Group A rivals Switzerland and Slovakia will kick off the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship on Christmas Day.
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
The moment we’ve been waiting for is almost here. Starting Christmas Day, ten teams will embark on a quest to claim the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship that will keep hockey fans captivated through the holiday season.
Who has got a shot at gold in the 45th consecutive edition of the annual U20 hockey showcase? Let’s take a quick look at the world’s top Under-20 teams preparing to do battle in the bubble in Edmonton.
Group A
CANADA
With six returning players from 2020, the defending champions are gunning to become the first team to win back-to-back gold medals since the Canadian five-peat of 2005-09.
Coach Andre Tourigny boasts 13 NHL first-round picks at forward alone, including snipers like Dylan Cozens, Alex Newhook, and Cole Perfetti. Captain Kirby Dach, who played 64 games for Chicago last season, was injured during the 1-0 win over Russia and was ruled out for the tournament Thursday, which is a big blow. The team’s offence will need to gel quickly after close to a nine-month layoff.
That said, Canada’s defence, featuring the smooth-skating top pairing of Bowen Byram and Jamie Drysdale, is outstanding. As long as the goaltending holds up with Devon Levi designated as the starter, this team has all the tools to repeat on home ice at Rogers Place.
Who has got a shot at gold in the 45th consecutive edition of the annual U20 hockey showcase? Let’s take a quick look at the world’s top Under-20 teams preparing to do battle in the bubble in Edmonton.
Group A
CANADA
With six returning players from 2020, the defending champions are gunning to become the first team to win back-to-back gold medals since the Canadian five-peat of 2005-09.
Coach Andre Tourigny boasts 13 NHL first-round picks at forward alone, including snipers like Dylan Cozens, Alex Newhook, and Cole Perfetti. Captain Kirby Dach, who played 64 games for Chicago last season, was injured during the 1-0 win over Russia and was ruled out for the tournament Thursday, which is a big blow. The team’s offence will need to gel quickly after close to a nine-month layoff.
That said, Canada’s defence, featuring the smooth-skating top pairing of Bowen Byram and Jamie Drysdale, is outstanding. As long as the goaltending holds up with Devon Levi designated as the starter, this team has all the tools to repeat on home ice at Rogers Place.
Dylan Cozens will be counted on to lead Canada on home ice with captain Kirby Dach out with an injury.
photo: Andrea Cardin / HHOF-IIHF Images
FINLAND
Finland hit new heights in the 2010’s, winning three gold medals (2014, 2016, 2019). Captain Anton Lundell, who played on the 2019 team but missed last year’s tournament due to injury, is back, and the HIFK Helsinki centre is tied for second in Liiga scoring with 12 goals and 20 points. While prospective #1 overall pick Aatu Raty’s absence after a slow start with Karpat is surprising, 17-year-old JYP prodigy Brad Lambert could make his first mark on the international stage.
Another 2019 gold medalist, Ville Heinola of the Winnipeg Jets, will stabilize and lead the blue line. Returning goalie Kari Piiroinen is the likely starter, but could get a run for his money from Joel Blomqvist. Coach Antti Pennanen’s squad has enough experience and tenacity to fight for a medal – what colour that might be is still to be determined.
SWITZERLAND
Nobody will take the Swiss lightly after they finished fourth and fifth at the 2019 and 2020 World Juniors respectively. Yet it’s tough to foresee coach Marco Bayer’s squad improving on those results after Switzerland had just one NHL-drafted player in 2019 (Valentin Nussbaumer) and none in 2020.
A 3-2 pre-tournament victory over Austria provided a touch of inspiration, with Gaetan Jobin (Gotteron U20) chipping in the winner. Lorenzo Canonica had a promising start with 11 goals and 19 points in 20 games for Lugano’s U20 squad and could make a positive impression here on the Shawinigan Cataractes, his QMJHL club-to-be. But teamwork trumps names for the Swiss, still dreaming of their first medal since 1998’s bronze.
SLOVAKIA
Towering goalie Samuel Hlavaj returns for his third and final World Juniors. Yet while he’s capable of brilliant saves – like robbing the Czech Republic’s Jan Mysak on a backdoor play in the 6-0 exhibition loss – he’s unlikely to get enough support to backstop many wins.
HK Dukla Trencin product Martin Chromiak, a Los Angeles prospect, could be an offensive catalyst in his World Junior debut. Also worth watching is D-man Samuel Knazko, who has honed his skills with TPS Turku organization for the last three years.
