World Juniors 2023

2022 - 12 - 20

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Image courtesy of "620 CKRM.com"

Bedard leads Canadian roster at 2023 World Juniors in Halifax (620 CKRM.com)

There are usually only two things on Canadian minds during the holiday season. Christmas and the IIHF U-20 World Junior Hockey Championships.

The freshman forward has eleven goals in 16 games with the Wolverines this season. The fourth pick in this past year’s NHL Draft has spent time with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley where he has scored four goals in five games. Korchinski leads Seattle with 25 assists so far this season while Allan has picked up five goals and nine assists with the Thunderbirds. Clarke has played in nine games for the Los Angeles Kings picking up two assists. On the scoresheet it has been a successful season for the likely number one pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, after failing to register a point in the season opener against Moose Jaw, Bedard has collected points in the following 27 games with Regina before departing for Halifax. In nine games at the World Juniors, the Regina Pats captain has collected eight goals and five assists.

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Image courtesy of "Western Hockey League"

World Juniors Bound: Connor Bedard – WHL Network (Western Hockey League)

As we count down to the start of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, we're featuring each of the 11 WHL players set to represent Canada at the event.

We see the talent on ice, we see the moves he makes and all the clips, but there’s so much that he does off camera – behind the scenes – that allows him to be that good and be that successful. "Such a good player, but you'd never know. “He cares about taking care of himself properly and cares about his game. But with all the chatter about his professional future, and what might happen on that last week of June in the Volunteer State, Bedard has consistently been able to focus on the task at hand. [told the Canadian Press.](https://www.moosejawtoday.com/national-sports/hes-incredible-bedard-once-again-turning-heads-at-canadas-world-junior-camp-6228620) The Western Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League scoring leader has been, in a word, sensational through the first half of the 2022-23 season, with a second chance to represent Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship serving as another opportunity to generate even more excitement ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville.

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Image courtesy of "The Hockey News"

The Hockey News 2023 World Juniors Predictions (The Hockey News)

As we approach the world juniors, it's time for some of THN.com's contributors to bravely guess the medalists and top players.

Otten: Connor Bedard (CAN) Who shares your opinion? Thank you to all who participated.

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Image courtesy of "The Hockey Writers"

3 Canucks Prospects to Watch at 2023 World Juniors (The Hockey Writers)

Featuring some of the best young talent hockey has to offer, the Vancouver Canucks haven't had a marquee prospect take part in this tournament since Vasily ...

- Dec. Here is the full schedule of games for the group stage: Like I said, stranger things have happened. [favourite of goaltending coach Ian Clark](https://www.vancouverhockeynow.com/2022/07/12/vancouver-canucks-nhl-hockey-ian-clark-aku-koskenvuo-goalies-finland) has had a tale of two seasons – one in North America and one overseas. The 6-foot-4 So, in a short tournament where Sweden will be without the hulking presence of Simon Edvinsson, not to mention only one other defenceman on the roster that is over 6-foot-1 (Adam Engstrom), we might be surprised by how big of a role he receives. [Calle Odelius](https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/calle-odelius/) and 2023 top prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka, he might find himself in the press box more often than not. 8 and has not seen the J20 Nationell since Nov. 26 game](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/lekkerimaki-canucks-prospect-concussion) against Vasteras IK, which almost derailed his chances of participating in the tournament. Unfortunately, he has not gotten off to a good start as he only has one goal and five points in 20 games and has not scored since Oct. Featuring some of the best young talent hockey has to offer, the Vancouver Canucks haven’t had a marquee prospect take part in this tournament since The 2023 World Juniors, which are being held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick this year, will begin on Dec.

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Image courtesy of "FloHockey"

2023 World Junior Championship: Team Canada Preview ... (FloHockey)

Another star-studded entry will make Canada heavy favorites to repeat for gold, but are they unbeatable?

