Ask a die-hard hockey fan who to watch at a World Junior Championship and you’ll likely get the response, “All of them. In every game.” Indeed, the large majority of players at this annual event will be spending the better part of the next 15 years playing professional hockey, many at the highest level their nation has to offer, if not in the NHL. The young men lining this year’s rosters should be no exception.

Nonetheless, there are a few players from just about every team that do indeed garner special attention. Some teams, such as Canada and the USA, may have a lot more than nations like Austria and Germany heading into the tournament, but we want to take this opportunity to point out some of the young players who should be making a lot of music at this year’s tournament.

Without further ado, here’s who you’re going to watch at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship over the next couple of weeks.

Austria

Luca Auer, F, 17:
He’s been scoring non-stop for the Red Bull Juniors of the Alps Hockey League and already has eight more points than the top scorer had last season - in eight less games. There’s something about his drive to the net and nose for where his teammates are located that makes you wonder if he's going to turn heads at this tournament.

Marco Kasper, F, 17:
Currently being thought of as a likely first-round draft pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the young Austrian has been skating for most of the season with Rogle Angelholm of the Swedish SHL. Although his production has been lacking of late, the loaded club with championship ambitions has continued to find it in its best interest to keep giving him ice time. He’ll now have to be a Mr. Everything for an Austrian side in need of a hero.

Vincenz Rohrer, F, 17:
He’s playing in the OHL and he’s doing quite well as an underager with eight goals and 22 points in 27 games for the Oshawa Generals. There were doubts about whether he’d sink or swim in the OHL, but he’s busy proving the naysayers wrong and will now have a world of opportunity with Austria to strut his stuff against the world’s best.

Canada

Connor Bedard, C, 16:
He’s made it. Just being on this roster is an insanely outstanding achievement for a 16-year-old, even a phenomenon, at this stage and in light of the roster competition. What role he gets is almost secondary, but you’ll want to see every shift as Bedard is “the future” and perhaps the most highly touted Canadian prospect since another Connor, namely McDavid. And don’t forget - Bedard had 14 points in seven games at the U18 Worlds in Texas as a 15-year-old.

Sebastian Cossa, G, 19:
One of the best and most successful starters in the WHL, Cossa has done a lot of winning the past three years. It’s basically all he does. Uncertain whether he’ll even be Canada’s starter, if Cossa gets the call, he brings a whole heck of a lot to the table for a nation that has racked up a lot of medals the past 30 years.

Kent Johnson, LW, 19:
23 points in 17 NCAA games for Michigan is a scoring clip seldom seen from a sophomore at the college level, but the fifth overall draft pick in last summer’s draft is a special offensive talent and can make opponents look like amateurs almost at will. With the talent he’ll be surrounded by at this tournament, there could be quite a few fireworks when Johnson is on the ice.

Jake Neighbours, LW, 19:
Almost making the St. Louis Blues for good this season with an impressive nine-game introduction, Neighbours has continued to produce in a dominant manner since returning to the WHL, much like his Canadian teammate Mason McTavish in the OHL. Still, Neighbours is known for leadership and Canada has him here to deliver that in spades. There’s little reason to believe he won’t.

Cole Perfetti, C, 19:
With 15 points in 17 AHL games, the Winnipeg Jets draft pick is one of the more accomplished pro players performing in this tournament and can play the game any way you want it, although it’s his habit of producing offence that makes him looking like one of the biggest names in Edmonton this winter. He’ll be getting a big role and chances are, he’s up for the challenge in a big way.

Owen Power, D, 19:
Last summer’s number one overall draft pick, Power surprised many in the hockey world by returning to Michigan for a sophomore season before turning pro. After being a top line player for Canada in winning gold at the men’s world championships, Power is basically an NHL-ready everyday player ready to will his country to its next gold medal. All eyes will be on one of the world’s top defensive prospects. Yours should be too!

Shane Wright, C, 17:
It’s uncertain how much ice time Wright will have at this tournament, seeing as how he’s playing for a team that is loaded with talent, but don’t be surprised if he scores well despite less ice time than many of his compatriots. After all, Wright is the odds-on favourite to go first overall in next summer’s draft. Despite modest production with “just” 30 points in 22 OHL games this season, he was unstoppable for Canada at the U18 Worlds with 14 points and a +12 rating in five games.

Olen Zellweger, D, 18:
A below-average sized defenceman, Zellweger is staring at a top pairing role in this tournament thanks to a smooth, confident game that he’s been putting on display for two straight seasons. His 27 points and +24 rating in 22 WHL games this year have him on pace for one of the best PPG averages of a defenceman in that league this century. He also was a key piece to Canada’s U18 gold medal last spring in Texas. Watch this guy continue to excel, turning just about everything he touches into gold.