Slovakia has finished eighth at seven of its last 11 World Juniors, but could fare better this year if it takes advantage of the underdog Swiss and German squads. Anything can happen when you get to the quarter-finals, as the 2015 Slovak bronze-medal squad will attest.
GERMANY
Due to confidentiality surrounding the recent positive COVID-19 tests on Germany, it’s difficult to project how they’ll fare in Edmonton. The team received a boost on Thursday when 10 more players were released from quarantine, joining the six who were previously released. Yet that still means an undermanned squad.
Staving off Kazakhstan in last year’s relegation round was a major feat for head coach Tobias Abstreiter. We know what a force Tim Stutzle – Ottawa’s #3 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft – can be when the 18-year-old phenom has the puck on his stick. We’ve seen how John Peterka, who notched four goals and two assists last year, can bring physical intensity and go to the dirty areas. But we’ll just have to wait and see how the 2021 team pulls together.
Hard work is the only sure thing. First and foremost, we have to echo the holiday message of IIHF President René Fasel: “I want to take this opportunity to wish health and happiness to all of you who love the game of ice hockey.”
Finland hit new heights in the 2010’s, winning three gold medals (2014, 2016, 2019). Captain Anton Lundell, who played on the 2019 team but missed last year’s tournament due to injury, is back, and the HIFK Helsinki centre is tied for second in Liiga scoring with 12 goals and 20 points. While prospective #1 overall pick Aatu Raty’s absence after a slow start with Karpat is surprising, 17-year-old JYP prodigy Brad Lambert could make his first mark on the international stage.
Another 2019 gold medalist, Ville Heinola of the Winnipeg Jets, will stabilize and lead the blue line. Returning goalie Kari Piiroinen is the likely starter, but could get a run for his money from Joel Blomqvist. Coach Antti Pennanen’s squad has enough experience and tenacity to fight for a medal – what colour that might be is still to be determined.
SWITZERLAND
Nobody will take the Swiss lightly after they finished fourth and fifth at the 2019 and 2020 World Juniors respectively. Yet it’s tough to foresee coach Marco Bayer’s squad improving on those results after Switzerland had just one NHL-drafted player in 2019 (Valentin Nussbaumer) and none in 2020.
A 3-2 pre-tournament victory over Austria provided a touch of inspiration, with Gaetan Jobin (Gotteron U20) chipping in the winner. Lorenzo Canonica had a promising start with 11 goals and 19 points in 20 games for Lugano’s U20 squad and could make a positive impression here on the Shawinigan Cataractes, his QMJHL club-to-be. But teamwork trumps names for the Swiss, still dreaming of their first medal since 1998’s bronze.
SLOVAKIA
Towering goalie Samuel Hlavaj returns for his third and final World Juniors. Yet while he’s capable of brilliant saves – like robbing the Czech Republic’s Jan Mysak on a backdoor play in the 6-0 exhibition loss – he’s unlikely to get enough support to backstop many wins.
HK Dukla Trencin product Martin Chromiak, a Los Angeles prospect, could be an offensive catalyst in his World Junior debut. Also worth watching is D-man Samuel Knazko, who has honed his skills with TPS Turku organization for the last three years.
Slovakia has finished eighth at seven of its last 11 World Juniors, but could fare better this year if it takes advantage of the underdog Swiss and German squads. Anything can happen when you get to the quarter-finals, as the 2015 Slovak bronze-medal squad will attest.
GERMANY
Due to confidentiality surrounding the recent positive COVID-19 tests on Germany, it’s difficult to project how they’ll fare in Edmonton. The team received a boost on Thursday when 10 more players were released from quarantine, joining the six who were previously released. Yet that still means an undermanned squad.
Staving off Kazakhstan in last year’s relegation round was a major feat for head coach Tobias Abstreiter. We know what a force Tim Stutzle – Ottawa’s #3 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft – can be when the 18-year-old phenom has the puck on his stick. We’ve seen how John Peterka, who notched four goals and two assists last year, can bring physical intensity and go to the dirty areas. But we’ll just have to wait and see how the 2021 team pulls together.
Hard work is the only sure thing. First and foremost, we have to echo the holiday message of IIHF President René Fasel: “I want to take this opportunity to wish health and happiness to all of you who love the game of ice hockey.”
