While the festive season begins, for some of the top young talent in the world the games continue as the IIHF World Junior Championship begin in a few days' time. Ten countries will compete between 26 December and 5 January 2024 to be crowned world junior champions!
Though Champions Hockey League action doesn’t return until early January, CHL fans should be interested in this tournament as some of Europe’s top rising talents, including many players that we've seen play in the CHL this season, will be heading to Sweden for the event. Here's a breakdown of players from the CHL to keep an eye on.
Finland
The Finns suffered a Quarter-Finals exit at last year's World Juniors but are primed for a run at gold this year. Representing the country are some familiar names from this year's CHL, including a couple of players from reigning Champions Tappara Tampere in Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Oiva Keskinen who, through five contests, registered one goal and one assist and defenceman Kasper Kulonummi.
From Ilves Tampere, 19-year-old Jani Nyman, who played in four games where he secured one goal and two assists will be joined by Samu Bau, while the Lahti Pelicans will be represented by Jesse Kiiskinen who managed one goal in six games this season.
Germany
Team Germany's roster will also sport some CHL youth with Adler Mannheim and Red Bull Munich both having players nominated for this year's iteration.
From Mannheim, 189cm, 83kg defenceman Paul Mayer mustered two assists in three games for the club that topped the Regular Season standings. His national teammate will be Veit Oswald from Munich. Oswald suited up for seven CHL contests where he amassed two assists.
Sweden
The Swedes will have their pick of several youngsters looking to prove themselves against other top talent from around the world with skaters representing all three participants in this year's CHL - Skellefteå AIK, Färjestad Karlstad, and the Växjö Lakers.
Semi-Finalists Skellefteå will see three of their young corps represent the host country. Defencemen Elias Salomonsson and Axel Sandin-Pellika who skated in eight and nine CHL games, respectively, will be joined by teammate Zeb Forsfjäll who's laced up for all ten games so far this season. Among them, Sandin-Pellika has been the most productive with three goals and two assists.
Rounding out the roster selections are Liam Öhgren from Färjestad and Noah Östlund from Växjö. Östlund has been dynamite for his club with seven points (4G+3A) through seven CHL games.
Switzerland
Team Switzerland’s line-up consists of several players developing across Europe as well as in North America. Of the three participating clubs in this year's CHL, only one - Rapperswil-Jona Lakers - will be sending a player to Sweden.
Jonas Taibel skated in two contests for the Swiss side but was unable to pick up a point before Rapperswil were eliminated in the Quarter-Finals by Vítkovice Ridera. The 19-year-old is currently sidelined with an injury, but is expected back by the end of December.
The 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship will be played between 26 December and 5 January 2024. The CHL will return in 2024 for the CHL Semi-Finals in January and ultimate one-game Final in February!