It’s that point of the yr when Santa Claus and his elves are busy getting ready to ship presents to the kids all world wide. Once I was youthful, that will have gotten me excited in regards to the shortly approaching Christmas Day, however as time has handed the joys of opening items has worn down. However one factor about this time of the yr nonetheless has me on pins & needles with anticipation identical to I used to be as a younger lad……the World Junior Championship match!!
I can’t recall all of the specifics off the highest of my head, however after I shut my eyes I see flashes of so many good reminiscences revolving round this occasion. My cousins and I sneaking away from household vacation occasions to take a look at how Workforce Canada was doing. The epic battles between the Maple Leaf and the Sickle & Hammer that had the underlying theme of Democracy versus Communism within the 1980’s, because the Canadians & Soviet Union dominated that decade (mixed gained 8 out of 10 championships). The 1990’s have been even higher for a True Norther, as our nation took 7 out of 10 championships throughout that span….most likely one of many many causes I’ll at all times love that decade. Jonathan Toews scoring on all three shootout makes an attempt to seal a gold medal for the Canucks. Jordan Eberle’s heroics over two championships, the place he set a report for many objectives by a Canadian junior participant (14). After all, extra lately younger phenom Connor Bedard ended up re-writing the report books with 17 crimson lights lit in his two tournaments. And Canada has a brand new rival previously decade, combining with the US to win 8 out of the final 9 tournaments. So many good occasions….
As at all times, the motion on the World Championship kicks off on Boxing Day, permitting us the chance to look at one of the best younger hockey gamers on the earth battle for a spot in January fifth’s gold medal sport. The Individuals will likely be internet hosting the match in Minnesota and will likely be vying to string up three straight 1st place finishes with that benefit. Workforce Canada is coming off an embarrassing efficiency final yr in Ottawa and completed so low they really ought to have been slotted in Group A with the US & Sweden…however our southern neighbours opted to ship us to Group B in order that the powerhouse nations have been extra unfold out. Right here is how the nations are divided up this yr:
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December twenty sixth will see the groups most of us Winnipeg Jets’ followers will need to control enjoying, as younger defensive prospects Sascha Boumedienne & Alfons Freij will swimsuit up for Sweden within the match opener in opposition to Slovakia, the US will conflict with Germany within the early night, and Canada will sq. off with the Czech Republic within the evening sport.
If you wish to try the complete schedule, here’s a hyperlink to Hockey Canada’s web site:
Schedule and Scores – 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
Since I discussed our two prospects suiting up for the World Juniors, lets dig a bit deeper into the 2 Swedish defensemen.
Sascha Boumedienne, D, Sweden
Drafted twenty eighth general in 2025, the 6’2″ 190 lb defender is understood for his nice skating skills, permitting the Swede to impression play at each ends of the ice. The scouts say that Sascha is extraordinarily attentive, always scanning the ice to learn performs, and has the power to combat for the puck when the time comes. Usually he creates offense as a playmaker, however his booming shot on the powerplay can be an asset. A standard comparability from the consultants I’ve seen is to the Montreal Canadien’s Mike Matheson.
Taking part in in his second season within the NCAA with Boston College, Boumedienne has put up 2 objectives & 4 assists in 17 contests enjoying on the 2nd worst crew within the league. We must always most likely count on an even bigger offensive impression at this tourney although because of the youthful competitors, because the defenseman put up 13 assists in 7 video games for Sweden final yr.
Alfons Freij, D, Sweden
On the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Winnipeg didn’t have a 1st rounder so their first choice was Freij with the thirty seventh general decide. The 6’1″ 196 lb defenseman doesn’t have his fellow countryman’s impression on the sport offensively, as an alternative counting on sturdy defensive play and good passing choices to assist his membership’s objectives.
Extra within the mildew of Dylan Samberg or Dylan DeMelo, Alfons has performed all 25 video games for Timra IK of Sweden’s prime skilled league as a 19 yr outdated and when you think about that his crew solely has 5 gamers with a constructive plus-minus score, his -1 confirms that he’s accountable in his personal zone.
