2023 World Junior Championship: Top 10 NHL Draft Prospects
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While the U-18 World Championship is the top event for NHL Draft enthusiasts, the World Junior Championship might just be more fun.
You’ve got the NHL-drafted prospects – including some lent from NHL teams – mixing it up with the next crop of talent ready to have their names called. For many of them, it’s the first real chance to play against older competition on the international stage, allowing scouts to judge them against their closest peers.
This event is unique because it’s the second World Junior Championship since the 2022 draft, all thanks to COVID-19. It’s great to have this tournament where it rightfully belongs – right after Christmas, with the end of the round robin ending just hours before North America begins the new year.
So with only a few months until the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, here’s a look at 10 of the top prospects to watch in Halifax and Moncton over the next two weeks:
Connor Bedard, C/RW (Canada)
It’s unfair just how good Canada’s top line of Bedard, Shane Wright and Brennan Othmann is. You’ve got the top 2023 prospect – a phenom, if you will – mixed with two familiar teammates that produced one of the most dangerous scoring duos in U-16 hockey history. You know all about Bedard by now: projected No. 1 pick, scoring star, loves going 1-on-5 and coming out ahead, etc. Bedard is going to be a game-changing player for whichever team takes him with the first pick. He had a “quiet” tournament in the summer based on expectations, and he still was one of Canada’s best players. After a few extra months of tearing apart the WHL, he’s ready for more.
Adam Fantilli, C/LW (Canada)
Fantilli isn’t just the best draft prospect out of the NCAA – he might be the best college player, period. So while he’s one of the youngest players on the team, Fantilli will be leaned on heavily to bring size and skill to Canada’s second line, likely lining up alongside Logan Stankoven and Dylan Guenther. The 6-foot-2 forward plays a heavy game, isn’t afraid of anyone, period, and he can pick corners and generate offense as good as anyone. He’s a consensus top three pick, but I think I’d be leaning towards him as a No. 2 given the way he’s played against older competition.
Leo Carlsson, C (Sweden)
No European draft prospect has had as explosive of a season as Carlsson, who is destined to hit the 30-point mark in the SHL this year. That’s impressive for any U-20 player, let alone a draft prospect. He’ll turn 18 the day the tournament starts, and that’s when he’ll start showing everyone why he deserves a look in the top three of the 2023 NHL Draft. Carlsson was excellent in U-20 Three Nations play in November, showing off his extraordinary mix of size, speed and skill. One scout recently described him as “the next Mats Sundin.” He’ll be one of Sweden’s most important players this year.
Dalibor Dvorsky, C (Slovakia)
Dvorsky has fallen a bit in the eyes of some scouts this year, but not all of it is due to his own performance – some others have just stood out more. Projected to go in the top 10, Dvorsky has an incredible portfolio at the U-18 level but had a quiet WJC debut a year ago. Slovakia desperately need offense help after scoring just once in two pre-tournament games, but when Dvorsky is on his game, he can be unbeatable.
Alex Ciernik, LW (Slovakia)
Dvorsky might be the top draft prospect out of Slovakia, but Ciernik deserves some significant attention. The 5-foot-10 winger has had a strong season in the Swedish U-20 league and was unstoppable at the Division IA tournament with Slovakia last spring. This will be his first taste of U-20 action but he should slot into Slovakia’s top six, likely alongside Dvorsky. A scoring winger with high upside, some scouts believe he can crack the first round – a good showing in Eastern Canada can help cement that.
Eduard Sale, RW (Czechia)
A projected top 10 pick, all eyes will be on Sale when Czechia plays. The 2005-born forward has spent the whole year in the top men’s league and has looked good, despite his age. He has one of the best minds in the draft, especially regarding decision-making. Add in a quick release and good work ethic and there’s a lot to like. Being an underaged prospect shouldn’t hurt him – Sale will play quite a bit.
Charlie Stramel, LW (USA)
There might not be a forward more interested in pummeling you in this tournament than Stramel, a returning forward. The big man from the University of Wisconsin hasn’t produced much as a freshman, but he has made his presence known with 42 penalty minutes in 18 games. Stramel played just one game for the Americans last year, but the projected first-round pick caught the eye of the USA coaching staff and should give him ample opportunities to thrive.
Gavin Brindley, RW (USA)
It’ll be interesting to see how Brindley is utilized for USA after spending time on the bottom line during pre-tournament play. A potential first-rounder, Brindley has been a nice secondary offensive option for the Wolverines this year, mainly as a playmaker. Don’t let his size fool you – Brindley is tenacious. He wants the puck as badly as anyone, and he’ll pressure you all night long to make it happen. Brindley is quick, does an excellent job of keeping calm under pressure and can sometimes wow you with a bit of pizzazz. I think he’ll turn into an effective middle-six forward in the NHL.
Axel Sandin Pellikka, D (Sweden)
Perhaps the timing of the WJC is a detriment to Pellikka, who was starting to show what he was capable of in the SHL. His ice time gradually grew with every game after bouncing between the U-20 and SHL levels to get as many opportunities as possible. But that’s a good thing for Sweden, who gets a young defender flying high with confidence with tremendous skill to boot. A projected first-round pick, Pellikka has never played with the U-20 team, but he has nearly a point per game in U-18 competition. That’s because he sees the ice so well, pinches when he needs to and has spent significant time playing against older competition for a few years now. With some key defenders missing off Sweden’s roster this year, this could be a great opportunity for him to keep rising the ranks.
David Reinbacher, D (Austria)
Austria needs all the defensive help they can get – luckily, Reinbacher is up for the challenge. He had a pair of assists in August and has already started skating with the men’s national team. He’s playing full-time with EHC Kloten in the top Swiss-based league, and he has a .5 points-per-game average early. Scouts will keep a close eye on him thanks to his good puck-moving abilities, frame and smarts away from the puck.
Other notables: Ian Scherzer, C (Austria), Martin Misiak, C (Slovakia), Rainers Rullers, C (Latvia), Maxim Strbak, D (Slovakia), Rodzers Bukarts, C (Latvia)