kings prospects.

As is the custom, each participating country will announce their preliminary rosters this week. Then, teams will soon begin holding pre-tournament training camps, followed by a pair of exhibition games. For example, Team USA will face Slovakia (Dec. 21) and Finland (Dec. 23) just prior to final rosters being submitted to the IIHF on Dec. 24, in advance of the 2025 WJC beginning on Dec. 26 in Ottawa.

Side note — people often ask about the year designation. Although the 2024 WJC will see round robin games in 2024, each edition of the tournament is named off of when the gold medal game takes place (typically around Jan. 5). Thus, this is the 2025 WJC because that’s when the championship will be played.

As for Kings prospects, three will be invited to participate this year — for three different countries, and none of them are forwards. LA’s 2024 first round selection, Liam Greentree (who is racking up points in the OHL at a rapid pace), had the best shot among that latter group, as he was given consideration by Team Canada, but ultimately did not make the final cut.

So, who is going this year?

Hampton Slukynsky (Goalie, USA)

Readers of this website need no introduction to the netminder nicknamed ‘Hammer.’ He’s been featured quite a bit in our prospect coverage and even made an appearance on Kings Of The Podcast this past summer.

Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 195 – Hampton ‘Hammer’ Slukynsky

Originally selected at the 2023 NHL Draft, Slukynsky was the USHL’s Goaltender of the Year last season before jumping to the college ranks for his 2024-25 campaign. In six starts with Western Michigan thus far, he has amassed a 3-2-1 record, along with an uber impressive .947 save percentage. The Minnesota native is expected to be Team USA’s No. 1 goalie for the tournament.

Carter George (Goalie, Canada)

Yes, another Kings netminder. This one could be fun too, as Canada will face the Americans on New Year’s Eve. The big question, though, is if George will start that game. He’s coming into camp as more of a No. 2 for Canada; yet, things often change at the World Juniors, so nothing is really off the table.

Playing for a poor Owen Sound team this season, the 18-year-old netminder has put up a 4-11-5 record in 20 appearances. However, it’s George’s .901 save percentage (despite his win-loss record) that is likely more indicative of his abilities. Last year, he backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the U18 tournament and many see him as Canada’s goalie of the future due to his ‘it’ factor.

George was selected by the Kings last summer, and Mark Yannetti had a lot to say about it at the time:

NHL Draft 2024 Wrap-Up Scrum with Yannetti

Jakob Dvorak (Defenseman, Czechia)

In what has come together as a rather interesting development, Dvorak is expected to play for Team Czechia. Why there is such a story here is that last year, when he was expected to wear a letter for the team and anchor his country’s defensive unit, he opted to skip the tournament — a story we covered here at the time.

Standing 6-foot-5, the 19-year-old rearguard is in the AHL this season, after splitting time between the WHL and Europe one year ago. With each passing week, he’s gaining the trust of Reign coach Marco Sturm and has seen his playing time increase over the past month. Thus far, in 11 games played with Ontario this season, he has recorded two assists, playing his typical defense-first approach.

Czechia is in a different pool than Canada and the USA. So, Dvorak’s team would need to advance past round robin play for him to face one of the other two Kings prospects.

The schedule for this year’s tournament can be found here. All games will air on NHL Network TV, beginning Dec. 26. As is tradition, Mayor’s Manor will provide full coverage.

MORE LA KINGS NEWS:

Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 202 – Yannetti Returns For More

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