Tim Stutzle will lead an undermanned German squad into the tournament.
Group B
RUSSIA
After winning the Karjala Cup in November, new head coach Igor Larionov has reason for optimism – if not overconfidence – as Russia bids to improve on last year’s silver medal and win its first gold since Buffalo 2011.
Larionov has legitimate weapons up front, including captain and third-time World Junior participant Vasili Podkolzin, super-skilled Toronto prospect Rodion Amirov, and surprise Columbus first-rounder Yegor Chinakhov. Blueliners like Daniil Chaika and Shakir Mukhamadullin bring a useful blend of OHL and KHL experience respectively. And Yaroslav Askarov, after a shaky 2020 World Junior debut, is widely viewed as the cream of the goalie crop in Edmonton. The 18-year-old Omsk native had a 0.96 GAA and 96.2 save percentage with the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg this season.
If Larionov maximizes this group’s creativity while maintaining good discipline, the sky’s the limit.
RUSSIA
After winning the Karjala Cup in November, new head coach Igor Larionov has reason for optimism – if not overconfidence – as Russia bids to improve on last year’s silver medal and win its first gold since Buffalo 2011.
Larionov has legitimate weapons up front, including captain and third-time World Junior participant Vasili Podkolzin, super-skilled Toronto prospect Rodion Amirov, and surprise Columbus first-rounder Yegor Chinakhov. Blueliners like Daniil Chaika and Shakir Mukhamadullin bring a useful blend of OHL and KHL experience respectively. And Yaroslav Askarov, after a shaky 2020 World Junior debut, is widely viewed as the cream of the goalie crop in Edmonton. The 18-year-old Omsk native had a 0.96 GAA and 96.2 save percentage with the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg this season.
If Larionov maximizes this group’s creativity while maintaining good discipline, the sky’s the limit.
Rodion Amirov has the potential for a World Juniors breakout.
SWEDEN
The Juniorkronorna hit adversity right out of the gate, losing head coach Tomas Monten and several players to positive COVID-19 tests. However, the deep Swedish talent pool ensures this will still be a very competitive team under replacement coach Joel Ronnmark.
The one-two punch of starting goalie Hugo Alnefelt and Jesper Wallstedt is right up there with the tournament’s best. The blue line is even stronger with Tobias Bjornfot, Victor Soderstrom, and Philip Broberg all on the cusp of NHL breakthroughs. And if top-10 NHL picks Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz take their productive partnership to the next level, opposing goalies are in big trouble.
The Swedes won silver in 2018 and bronze last year. Gold is an ever-present possibility, but since Sweden has only prevailed twice (1981, 2012) in tournament history, there’s always a certain scepticism about their championship hopes.
USA
As with Canada, rust is a factor, but the Americans have the talent needed to top the podium, featuring eight returning players. Like the Finns, the U.S. won three gold medals in the 2010’s (2010, 2013, 2017), and USA Hockey’s 2001-born NTDP class is ready to make its final U20 stand. Last year’s sixth-place finish in the Czech Republic was unacceptable.
From the elite shots of Cole Caufield and Arthur Kaliyev to the uncanny playmaking of Trevor Zegras and Alex Turcotte, the U.S. could contend for the tournament’s top power play. Caufield and Zegras combined for four points in the 3-2 exhibition win over Finland.
Among the blueliners, watch for power play quarterback Cam York to have a much bigger World Juniors after going pointless last year. Jake Sanderson, Ottawa’s #5 overall pick this year, will aim to shine in a shutdown role. And Spencer Knight, the Florida Panthers goalie of the future, brings both skill and consistency between the pipes.
The Juniorkronorna hit adversity right out of the gate, losing head coach Tomas Monten and several players to positive COVID-19 tests. However, the deep Swedish talent pool ensures this will still be a very competitive team under replacement coach Joel Ronnmark.
The one-two punch of starting goalie Hugo Alnefelt and Jesper Wallstedt is right up there with the tournament’s best. The blue line is even stronger with Tobias Bjornfot, Victor Soderstrom, and Philip Broberg all on the cusp of NHL breakthroughs. And if top-10 NHL picks Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz take their productive partnership to the next level, opposing goalies are in big trouble.
The Swedes won silver in 2018 and bronze last year. Gold is an ever-present possibility, but since Sweden has only prevailed twice (1981, 2012) in tournament history, there’s always a certain scepticism about their championship hopes.
