The World Juniors are a time for fans to watch the future stars of the NHL battle it out while representing their home countries. While the 2022 tournament is happening at a much different time than normal, that still doesn't change the purpose behind the tournament.
While some players are simply using this as an opportunity to progress along in their development and impress the NHL club that drafted them, there are a handful of players who have their eyes on next year's draft. These players are 2023 NHL draft eligible and will be partaking in the tournament.
The 17-year-olds are usually the youngest participants in the tournament, but it's hard to notice at times. We saw Canada's Connor Bedard light up the shortened 2022 games in December at just 16 years old, and he's in Edmonton to try and do it again.
MORE: Top 10 NHL prospects participating at the 2022 World Juniors
Here are the top 2023 draft-eligible players participating at the 2022 World Juniors.
Top 2023 NHL draft-eligible players at the 2022 World Juniors
Connor Bedard, F, Canada
Bedard has long been considered the top candidate to be drafted No. 1 in 2023 and rightfully so. Bedard recorded a 100-point season with the Regina Pats in the WHL this season and had seven points in four games at the U18 Worlds in April.
People were a bit skeptical as to how Bedard would perform during the initial 2022 World Juniors in December when he was just 16. He delivered with five points in two days, including a four-goal performance against Austria. With some of the star power gone from Canada's roster, the highly-skilled forward should see an uptick in minutes this go-around with Canada's World Juniors squad.
Expect big things from Bedard.
MORE: Watch the 2022 World Juniors live with fuboTV (free trial, U.S. only)
Dalibor Dvorsky, F, Slovakia
If you don't recognize the name Dalibor Dvorsky yet, be on the lookout for him at the World Juniors with Slovakia. Dvorsky helped Slovakia to the gold medal at the 2022 U18 Division IA Worlds tournament, recording 11 points in five games. He's been playing over in Sweden for a few seasons now, most recently lighting up the J20 Nationell with AIK J20, recording 40 points in 33 games. He also made his pro debut in Sweden's second-tier professional league, HockeyAllsvenskan, at just 16 years old.
The scoring center is considered to be a potential top-five candidate for next year's draft and he should be one of the centerpieces for a Slovak forward group that is without top players like Juraj Slakfovsky, Martin Chromiak and Filip Mesar.
MORE: Schedule, scores, results for all 2022 World Juniors games
Charlie Stramel, F, USA
If you've watched any of the U.S. NTDP games this season, it's hard not to notice Stramel. Listed at 6-3, 215 lbs, he plays a power forward role, never shying away from the physical aspect of the game. He suited up in 26 games for the national program, recording 22 points, and is set to play at the University of Wisconsin this fall.
Stramel was one of the youngest kids on the U.S. NTDP U18 roster, making him one of the lone players not eligible for the 2022 draft. But he'll certainly be taken next year, as the big forward is slated to be a top-10 candidate in the draft. It's likely he'll play a smaller role on Team USA in Edmonton due to the depth of the team, but Stramel could make the most of his chances.
Maxim Strbak, D, Slovakia
Strbak was one of the youngest players on the World Juniors team in December for Slovakia and joins the squad again this summer. The Slovak defenseman has been playing over in Finland with Jokerit's program, getting his first taste at the U20 level during the 2021-22 campaign. He recorded eight points in 39 games with Jokerit's U20 team, as well as skating with Slovakia at the U18 tournament where he has three points in five games.
The defenseman has committed to the University of Vermont but is not expected to make his way over to North America until the fall of 2023 at the earliest. Strbak should see a good amount of time on ice with a weaker Slovak blue line.
Samuel Honzek, F, Slovakia
Honzek was not a member of the initial December roster for Slovakia but was selected with a number of forwards electing not to play in the summer version of the tournament.
The forward started the year with HK Dukla Trencin's U20 team but jumped up to their professional club after just five games. He recorded 10 goals and 14 points in 49 games with HK Dukla Trencin in the Slovak Extraliga. Honzek was taken No. 10 by the WHL's Vancouver Giants in the 2022 CHL Import Draft and is set to make the trek over to North America for this upcoming season.
Martin Misiak, F, Slovakia
Like Honzek, Misiak was not an original member of the 2022 World Juniors roster but joins as one of the younger members for the August version of the tournament.
Misiak played his first full season in the Slovak Extraliga, the top professional level in Slovakia. He registered 10 points in 46 games with HC Nove Zamky as a 17-year-old and will again be a part of the club in the fall. Misiak added a goal and four assists during the country's gold medal win at the U18 tournament.
MORE: Full rosters for all 10 teams at 2022 World Juniors
David Reinbacher, D, Austria
Reinbacher has spent the last six seasons over in Switzerland. He split time this season between Kloten U20 of Switzerland's junior league and EHC Kloten of the Swiss League (SL), the country's second-tier of professional hockey. At the U20 level, he recorded 22 points in 23 games, while he had 11 points in 27 games in the SL.
The Austrian blue liner is expected to not only be the leading force on the back end for the country but should be one of the top performers in Edmonton.
Ian Scherzer, F, Austria
Scherzer is coming off his first season playing in Sweden, where he spent time with Rögle BK's U18 and U20 teams. He recorded 15 points at the U18 level but went pointless in eight games with the U20 team.
Without Marco Kasper, Austria is going to need the likes of Scherzer to step up if the team wants to be competitive.
Rainers Rullers, F, Latvia
Rullers is regarded as the top player for Latvia among the 2023 draft class. He started the season at the second professional level in Latvia before making the jump up to the top tier. In 28 games with HS Riga, he had 17 points.
It's unclear where he will be skating in the fall, as a move to a better European league is probably in the cards for Rullers' development. For now, with Latvia getting its first crack at playing at the top level of the World Juniors since 2017, the country will rely heavily on the 17-year-old.
MORE: Why is Russia not participating at the 2022 World Juniors?
Peteris Bulans, D, Latvia
While Latvia will lean on Rullers up front, on the back end it will be Bulans. Like Rullers, the defenseman started with Latvia's second-tier of professional hockey before moving up to the top league. He also skated with HS Riga, recording nine points in 22 games with the club.
Similar to his countryman, Bulans' plans for the 2022-23 season have not been determined, but I would expect him to try to play elsewhere.
2022 World Juniors odds
According to Sports Interaction, the 2022 tournament is a four-horse race.
Canada, Finland, the United States and Sweden are the clear frontrunners to win this year's tournament, with the Canadians holding the best odds at +116. All four countries are +400 or higher, while the other six teams are +1386 or lower.
Here are the odds as of now for the 2022 tournament.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Canada | +105 |
| Finland | +325 |
| USA | +333 |
| Sweden | +408 |
| Czechia | +1555 |
| Slovakia | +3057 |
| Germany | +7840 |
| Switzerland | +7840 |
| Austria | +50000 |
| Latvia | +50000 |
