There's never a lack of star power at the World Juniors, and the 2023 tournament will be no different.
The 2023 World Juniors begin on Boxing Day in the Maritimes, as the best U20 players from around the world gather for 11 days of competition. From current NHL players to potential draft picks, the games will be littered with draft selections from the last two draft classes, as well as a handful of 2023 draft-eligible players looking to improve their stock ahead of next year's draft.
It's an opportunity for some lesser-known prospects to flourish and become household names in the hockey world. While it is just a handful of games, for these kids, it's likely the biggest stage they have played on in their young careers.
MORE: 2023 World Juniors schedule, standings, results
The Sporting News breaks down its top 10 NHL prospects at the 2023 World Juniors.
Top NHL prospects at 2023 World Juniors
Connor Bedard, F, Canada
Somehow, someway, Connor Bedard continues to get better and better. The 2023 draft sensation is red-hot leading into the winter tournament, as he's ripping up the WHL this year. He leads the league in goals (27), assists (37) and points with 64, which is 15 more than the next-highest point producer.
Bedard was a top-line winger for the majority of the 2022 games and should return to that role, despite being a natural center. He wowed at the 2022 games with eight points in seven games, including four goals. The sniper proved that not only could he keep up with the older competition, but excel against them. Pray for the defenses facing Bedard and his lethal shot.
Luke Hughes, D, USA
It'll be hard to find a more entertaining defenseman at the 2023 World Juniors than Luke Hughes. The Devils prospect can flat out fly up the ice, he's always a threat with the puck on his stick and he works the offensive blue line exceptionally well. The youngest brother of NHL stars Quinn and Jack Hughes is set to resume his role as the USA's No. 1 defenseman after he produced six points in five games in 2022.
In his sophomore year at the University of Michigan, Hughes has taken a much-predicted step back in his goal-scoring with just three tallies, but he has 18 points in 20 games for the Wolverines. On a United States back end filled with solid puck-movers and skaters, Hughes stands above the rest.
MORE: Every NHL draft pick at the 2023 World Juniors
Simon Nemec, D, Slovakia
Slovakia was battered in the summer with a number of their top talents forgoing the 2022 games in favor of preparing for NHL training camps. Simon Nemec was one of those omissions, but he'll don the Slovak sweater in the Maritimes. The mobile, two-way defenseman went No. 2 at the 2022 draft to the Devils.
The blue liner has spent the entire season in the AHL, skating in 24 contests and producing 12 points so far. Slovakia allowed the most goals per game this past summer, averaging over six goals given up per contest. Nemec should immediately improve that mark, as well as help contribute offensively.
Logan Cooley, F, USA
The United States doesn't have a ton of depth up front on offense, which means that the USA is going to rely heavily on their No. 1 center, Logan Cooley. The University of Minnesota standout went No. 3 this past draft to the Coyotes, and he's followed that up with 15 points in 19 games with the Golden Gophers in his freshman campaign.
Cooley centered the second line for the United States at the previous World Juniors, finishing the games with six points in five contests. He's an elite playmaker who can be relied on in the two-way game and in the faceoff dot. It's likely we see him reunited with his U.S. U18 linemates Cutter Gauthier and Jimmy Snuggerud to form the top line for the Americans.
David Jiricek, D, Czechia
No team is returning more players from the 2022 games than Czechia is at the 2023 World Juniors. Out of all of their returnees, David Jiricek is the biggest get for the country. The No. 6 pick from 2022 will resume his role as the top defenseman for the team after helping Czechia to a fourth-place finish in August.
The big-bodied Blue Jackets prospect is playing down in the AHL this season with the Cleveland Monsters, where he has 12 assists and 16 points in 17 contests. Czechia had the size advantage on the back end over a lot of teams in the summer, which helped slow down the speed of opposing offenses. Jiricek will once again lead that defensive charge.
Shane Wright, F, Canada
It's been a tumultuous year for Shane Wright. Thought of as the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft, he fell to the Kraken at No. 4. With Seattle, he has struggled to become a regular in their lineup and recently finished a conditioning stint in the AHL. A loan to Team Canada for the World Juniors might just be one of the best things for Wright.
While he recorded just two points in eight games with the Kraken, Wright has four goals in five games down in the AHL. He's still a superbly talented forward who wants the puck on his stick. Wright, who was named Canada's captain ahead of the tournament, passed on the opportunity to play in the summer but gets his first full crack at the World Juniors this winter.
MORE: Who will win the 2023 World Juniors?
Joakim Kemell, F, Finland
Finland had a dominant top line at the 2022 World Juniors, and while Aatu Räty and Roni Hirvonen have both aged out of the tournament, Joakim Kemell returns for the Finns. The 2022 first-round pick from the Predators only trailed Mason McTavish in points at the August tournament, as Kemell registered 12 en route to a silver medal.
Kemell is in his second full season with JYP of Finland's Liiga, where he has eight goals and 10 points in 24 games. The dynamic forward has a knack for finding the back of the net, and Finland will once again rely on him to push the pace on offense.
Adam Fantilli, F, Canada
There are a few 2023 draft-eligible prospects who will be in attendance at the 2023 World Juniors. While Bedard is rightfully the headliner, Adam Fantilli's performance will be one to watch. The University of Michigan freshman is expected to be a top-three selection at the 2023 draft and is getting his first crack at the World Juniors.
MORE: Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli top 2023 draft prospects at World Juniors
Fantilli's speed and smarts are what separate him from the competition. He's an excellent skater with a long stride that can work his way through traffic. His offensive ability has been on full display with the Wolverines, as Fantilli ranks second in points per game (1.63) and is tied for third in points (26) among all NCAA skaters. Fans should expect Fantilli to play a top-six role on Team Canada.
Olen Zellweger, D, Canada
There was some speculation if Canada had a true, No. 1 defenseman at the 2022 World Juniors. Olen Zellweger shut those doubters up fairly quickly. The Everett Silvertips defenseman was stellar on Canada's blue line in the summer, tying McTavish for the tournament lead in assists (11), finishing third at the tournament in points (11) and ending with the best plus-minus rating out of anyone (+14).
Zellweger is enjoying another strong season in the WHL, with 28 points in 23 games for Everett. The Ducks prospect will take over his role again as a responsible, minute-munching blue liner for Dennis Williams, Zellweger's current coach at Everett and new Team Canada U20 coach.
Jiri Kulich, F, Czechia
Jan Mysak was Czechia's best forward by far at the 2022 World Juniors, but the second was Jiri Kulich. The Sabres prospect finished only behind Mysak on the team in scoring with eight points and seven games. In 24 AHL games this season, the Czech winger has 16 points.
Kulich is like a waterbug out on the ice, using his speed and elusiveness to weave his way around defenders. He'll be one of the best skaters at the 2023 tournament and Czechia will once again rely on him to produce on the score sheet.
Honorable mentions: Cutter Gauthier (USA), Leo Carlsson (Sweden), Fabian Lysell (Sweden), Filip Mesar (Slovakia), Logan Stankoven (Canada)