Nothing is guaranteed anyone in this World Junior Championship because we've seen plenty of crazy results in the past. I don't think they'll be a slow team by any means, but they probably won't be the fastest team in this event. It seems to be that every team will have to answer the same questions. Their entire D corps, with the exception of their No. They will also be the tournament's oldest team based on average age. There's just too much depth on this team to expect they won't produce and potentially produce in great number. If there's one area for concern, Canada does not boast the strongest goaltending duo, though that is not uncommon for this particular year as many teams will share Canada's concern. The roster is balanced with a good dose of size and quite a bit of dynamic skill. Since 2010, Canada has won four times, the United States has won four, Finland has won three and each of Russia and Sweden have won once. Though Canada did claim its 19th gold in the history of the tournament last summer during the rescheduled 2022 World Juniors, there has not been a repeat champion going back to 2009 when Canada completed a run of five consecutive golds. So much so that it is no longer a foregone conclusion that the Canadians will win the gold medal. Every World Junior Championship for the last 20 (or more) years has started with the simple question -- Can anyone beat Canada?

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Image courtesy of "EP Rinkside"

Meet the Team: Sweden's roster for the 2023 World Juniors - EP ... (EP Rinkside)

Elite Prospects Swedish scout Jimmy Hamrin offers an in-depth breakdown of the Swedish roster at the 2023 World Juniors.

Sweden has many first-round picks upfront with the potential to have a good tournament but none with experience taking on a leadership role for their club team. Even a relatively weak team by their lofty standards would be the envy of most of the hockey world. Game-breaking talents who can lead this group to the promised land. Still, this year's group is going to be in tough to top the bronze that their country captured in the summer World Juniors just a few short months ago. Anything less is a disappointment. That's the default for Sweden.

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Image courtesy of "On The Forecheck"

2023 World Junior Championship Preview: Part I (On The Forecheck)

It's that time of year again! The 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship (WJC) is nearly upon us. If it feels like it hasn't been that long since the last ...

2021 Julian Lutz (F) Jakub Kos (F) Jaroslav Chmelar (F) 2022 Fabian Lysell (F) Victor Stjernborg (F) Isak Rosén (F) Simon Robertsson (F) Oskar Pettersson (F) Shane Wright (F) Reid Schaefer (F)

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Image courtesy of "Habs Eyes on the Prize"

2023 World Junior Hockey Championship: Team Finland preview ... (Habs Eyes on the Prize)

The roster may not be as strong as in previous years, but Finland could still end up playing for a medal.

I think Finland will end up playing in the medal rounds, most likely facing Sweden in a bronze medal game. [NHL draft](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-draft) prospect who is a point behind Kapanen in scoring in Liiga. Heimosalmi was the more tutored prospect and continues his strong progress in Ässet. Liiga [Montreal Canadiens](https://www.habseyesontheprize.com)’ prospect Oliver Kapanen has played well in Liiga this year, he isn’t the player that you want as your first-line centre going into the medal rounds. However, looking at the team this year, I am doubtful that Finland can achieve the same success as before.

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Image courtesy of "Sportsnet.ca"

Future Considerations: 2023 draft eligible players to watch at the WJC (Sportsnet.ca)

The WJC is traditionally a tournament more for drafted players who are 19 years old, but the 2023 draft class is so strong that a number of them will be ...

Here is an example of Reinbacher working a give and go from his zone before sending an outlet through the neutral zone. Team Austria will likely be under duress for much of this tournament and counting on Reinbacher to log a ton of ice time in all situations. He stood out with his offence and ability to make plays at even strength and the power-play. I will be monitoring the role Brindley is asked to play for Team USA and how he reacts to the responsibility. At times he struggles on the defensive side of the ledger. He shields pucks, bodies up along the wall, has a great release, and creates chances from the flank on the power play. I will be interested to see how he adapts to the elite pace and skill of this tournament. If he does get a chance it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure on the biggest stage for junior age prospects. Stramel had a solid training camp in Plymouth, Mich., with Team USA and earned his spot on the team. Fantilli will very likely be a top three pick in the draft. Things like winning face-offs in the defensive zone and tracking back to assist on the back-check (off the puck) can be as important as scoring when prospects become NHL players. A player who could end up carrying a team at the NHL level for several years.

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