Top 15 NHL prospects to watch at the 2026 World Juniors

The 50th running of the World Junior Hockey Championship kicks off on Friday, Dec. 26, with teams chasing gold in Minnesota.

It’s the top junior hockey showcase of the year, featuring the best U-20 competition from around the globe. Macklin Celebrini, Matthew Schaefer, Ben Kindel and Beckett Sennecke are the only eligible players missing out this year, but it’s an otherwise stacked tournament with high-quality competition.

Here’s a look at 15 of the most notable prospects to watch, with a handful having NHL experience this season:

Harrison Brunicke, RHD, Canada (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Brunicke’s impressive training camp kept him with the big club throughout the first half of the NHL season. He ultimately played nine NHL games (just before his entry-level contract would take effect) before being assigned to the AHL on a conditioning assignment. He played well with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – but the plan was always to send him to the World Juniors once camp opened. Now that he’s with Canada, look for him to occupy the No. 2 RHD spot, where he’ll be expected to eat a lot of minutes.

Cole Eiserman, LW, USA (New York Islanders)

Considered to be one of the greatest USNTDP players ever to represent the program, this will be Eiserman’s swan song to junior national team action – expect something big. Eiserman was a menace with and without the puck back in Ottawa. He’s producing well in the NCAA as a sophomore at Boston University, despite missing time with injury. He’ll always be known more as a shooter, but he can chirp with the best of them.

Victor Eklund, LW, Sweden (New York Islanders)

Eklund had a great showing at this event a year ago and should remain a key point-producer, even if scoring has been (surprisingly) limited out of him this year. He’s one of the hardest-working players on this Swedish team, something he proved already with the U-20 team. He has a great shot, too, which makes it crazy that he only has one goal in the SHL. Look for him to do a lot of damage on the power play – once he gets some quality puck touches, he’ll be set.

Anton Frondell, C, Sweden (Chicago Blackhawks)

Frondell started off so hot in the SHL, only for his ice time to diminish in recent weeks. His usage has been odd, but at his best, Frondell has established himself as one of the top 2007-born forwards in the world. With Frondell expected to be Sweden’s No. 1 center, there’s little reason to believe he won’t be a huge part of this team’s medal chase. He’s smart, big, skilled, and has a lethal shot. This tournament should get Blackhawks fans excited about the future. 

Carter George, G, Canada (Los Angeles Kings)

George is set to reprise his role after putting up a solid .936 save percentage through four games a year ago. Canada was ultimately knocked out in the quarterfinals, but George was one of the best goaltenders in the tournament, barnone. He has been one of the best goalies in the OHL over the past three years, facing plenty of shots on an Owen Sound Attack team that has frequently struggled in its own zone. Look for a huge tournament out of him.

Michael Hage, C, Canada (Montreal Canadiens)

Hage made a great impression during Canada’s camp, thrusting him into the second-line center role. He’s strong, smart and plays an excellent two-way game. Hage has been incredibly productive for Michigan this year, and now he’s ready to be a matchup nightmare for opponents over the next two weeks in Minnesota. He’s a future No. 2 center – someone who’ll compete hard every shift while giving little room for failure.

James Hagens, C, USA (Boston Bruins)

Hagens is USA’s most important player up front, centering the top line for the second straight year. He’ll be counted on as a leader – playing all situations, especially late in games. Hagens hasn’t had an explosive season by any means in college, but he provides good defensive support and does a lot to retrieve the puck. It’s easy to write USA off this year, but Hagens will do everything in his power to prove people wrong.

Will Horcoff, C, USA (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Horcoff put up a solid 10 points in 18 games at Michigan last year after leaving the USA Hockey National Team Development Program early. It took him seven games to surpass that this year. Horcoff has been averaging just under a goal per game, making him a legitimate Hobey Baker Award candidate. He’s huge, smart and plays a high-tempo game while being an absolute force to deal with around the net. At 6-foot-5 and over 200 pounds, it’s hard to miss him – and he’s going to cause chaos.

Cole Hutson, LHD, USA (Washington Capitals)

Hutson was the tournament’s top scorer last year, which was surprising given he’s a blueliner, of course. But anyone who has watched him the past few years know how dangerous he is, just like his brother, Lane. Cole has always been a lethal offensive threat for the United States, failing to register double-digit points just once in his four previous major international tournaments (he still led all blueliners with nine assists at the 2022 U-17s). Hutson might be the most skilled defender in this class – and as long as he plays a stable game in his own zone, USA should be fine.

Adam Jiříček, LHD, Czechia (St. Louis Blues)

Fresh off his OHL defenseman of the month honor, Jiříčeklooks to be a leading figure in his third and final WJC. He had an impressive five assists a year ago in a season that started off on the back burner due to injuries. Few CHL blueliners have been as dominant on the puck as Jiříček has, and it would be silly to think he won’t do the same in Minnesota. He’s really starting to live up to potential – look for Jiříček to play heavy minutes in a leading role for the Czechs.

Porter Martone, RW, Canada (Philadelphia Flyers)

Martone is expected to be Canada’s top right winger, potentially alongside San Jose Sharks forward Michael Misa and top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna. Martone took the leap to the NCAA this season, where he’s working on becoming stronger and faster. Those are two things scouts wanted to see out of him after his draft year, with the Flyers ultimately taking him sixth overall in June. So far, so good – Martone leads Michigan State, one of the top teams in the country, with 20 points in 16 games.

Julius Miettinen, C, Finland (Seattle Kraken)

With the Finns missing out on Konsta Helenius, they’re going to need everyone to step up the best they can. Miettinen is tracking for 100 points this year with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, using his big 6-foot-4 frame to dominate the competition, especially in front of the net. He boasts a hard shot, and he’s also a solid two-way player, as well. Miettinen has never really been an offensive leader at the national team level, but he rarely has an off night when he wears the blue and white.

Michael Misa, C, Canada (San Jose Sharks)

Getting Misa from the NHL is absolutely massive for the Canadians. His ability to drive the net and create chances is better than just about anyone’s at this tournament – especially after spending the past few months playing and training against NHLers. The Oakville, Ont., native won the CHL’s MVP title last year, and it’s only a matter of time until he’s a certified NHL star. It’s still unbelievable that he wasn’t invited to camp a year ago.

Radim Mrtka, RHD, Czechia (Buffalo Sabres)

Taken in the first round in 2025, Mrtka turned heads with his great showing at the Buffalo Prospects Challenge. He ultimately was sent down to the AHL before getting loaned back to the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, for whom he’s been a significant contributor. Mrtka has been one of the top defensemen in U-20 national team action, regardless of country, and he’ll see plenty of ice time in all situations.

Zayne Parekh, RHD, Canada (Calgary Flames)

Remember when Canada cut Parekh a year ago? Interesting times, indeed. Parekh has spent the whole season in the NHL, registering just one assist in 11 games. It’s not the Calder-caliber performance many expected. But with the Flames’ struggles and a lack of open power-play time for Parekh, it has led to middling production. An injury in early November didn’t help, either. Fortunately, he looked good to go during the pre-tournament and should be relied on heavily as Canada’s top power-play quarterback.

Other notables: Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Canada (New York Islanders); Logan Hensler, RHD, USA (Ottawa Senators); Jett Luchanko, C, Canada (Philadelphia Flyers); Brady Martin, C, Canada (Nashville Predators); Tij Iginla, LW, Canada (Utah Mammoth); Trevor Connelly, LW, USA (Vegas Golden Knights)

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