Out of the 2 Jets’ prospects, I’d suppose that Freij is the more than likely to make the transfer to affix the Manitoba Moose subsequent season….so it is going to be good to see what I can count on from the teen when that occurs.
Now that we’ve regarded on the younger males who’re already a part of the group, allow us to flip an eye fixed to the upcoming low season to see who is likely to be added to Winnipeg’s draft pool. Since our hockey membership has been performing so poorly this season and discover themselves projected to earn a really excessive draft decide within the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, we additionally is likely to be all in favour of watching the undrafted gamers concerned to see who the True Northers may get with their 1st spherical choice. To help on this glimpse into the Jets’ future, I’ve outlined the highest 15 gamers the scouts are predicting will likely be drafted first.
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As you may see, our hockey crew is presently slotted to have a prime 5 decide relying on how the lottery balls fall. The 2026 draft pool is taken into account very deep and that doesn’t simply prolong to the variety of gamers anticipated to make the NHL, but additionally has a bigger than regular variety of elite skaters on the prime. After all, we’ve all heard of the potential greatness of ahead Gavin McKenna, however many scouts are additionally singing the praises of the likes of cumbersome defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and Swedish ahead Ivar Stenberg as potential 1st general choices.
McKenna ate up the WHL final season with Medication Hat, placing up 129 pts in 56 contests for the Tigers. His transfer to the more durable NCAA hasn’t gone as nicely, although the child continues to be scoring at some extent per sport tempo for Penn State in opposition to the older competitors. Verhoeff is one other Canadian that made the journey south for this season, after amassing 45 pts in 63 video games for the Victoria Royals. The 6’4″ defender has accomplished nicely in North Dakota, scoring at a .688 pts/gm tempo for the Combating Hawks with a +6 score. Stenberg might be the closest to being NHL prepared at this level because of him being the oldest of the bunch and his efficiency in opposition to precise totally grown males within the SHL. Ivar will likely be nearly 19 yrs outdated when the Entry Draft occurs and his nearly some extent per sport scoring tempo this yr (.96) exhibits he has the power to compete at a excessive stage regardless of not being very huge.
Admittedly, this early within the season my data of the remainder of the draft pool is restricted as I didn’t count on my focus to show to the Winnipeg Jets’ future so shortly within the 2025-26 marketing campaign. But if you happen to have a look at the ultimate column, which outlines a gamers’ NHL Equal score, you may get a bit higher concept of the expertise accessible. That statistic tries to say what number of factors a participant would have within the NHL this yr based mostly on the extent of competitors & stats they’ve truly amassed of their respective leagues. With the True Northers issues scoring this yr, it could be good so as to add somebody who’s already projected to attain 25 to 40 pts within the huge leagues. And there are 11 choices in that vary in simply the highest 15 prospects…..presumably some excellent news for us Jets’ followers in June??
If you need to dive deeper into the pool, here’s a hyperlink to Tankathon’s present mock draft with the highest 3 rounds outlined. You’ll be able to click on on every gamers’ identify to get much more info on them and begin making your want checklist for Winnipeg’s upcoming draft. Something to distract us from the present state of the membership, proper?
2026 NHL Mock Draft with Lottery Simulator | Tankathon
Alright, suppose I’ve gone on lengthy sufficient and my grumbling abdomen suggests I’ve extra pressing issues to deal with. We are able to use this web page to remark in regards to the World Junior tourney because it progresses….be at liberty to share your favorite WJC reminiscences and whether or not Canada’s video games performed a component in your vacation festivities like my hockey loving household allowed. Ordering Chinese language meals on Christmas Eve & watching the upcoming younger hockey stars battle on ice have at all times been traditions I’ve appreciated.
And naturally, let me know if it excites you to suppose Winnipeg may be capable of decide up a sport changer within the upcoming draft? Have your eyes on somebody specifically? Ought to Kevin Cheveldayoff be certain that he drafts the a lot wanted future 2C the Jets have wanted for years or ought to they only take one of the best prospect accessible when their identify known as?
I hope everybody has a fantastic Christmas and Vacation season!! Take the time to understand your loved ones & pals whereas feasting on the good meals that accompany such gatherings.
