IIHF World Junior Championship: Top Contenders and Players to Watch

Canada Aims for Third Straight Gold Amid Stiff Competition, with Key Contributions Expected from Flyers Prospects and Projected No. 1 NHL Draft Pick Macklin Celebrini

Canada is aiming for a third straight gold medal in the IIHF World Junior Championship, but will face stiff competition from a deep United States squad, the host country, and Slovakia.
Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier is expected to be a key player for the United States, having scored 23 points in 17 games this season.
Oliver Bonk is expected to play a significant role for Canada, especially after injuries to Tanner Molendyk and Tristan Luneau.
Slovakia's Alex Čiernik, another Flyers prospect, could be a surprise standout in the tournament.
Projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Macklin Celebrini, is one of the top players to watch in the tournament.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Forbes