One of the best moments of the hockey schedule is upon us. The 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship is set to kick off in Buffalo, N.Y., counting nine returning nations and a new entry from Belarus.
The two-week tournament offers plenty of memorable moments for scouts and hockey fans alike, and while it's produced some unfathomable results in recent years, here are three themes to bank on in this year's rendition:
Czech Republic back to respectability
Long gone are the days of Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias tearing up the scoresheet, but the Czech Republic finally appears to be ushering in the next era of top-level talent.
Lining up for the Czechs includes forwards Martin Necas and Filip Chytil, 2017 first-round picks by the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers, respectively. Also representing the Czech Republic is up-and-coming Tampa Bay Lightning blue-liner Libor Hajek.
Meanwhile, a top talent of the coming draft class is sure to catch the eye of scouts: Halifax Mooseheads import Filip Zadina, who has showcased his skill in the QMJHL this season.
The Czechs' talent infusion comes just in the nick of time too, as the nation hasn't won gold at the world juniors since 2001, nor has it taken home a medal in more than a decade.
Finland plays with a vengeance
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Watch out for the Finns. After narrowly avoiding relegation a year ago, Team Finland will be ready to prove their 2017 showing was a fluke. That's hard to argue, given many of the same key players led Finland to gold a year earlier.
This year's rendition features a deep blue line that rivals that of any other top nation, including four first-rounders from last year's draft: Miro Heiskanen, Urho Vaakanainen, Juuso Valimaki, and Henri Jokiharju. Vancouver Canucks prospect Olli Juolevi will also return for his third showing at the juniors.
Canada, USA meet in Finals rematch
The crystal ball shows the top two teams and longtime rivals once again locking horns in the gold-medal game. And much like last year, extra time may be needed to decide the winner.
Entering the tournament, Canada has defensive depth in spades, from 2016 first-rounders Jake Bean and Dante Fabbro, to Conor Timmins and Cale Makar from last year's draft class. Also making the cut is defenseman Victor Mete, who has already played 27 games with the Montreal Canadiens this season.
While it's no doubt an experienced D core, the group's job should be even easier as it's backed up by netminder Carter Hart. The 19-year-old struggled at last year's world juniors, but has had a terrific bounce-back season with the WHL's Everett Silvertips, where he's posted an outstanding .961 save percentage.
As for the Americans, while their defensive core isn't as revered as Team Canada's, the squad boasts plenty of offensive talents who can score in bunches. Nine recent first-round picks will line up at the forward ranks, including Casey Mittelstadt, Kieffer Bellows, and Kailer Yamamoto.
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