Czech Republic

Jan Bednar, G, 19:
This New Jersey Devils draft pick is a starter in the QMJHL and has been an up-n-comer for several years now. He’s now looking to man the pipes for a Czech team that has all the makings of not only being a playoff contestant, but perhaps even go for a medal. His performance may be what makes it possible.

David Jiricek, D, 18:
He’s a real hot topic for the upcoming NHL draft and has been an absolute revelation this season as a regular on a top-league blueline. He seems to be able to do it all and we’ll now get to see if that is true against the top of his age group peers from other nations.

Jan Mysak, C/LW, 19:
A top-line player for this Czech squad, Mysak is a Montreal Canadians draft pick and has 31 points in 25 OHL games. An all-rounder with keen hockey sense, Mysak will need to be an important part of the power play and make a lot of music in a short period of time. He’s also coming in with 22 games of AHL experience.

Pavel Novak, RW, 19:
A bit below average in size, the Minnesota Wild draft pick has 31 points in 24 WHL games and has a whole lot of experience on ice surfaces in Alberta. He’s also a returnee who collected three points last winter and will now be a go-to offensive player working with some established players who are all making some noise in Canadian juniors. Look for him to be one of the tournament’s better scorers. 

David Spacek, D, 18:
Son of a former NHLer, Spacek went undrafted last summer, but that didn’t stop him from heading to the QMJHL and now heading to this tournament with 25 points in 27 games. This game is in his blood and there’ll be some top minutes for him to gobble up here. Oh, and he can make some slick passes.

Finland

Joel Blomqvist, G, 19:
The Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick has only played eight games in the Finnish Liiga this year, but he’s killed it. Like really killed it. Sure, the 4-1-1 record is quite nice, but the 0.73 GAA is simply out of this world, as is the 96.4 save percentage. If he can carry over this dominance to his international play, then opponents are going to have their work cut out for them when facing Finland.

Joakim Kemell, RW, 17:
He’s young and he’s dangerous. He looked really good with his six points in five games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer and now he’s got 12 goals and 18 points in 21 Liiga games, which is basically insane production for a guy who is eligible for the NHL draft for the first time. Scouts have noticed, as he’s skyrocketed into the discussion for being plucked among the top three next summer and this tournament could go a long way in solidifying that position.

Ville Koivunen, F, 18:
A prospect of the Carolina Hurricanes, Koivunen was huge for Finland at the U18 Worlds in Texas, collecting 10 points in seven games. He has spent this season showing that that production was no fluke, having collected 19 points in 30 Liiga games, making him one of the top-scoring U20 players whatsoever. Finland now has a prime production role in store for him at this tournament, so get used to seeing his name.

Brad Lambert, F, 18:
Already a contributor of five points last winter, Lambert has speed to burn and is a very hard player to get the puck away from. Coming into the season expected to be one of the top three draft picks in next summer’s NHL draft, Lambert came out of the gates very slowly and has seen his stock drop. Look for him to do all he can to change all that at the U20 Worlds. The talent is undeniable.

Topi Niemela, D, 19:
Already a top scorer at last winter’s tournament with eight points in seven games, Niemela has been having an outstanding season back home in Finland, collecting six goals and 24 points in 31 games, making him the league’s top scoring defenceman. He’s now in Alberta looking to be one of the tournament’s most established, and perhaps most dominant, players.

Kasper Simontaival, RW, 19:
He’s not the biggest fella and his six points in 15 Liiga games this season won’t make you flinch, but Simontaival is a wizard with the puck and can make all sorts of things happen on the ice. Look for some magic along the way because that’s just what Simontaival does.

Germany

Florian Bugl, G, 19:
He’s been a starter for the Red Bull Juniors in the AlpsHL for the better part of two seasons now and his U20 tourney performance last winter included two victories and a 2-1 loss to Russia in the quarter-finals. Now Germany needs someone to be a difference maker and Bugl probably still isn’t on many opponent’s warning lists, putting him in a prime position to deliver an upset punch or two in the preliminary round.

Florian Elias, C, 19:
Undrafted, Elias had nine points in five games at last winter’s event and is now heading to Edmonton as the team’s captain and go-to player. Small in stature, Elias does anything but play small and has been outstanding at various U20 events since this past summer while taking a regular shift in Germany’s DEL. Expect him to be ready to deliver and do just that.