USA
As with Canada, rust is a factor, but the Americans have the talent needed to top the podium, featuring eight returning players. Like the Finns, the U.S. won three gold medals in the 2010’s (2010, 2013, 2017), and USA Hockey’s 2001-born NTDP class is ready to make its final U20 stand. Last year’s sixth-place finish in the Czech Republic was unacceptable.
From the elite shots of Cole Caufield and Arthur Kaliyev to the uncanny playmaking of Trevor Zegras and Alex Turcotte, the U.S. could contend for the tournament’s top power play. Caufield and Zegras combined for four points in the 3-2 exhibition win over Finland.
Among the blueliners, watch for power play quarterback Cam York to have a much bigger World Juniors after going pointless last year. Jake Sanderson, Ottawa’s #5 overall pick this year, will aim to shine in a shutdown role. And Spencer Knight, the Florida Panthers goalie of the future, brings both skill and consistency between the pipes.
Cole Caufield is one of Team USA's top junior stars.
CZECH REPUBLIC
It has been 20 years since the Czech Republic last ruled the U20 hockey world with golds in 2000 and 2001. Thumping Slovakia 6-0 in pre-tournament play was a nice confidence boost, but first-time World Junior coach Karel Mlejnek has his work cut out for him. Since earning bronze in 2005, the Czechs have advanced beyond the quarter-finals just once (2018’s fourth-place finish) in 15 attempts.
Shifty captain Jan Mysak had a slow start with HC Litvinov this season, posting one assist in 11 games, and will need to regain the form that netted him 15 goals and 25 points in 22 games for the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs last year. Two-way 19-year-old forward Jaromir Pytlik (Soo Greyhounds) and potential 2021 NHL first-rounder Stanislav Svozil (HC Kometa Brno), a 17-year-old defenceman, are other faces to watch. Returning goalie Nick Malik, a strong puckhandler who’s the son of ex-NHL defenceman Marek Malik, will face a ton of rubber in a stacked Group B.
AUSTRIA
Newly promoted Austria has an incredible opportunity to learn and grow in Edmonton. The Austrians are back in the top division for just the fourth time ever (1981, 2004, 2010).
Head coach Roger Bader will lean heavily on ultra-fit centre Marco Rossi, whose 120 points for the Ottawa 67’s led the OHL last year. But it can’t be a one-man show at this level, so Austria will also need offensive contributions from Senna Peeters, who scored 23 goals for the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads in 2019-20 and is off to a nice start with Rogle’s U20 team in Sweden this year.
Catching the Czechs off-guard is likely Austria’s only hope of making the quarter-finals. Yet since no team will be relegated this year, the Austrians can play without pressure and enjoy this unique experience inside the bubble.
It has been 20 years since the Czech Republic last ruled the U20 hockey world with golds in 2000 and 2001. Thumping Slovakia 6-0 in pre-tournament play was a nice confidence boost, but first-time World Junior coach Karel Mlejnek has his work cut out for him. Since earning bronze in 2005, the Czechs have advanced beyond the quarter-finals just once (2018’s fourth-place finish) in 15 attempts.
Shifty captain Jan Mysak had a slow start with HC Litvinov this season, posting one assist in 11 games, and will need to regain the form that netted him 15 goals and 25 points in 22 games for the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs last year. Two-way 19-year-old forward Jaromir Pytlik (Soo Greyhounds) and potential 2021 NHL first-rounder Stanislav Svozil (HC Kometa Brno), a 17-year-old defenceman, are other faces to watch. Returning goalie Nick Malik, a strong puckhandler who’s the son of ex-NHL defenceman Marek Malik, will face a ton of rubber in a stacked Group B.
AUSTRIA
Newly promoted Austria has an incredible opportunity to learn and grow in Edmonton. The Austrians are back in the top division for just the fourth time ever (1981, 2004, 2010).
Head coach Roger Bader will lean heavily on ultra-fit centre Marco Rossi, whose 120 points for the Ottawa 67’s led the OHL last year. But it can’t be a one-man show at this level, so Austria will also need offensive contributions from Senna Peeters, who scored 23 goals for the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads in 2019-20 and is off to a nice start with Rogle’s U20 team in Sweden this year.
Catching the Czechs off-guard is likely Austria’s only hope of making the quarter-finals. Yet since no team will be relegated this year, the Austrians can play without pressure and enjoy this unique experience inside the bubble.