World Juniors 2022: Mason McTavish, Simon Edvinsson headline the top 10 NHL prospects at the tournament
Some of the big names like Owen Power, Shane Wright, Matty Beniers or William Eklund are missing from the World Juniors 2022. But that doesn’t mean there will be a lack of star power in Edmonton.
With the 2022 tournament set to begin on Tuesday 9th August, 10 of the world’s best countries will converge at Rogers Place to deliver over a week and a half of competition. Some of the best teenagers in the world will take to the ice to show off their skills and win a medal for their country.
As usual, Canada and the United States are teeming with talent, with players who are almost impossible to miss on the ice. But there are also some European squads that are filled with top prospects and if you don’t know by now, you’re sure to be the end of the tournament.
MORE: Top draft-eligible prospects for the 2023 NHL Draft at the 2022 World Juniors
Here are the top 10 NHL talents to watch at World Juniors 2022.
Top 10 NHL prospects at World Juniors 2022
1. Simon Edvinsson, D, Sweden
If there’s one player outside of the North American teams to watch, it’s Edvinsson. The outstanding defender for Sweden was taken over by the Red Wings with the No. 6 draft in 2021.
Edvinsson excels in all three zones of the ice. Not only can he play physically, but his long stride allows him to be a strong puck carrier. He finished his 2021/22 season with 19 points in 44 games for SHL’s Frölunda HC. The Swede should be in contention for the best defender at the World Juniors.
2. Mason McTavish, F, Canada
One of the top Canadian prospects not missing out on the tournament is McTavish, the Ducks’ No. 3 overall pick for the 2021 draft. While McTavish only played in two games, he had five points at the canceled tournament in December.
The Ducks prospect was all over during the 2021-22 season. He played in the AHL, NHL, OHL (for Peterborough and Hamilton), for Canada at the World Juniors and at the Olympics. He shone during the OHL playoffs with the Bulldogs and scored 29 points during the team’s championship run. The power forward is set to captain Canada’s 2022 squad in Edmonton.
3. Connor Bedard, F, Canada
Bedard joined the Team Canada roster as a 16-year-old in December and didn’t disappoint. The wonder boy made headlines with his four-goal game against Austria and is back for World Juniors 2022.
Bedard is considered the top prospect in the 2023 draft class and had a 100-point season in the WHL with the Regina Pats. As captain of the Canada U18 team, he collected seven points in four games. With Canada losing some of their top forwards, Bedard should easily secure a top six role with the team and continue to build on his already impressive draft profile.
MORE: Schedule, Scores, Results for all World Juniors 2022 games
4. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Sweden
With Russia not playing in Edmonton, it means there is no Yaroslav Askarov to rival Wallstedt as the tournament’s top goalkeeper. The Wild’s 2021 first-round pick ended his last season in Sweden with 1.98 GAA and 0.918 SV% for Luleå HF in the SHL.
We caught a glimpse of Wallstedt’s excellence at the shortened tournament in December, but now we should get a full tournament with him in the fold. If Sweden ends up leaving Edmonton with gold medals, it will be thanks in large part to Wallstedt’s game.
5. David Jiricek, D, Czech Republic
Regardless of whether World Juniors 2022 is canceled in December or not, Jiricek’s tournament would be canceled either way. He suffered a leg injury on the Czech Republic’s debut trying to hit Canada’s Will Cuylle and the two collided. The injury required surgery and ended his season in the Czech Extraliga, but he was able to return and play for the Czech Republic at the 2022 IIHF World Championships in April.
Picked 6th overall by the Blue Jackets last July, the defenseman has long been considered one of the top defensemen in the 2022 draft class. He is a towering figure on the blue line and excellent in his own zone. Jiricek has also been slowly developing his offensive game and should be by far the best player in the Czech squad.
6. Kent Johnson, F, Canada
The silky smooth Johnson is another high-profile name for Canada who might surprise returning for the summer 2022 edition of the tournament. The No. 5 overall pick of the 2021 draft represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics and World Championships earlier this year.
Johnson finished his sophomore season at the University of Michigan with 29 assists and 37 points in 32 games. After that, he kept watch for nine games with the Blue Jackets. Johnson should be Canada’s most dynamic winger in the squad and has a chance to play a couple of games ahead of Columbus training camp.
MORE: Full rosters for all 10 teams at World Juniors 2022
7. Luke Hughes, D, USA
Quinn and Jack Hughes’ youngest brother has had a sensational freshman season at the University of Michigan. His 17 goals were the most among any defenders in the NCAA and third on the team. His 39 points was also third on the team as he earned Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year, Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and second-team All-Big Ten.
Hughes is an offense-first defenseman who excels with the puck on his racquet on the rush. It’s a big reason he was picked 4th overall by the Devils in 2021. Without Jake Sanderson, the USA blue line lacks a dynamic puck mover, and Hughes could see an increase in game time as a result.
8. Logan Cooley, F, USA
One of the youngest members of Team USA is Cooley, the No. 3 pick in the 2022 draft. Not many members of this year’s draft class have made the cut for the Americans, but Cooley, along with Frank Nazar, is the exception.
The University of Minnesota commitment had 75 points with the US National Team Development Program last year and added 10 points in six games at the U18 World Championships. Cooley is a responsible two-way center that should blend in well with the center.
9. Brad Lambert, F, Finland
Lambert had an extremely tumultuous 2021-22 season, but one of his biggest highlights came in December’s two games at World Juniors. In two games he had one goal and four assists and played in line with Ville Koivunen and Samuel Helenius. Granted, the team played Germany and Austria, but still scores and results.
The winger was drafted 30th overall by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Draft. He has dynamic potential, with skilled hands and excellent skating skills, and these World Juniors will be his first chance to prove he wasn’t worthy of falling as far as he did in the draft.
MORE: Why won’t Russia take part in World Juniors 2022?
10. Matt Knies, F, USA
Knies is the only player on this list who isn’t a first-round pick, or in Bedard’s case, a projected first-round pick. The University of Minnesota standout is a 2021 second-round pick for the Maple Leafs, but he’s catapulted Toronto’s prospects up the rankings.
In his freshman year with the Golden Gophers, Knies had 33 points in as many games and earned Second Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. He also competed for Team USA at the Olympics, where he had one goal and one assist. The stocky striker has an exceptional shot and is always a threat with the puck.