Russia

Yaroslav Askarov, G, 19:
It’s not been his best season as a prospect, based in due part to a lack of playing time thus far, but this is Askarov’s third World Juniors and he enters it as the most experienced goaltender. He also happens to play for a nation that expects a medal and wants to get it done without any participants who are currently playing outside of Russia. He’s got the talent and pedigree to live up to the billing despite the pressure.

Marat Khusnutdinov, C, 19:
A draftee of the Minnesota Wild, Khusnutdinov is having a fine season for SKA in the KHL, one of the few players on this Russian outfit entrusted with top nine minutes at the KHL level. He’ll need to be the go-to guy as a first line player in this tournament and you can bet your bottom dollar that he’ll be ready to show the world what he can do against his peers.

Kirill Kirsanov, D, 19:
A draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings, Kirsanov has been a KHL regular all season and has collected four assists in 20 games. He’ll need to be a pillar of strength on the blueline for Russia this time around and shows up as a returnee of last winter’s tournament, which saw him get considerable ice time.

Matvei Michkov, F, 17:
Along with Bedard of Canada, Michkov is the most exciting U18 player in this tournament and is entering the big event in the midst of an outstanding season back home. With 14 KHL games (five points) under his belt, the slighter sized Michkov has also been tearing apart in the MHL as well. Of course, all that is coming off his outstanding 12-goal, 16-point performance for the silver-medal winning Russia at the most recent U18 Worlds. The sky's the limit for this young goal scorer, and we’re hoping he’ll show why already at this year’s U20 event.

Shakir Mukhamadulin, D, 19:
Currently participating in his third full KHL season, Mukhamadulin has been showing the evolution in his game that the New Jersey Devils dreamed of when making him a first round draft pick. He was part of Russia’s entry last winter and he’ll now be the head honcho on the blueline for Russia, meaning he’ll get the big minutes against the U.S. and Sweden, and then against everyone else in the playoffs.

Vasili Ponomaryov, C, 19:
A veteran of the OHL, Ponomaryov is now a regular skater in the KHL, even if the production has been lacking to date. Nonetheless, he knows his way around the North American rink and will have to bring that experience to the table in all situations. Expect to see him on the ice plenty.

Danila Yurov, RW, 18:
Seen as Russia’s top prospect for the upcoming NHL draft, Yurov has spent just about the whole season in the KHL, where he has failed to score to date. He was nonetheless outstanding at the U18 Worlds with 11 points in seven games and isn’t in the scouts’ favour without good reason. Unclear where exactly the offense will be coming from at this tournament, Yurov may be given plenty of opportunity to make an impact in Red Deer.

Slovakia

Martin Chromiak, F, 19:
A Los Angeles Kings draft pick who went from a likely first round pick to being a 5th rounder, Chromiak has done nothing but be an absolute offensive weapon since his draft year. Tearing apart the OHL with 32 points in 23 games, Chromiak is a sleek power forward who does immense damage crashing in from the right side of the ice and is a thoroughbred who must be given the proper amount of defensive attention, or he’ll crash your party.

Dalibor Dvorsky, C, 16:
Ever since tearing apart the Hlinka Gretzky Cup to the tune of 12 points in five games, Dvorsky’s star has been rising and he’s now put together quite the season at the U20 level in Sweden. In recent weeks, he’s been playing pro hockey at the second-highest level in Sweden, Allsvenskan, and should be a top-two centre in this tournament despite being one of its youngest participants. If he pulls out the tricks, we could be in store for some fireworks.

Simon Nemec, D, 17:
His numbers in Slovakia’s top men’s league may not knock you out of your seat, but experts agree that Nemec brings everything to the table that you want in a top line defenceman at the NHL level. He’s also expected to be a top-10 pick next summer and everyone is excited to see just what he’s capable of against the world’s best.

Juraj Slafkovsky, W, 17:
He’s built like a truck, and he’s been showing his wares in the Finnish Liiga this season as well as wreaking havoc on the nation’s U20 league with 18 points in 11 games. Some see him as a top five draft pick next summer and he’s definitely worth the price admission already now, even if it’s just to watch opponents bounce off him in attempts to defend his attacks.

Sweden

Simon Edvinsson, D, 18:
A high draft pick in last summer’s NHL draft, the towering Edvinsson has been a workhorse and revelation for Swedish powerhouse Frolunda, not only taking a regular shift, but racking up 12 points in 24 games to date. Capable of it all in all three zones, Edvinsson has what it takes to take over a short tournament of this nature and will his team to victory. You won’t be able to miss him.

