The 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Champions just finished recently. Canada ended by winning its 19th title in thrilling fashion (over Finland). Mason McTavish won the MVP, leading the tournament in scoring with 17 points in seven games. The third-overall pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (Anaheim Ducks) increased his stock as he figures to be a fixture on the Calder Memorial Trophy NHL odds this coming season.
Kent Johnson: OVERTIME HERO! 🇨🇦 @HockeyCanada #worldjuniors pic.twitter.com/FusvzwMyg9
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 21, 2022
McTavish played in nine games with the Ducks last season, scoring a pair of goals. He is figuring to play a larger role this season. There were other high-profile prospects in the World Juniors who impressed, while some could’ve used a better tournament to help their profile.
Stock Rising
1. Kent Johnson, F, Canada
McTavish may have been the best player in the tourney, It was Johnson who had the biggest moments in the tournament. The 2021 fifth-overall pick (Columbus Blue Jackets) pulled off “The Michigan” in the semis against Czechia before scoring the tourney-winning goal the next day. The 19-year-old had nine points in the tourney.
2. Joakim Kemell, F, Finland
The 18-year-old Finn was the best player in the World Juniors, outside of Team Canada. He finished second in scoring with 12 points, scoring the game-tying goal in the final game. The Nashville Predators may have a steal in Kemell, who was taken 17th overall in the 2022 draft.
3. Jan Mysak, F, Czechia
Mysak finished the tournament tied for second in goals (5). He was the biggest reason for Czechia’s fourth-place finish here, proven to be a workhorse. He was playing in all situations during the game, leading the forwards in ice time. That might make the Montreal Canadiens take a second look at him this season.
4. Logan Stankoven, F, Canada
So, lost with all the McTavish-Johnson hype was Stankoven. He tied for second on the team in goals (4) and was fourth in scoring (10 points) in the tournament. Notably, he assisted on Johnson’s gold medal-winning goal against Finland. The Dallas Star won 76 percent of his faceoffs and was a catalyst for many of Canada’s goals.
5. Emil Andrae, D, Sweden
The Philadelphia Flyers may have found a sleeper with Andrae. Sweden’s tourney captain carried his team to a bronze medal, leading the non-Canadian defensemen in scoring (eight points). He also scored Sweden’s game-winning goal in the quarters against Latvia. As a second-round pick, bet online on Andrae to make the Flyers’ roster this season.
Stock Falling
1. Oskar Olausson, F, Sweden
There is a decent chance Olausson plays for the Colorado Avalanche this season. The departure of Nazem Kadri, among others, means the defending Stanley Cup champs need some scoring. That is supposedly what the 19-year-old Olausson is bringing. He was absent more often than not during the tourney (one goal in seven games).
2. Matt Knies, F, USA
It was enjoyable watching Knies play. The power forward emphasized the former, making his presence felt with some big hits in the tournament. Just ask William Wallinder. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect could have finished with more than just three assists in total. He did make many costly errors, though, with his team arguably worse when at times when he was on the ice.
3. David Jiricek, D, Czechia
Jiricek was the sixth-overall pick in this last draft (Columbus Blue Jackets), and was supposed to be a lynchpin for the Czechia defense. Instead, he became just another guy on the ice, as he often looked hesitant, disengaged or both He finished the tournament with two points, though he did score during the semis and bronze-medal games. Ay least that helped his team’s sports betting odds.
4. Ville Koivunen, F, Finland
It’s been a tough summer for Koivunen. While he was on fire in the original tournament last December, the Carolina Hurricane was held pointless in six games this summer. Also, his ice time evaporated noticeably, so here’s hoping his confidence is not shot. He’s still far away from cracking the deep roster of the ‘Canes,
