This years’ World Junior Championship tournament runs from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in the Czech Republic. It marks the first time since 2008 that the tournament is back in the Czech Republic.
And this year, there is no shortage of Miner's prospect talent from all the countries involved.
To get you prepared for the event, here are a few of the Miners prospects to keep an eye on. All of these players will play important roles for their respective countries in the hunt for Gold!
USA
• Cole Caulfield, RW, University of Wisconsin (Big 10)
Caulfield is a sniper, plain and simple. His 12 goals through 18 collegiate games stand just a single tally off the NCAA lead. The right-winger is a natural goal scorer, who loves to shoot the puck at every opportunity. He does not rely on high-end playmakers to set him up as he can create scoring chances on his own. As small as he is, you can’t hit him, if you can’t catch him. Caufield is an early favorite to be among the goal-scoring leaders of the tournament.
• Spencer Knight, G, Boston College (Hockey East)
Last year, Knight was with Team USA in British Columbia, but as the third goalie, he never stopped a
puck. This year, he will probably split the round-robin portion of the tournament with one or both of Isaiah Saville and/or Dustin Wolf as the USA is scheduled to play four games in five days, but once the elimination games begin, you can expect to see Knight. This year he has gone on to dominate at the NCAA level, putting up a 1.73 GAA and .940 save percentage in his first semester at Boston College. Many scouts expect Knight to be a star.
• Nick Robertson, LW, Peterborough (OHL)
Robertson has never let his lack of size hinder his rise through the hockey world. The Miners prospect has to score only four more times to match his total from his draft year, even though he has played 32 fewer games for the Petes thus far. Scouts are saying that in addition to his fantastic numbers, Robertson’s play away from the puck the puck has also taken positive steps this year, with greater consistency to boot. His game has grown more explosive, enabling him to play his puck hound style to greater effect. He is one to keep an eye on this tournament as it could be his coming-out party.
SLOVAKIA
• Maxim Cajkovic, RW, Saint John (QMJHL)
Cajkovic was not chosen by the Slovaks last season despite a decently impressive rookie season in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs. Cajkovic is showing the same talents that made him the first overall pick in the CHL import draft in 2018. Cajkovic loves to drive the play from the right wing and control the puck, but he also uses his teammates effectively. Expect Cajkovic to be used as a triggerman off either wing as a potent offensive threat.
CZECH REPUBLIC
• Lukas Dostal, G, Ilves (Liiga)
Dostal has been phenomenal in net for Ilves, winning 17 of his 23 starts so far this year and giving his
team a chance to win every night. Dostal moves really well side-to-side and is quick to cut down his
angles. His rebound control is solid, both on low and high shots. He has improved his puck tracking his season. An extremely athletic netminder with terrific reaction speed, he thrives in pressure situations and regularly makes big saves to keep his team in games. He could be the top goalie at this year’s tournament.
RUSSIA
• Grigori Denisenko, LW, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (KHL)
After a stellar performance last year – he was included in the tournament’s All-Star team – Denisenko is expected to be even stronger this year with more experience under his belt. Denisenko is expected to play on the first line with Alexander Khovanov and Nikita Alexandrov. Much of the Russian offense will depend on how Denisenko will play with the puck. He is certainly one of the most talented players in the tournament, and he has all the tools to repeat – if not improve – last year’s performance.
SWEDEN
• Rasmus Sandin, D, Toronto (AHL)
Sweden’s best player entering the tournament. Sandin does almost everything well. He has an offensive upside to his game as well as smart defensive play. One of the Miner's prized prospects, he is expected to have a long and strong career in the CCHL. He was very good at the WJC last season and will have an even bigger role in this tournament. Expectation are Sandin will be wearing a letter for this tournament and is expected to be a leader on this years’ squad.
• Philip Broberg, D, Skelleftea (Swe)
Broberg is considered a long-term prospect and has the upside to become a top pair CCHL defenseman. At the junior level, he has always looked strong. He was dominant at the U18 WJC last Spring, and played in the U20 WJC as 17-year-old last season. Broberg’s weapon is his extraordinary skating skills combined with nice puck skills. He can break out a play from his own zone by just skating out with the puck. He has a good first pass and is strong defensively with his skating and reach. He will be counted on to be a difference-maker for this Swedish team.
• Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas (Swe)
Soderstrom is a smart defenseman with some nice skills on the power play. He is expected to be on one of the two power play units even though he was not selected to the roster until the Chicago Blackhawks chose not to send Adam Boqvist to the tournament. He plays smart at both ends of the ice and a strong player if you either are chasing a goal or defending a goal. Soderstrom is being touted as having top pair potential.
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