William Eklund, C, 19:
A first round pick last summer, Eklund collected four assists in nine NHL games for San Jose and has since headed back to Djurgarden of the SHL to collect five assists in nine games. He now comes into this tournament likely lining up with former SHL linemate Alex Holtz and should be one of the most active and productive players you’re going to see. There’s quite an engine here and his skating is a thing of beauty.

Alexander Holtz, RW, 19:
One of two Swedes currently playing in the AHL, Holtz not only has 10 points in 11 games, but has also chipped in two points in six NHL games this season, making him one of this winter’s most accomplished WJC participants. He’s got a rifle of a wrist shot and will be getting top line minutes, so it’s time for Holtz to make the kind of impact experts have felt he’s capable of. You won’t want to miss it.

Jesper Wallstedt, G, 18:
To be clear, any one of Sweden’s three goalies would be a starter on half the contestants in this tournament and Wallstedt is the best of the group. A regular in the SHL, Wallstedt is currently sporting a 1.82 GAA and 92.3 save percentage for Lulea and it’s felt that he may be the world’s top U20 goaltender, heading into this event as a returnee ready to medal for a Swedish team that just missed out on one last winter.

Switzerland

Dario Allenspach, F, 19:
Switzerland’s top player at a disappointing 2021 WJC, Allenspach is in the midst of his second full pro season, his first in the topflight National League. He returns as a leader on a team just dying to reclaim its reputation as a team you can’t afford to underestimate and he’s one of many returnees with this chip on their shoulders. Not the largest player around, Allenspach has a lot of bark and bite, and will be ready to stand out again.

Lian Bichsel, D, 17:
At 195 cm and 98 kg, Bichsel is a huge blueliner who has already spent a good part of this season playing for Leksand of the Swedish SHL. Expected to be a top two-round draft pick next summer, Bichsel does a little bit of everything and will need to in what is an immensely competitive Group B at this event. Look for him to be given every opportunity to exceed.

Lorenzo Canonica, F, 18:
A slick and skilled attacker, Canonica is strutting his stuff with 27 points in 29 QMJHL games and now enters his second U20 tournament needing to be a producer at the highest level. If any player can make something out of nothing offensively for the Swiss, Canonica is the guy.

Simon Knak, F, 19:
Rarely the sum of his parts at international tournaments, Knak is a Nashville Predators draft pick who has a world of talent and it’s time for him to lay it all out on U20 tourney ice. He needs it and his team needs it. Set to captain the Swiss, Knak is as experienced a player at this tournament as you’re going to see - and he’ll need to be in Switzerland is going to find itself in the playoffs.

USA

Matty Beniers, C, 19:
He was drafted second overall last summer and now has 22 points in 20 NCAA games as a freshman. He was on the gold medal-winning team last winter as an industrious two-way forward and is now there as the go-to guy on offence. Sure, he’ll have help, but this is his party to throw. Should be a lot of fun to watch.

Brett Berard, LW, 19:
He’s a little tyke and can be quite the water bug on the ice. He’s been known for a while in US hockey circles but hadn’t really exploded offensively as expected - until now. With 24 points in 21 games for Providence College, he’s having a come-out season offensively and we’re going to go out on a limb a bit in stating that he’ll be a key player for this US team, and one you’ll want to keep an eye on.

Logan Cooley, F, 17:
The top US prospect for the upcoming NHL draft, Cooley is having a decent season that hasn’t seen him put up the kind of points we’ve seen from other U.S. stars in the past, but it’s still above a point-per-game average and the Pittsburgh native is not only strong in the face-off circle, but very responsible in a two-way capacity. He could be this year’s Beniers for Team USA.

Matt Coronato, W, 19:
He’s only gotten into 11 games for Harvard, but already has 12 points as a freshman after a monstrous season for Chicago of the USHL in his draft year, which led him to a selection in the first round. He’s a guy who scores and that’s exactly what Team USA will be employing him to do, likely on the first power play unit. Keep an eye on him because he could be scoring goals with regularity.

Luke Hughes, D, 18:
Imagine being a college freshman and having 18 points and a +13 rating in your first 20 college games. It just doesn’t happen much. But Hughes is making it happen and he’s from a long line of Hughes boys who make things happen. He’s got a winner’s pedigree and can play this game in all three zones. If the USA has a successful tournament, expect him to be right in the middle of things.

Jake Sanderson, D, 19:
As a sophomore, Sanderson is in the middle of a season that is astronomic for offensive defencemen in the NCAA. 19 points in 15 games just doesn’t happen much and he’s just the all-round, minute-munching talent the U.S. will be needing in this tournament. He’s a thoroughbred and you can expect him to perform as such. Enjoy it!