The 2024 U20 World Junior Champions have come and gone, and in the end Team USA, who was the favorite at the beginning of the tournament took home the gold with Sweden winning Silver and Czechia won Bronze. To everyone’s surprise Canada, who entered the tournament as two-time defending champions didn’t even qualify for the semifinals. With that said, lets take a look at the Risers and fallers after the World Junior Championship and how it could ultimately impact the way the draft plays out..
Risers
Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA)
Macklin Celebrini was already the consensus number-one pick headed into the World Juniors, but after the tournament, he more than solidified himself as one of the Top prospects in the 2024 Draft. Since coming back from a shoulder injury, Celebrini has posted 29 points in 17 games, putting him on a 1.70-point-per-game pace. Celebrini is always lethal every time he steps onto the ice. From his playmaking to his goal-scoring, he’s extremely deceptive and he lets his strengths do the work. He has great control of the puck, making soft touches to make moves at a quick pace along with his strong and lightning-quick accurate shot. Whether it’s down low on the goal-low line or in the high-danger area, his accuracy allows him to find the back of the net. He plays with a great amount of confidence and isn’t afraid of getting to the tough areas of the ice. He shows his strong IQ on both sides of the puck and his ability to be a workhorse to win puck battles maintain control and disrupt plays. Celebrini was easily Canada’s best player at the 2024 WJC, leading the team in scoring with 8 points.
Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Despite being for a long time, Cayden Lindstrom has been very impressive when he was in the lineup with 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games, with 18 coming at even strength. NHL teams absolutely love centers that have the combination of size, skill, and speed and Cayden Lindstrom checks off all those boxes as he continues to dominate the Western Hockey League. Lindstrom is such an intimidating force every shift and that skillset combined with his work ethic; He moves extremely well for his size and has a long and smooth stride. In addition to the combination of his intensity and size, it’s extremely difficult to defend against him. When he protects the puck, he does it so effortlessly that he can easily push defenders off with his strength. That allows him to immediately bully his way to the high-danger area to get a prime scoring chance off. His defensive game is very underrated as he shows great attention to detail to quickly hustle back and break up plays with his stick or with the body. He truly is a force to be reckoned with. If he continues to play like he has prior to injury, he has a chance to be a top 5 pick.
Konsta Helenius, RW, Jukurit (Liiga)
With 22 points in 30 games, Helenius continues to be a workhorse and very deceptive playmaker as that determination and energy seem to take over consistently. He has been able to maintain a strong scoring pace in Liiga despite being an underage player, which is a testament to his skill level. The tenacity he shows with relentless pursuit of the puck and combination with his patience to strike quickly makes him very dangerous when the play is down low. He’s 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, but he plays like he’s 6-foot-2, 200 pounds given the puck protection skills, and edgework to evade pressure and be elusive in the small areas on the ice. His consistency is impressive and he could move up as the season goes on. Even though he didn’t put up a ton of points in the World Juniors with Finland, he played a strong two-way game and showed the ability to contribute in all situations. Konsta Helenius is a safe bet to be a top-10 pick in the 2024 Draft.
Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver (NCAA)
Zeev Buium has definitely thrown his name into the race for the “best defenseman” label in this draft. His 27 points in 20 games with the University of Denver has him as the second-best scoring defenseman at the collegiate level. Then at the World Junior Championship, he was a pillar on defense for Team USA winning a gold medal, putting up 5 points in 7 games. Buium’s strength lies in his skating, being able to control the play and change the pace at any moment. He serves as a catalyst on both sides of the puck, being well-composed with his decisions, and making the right play at exactly the right time. He’s a great facilitator with the puck always making something out of nothing and connecting with his teammates with ease. His overall play in the first half is why he is moving up draft boards quickly and there isn’t any doubt that his stock will only improve. Right now, Buium has moved into the top 10, and if he continues to play well the rest of the season, he could find himself even higher on the draft board.
Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Berkly Catton has gotten off to a torrid start to the 2023-24 season, putting up 27 goals and 64 points in 39 games. Teams made a mistake letting a high-IQ player like Zach Benson drop at the 2023 NHL Draft. They should learn their lesson and not let the same happen to Berkly Catton. His 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame will come into question, but the way he processes the game is at a high level. Catton is always thinking ahead, be it at even strength or on the penalty kill as he has four short-handed goals. He’s putting himself in a position to be dangerous and succeed with his awareness and skill alone. He is quick with his hands and feet in small spaces on the ice and his energy and work ethic are always on display. He’s always a driving force on the attack, being in the middle of it all. Like we saw with Cole Caufield and Zach Benson, despite obviously having the talent to be selected higher in the draft, they were passed over because they were smaller in size, so I can expect the same with Catton, especially with some bigger players available this draft. Catton should be a top 10 pick, but I could see him falling out of the top 10 as well.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW, Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Seeing the play that Michael Brandsegg-Nygård brought every shift to the table for Norway at the World Junior Championship was notable. He already possesses a lot of pro qualities in his game, from his composure, work ethic, and finding the open ice, it’s already impressive. He’s extremely competitive hunting down loose pucks and playing the body to regain possession. He’s quick to attack and get that inside edge with his size and strength. He’s always finding the open lanes and is ready for a wrist shot or winding up for a one-timer, displaying his powerful and accurate shot. He’s shown to be a step above at his age level and transitioning to the pro level. After putting up 5 goals and 12 points in 7 games with Mora IK of the J20 Nationell, he was moved to play in the Pro league club in the HockeyAllsvenskan league, where he had 5 goals and 10 points in 26 games. With Norway at the U20 WJC, Brandseeg-Nygard had 3 goals and 5 points in 5 games. As of right now, Brandsegg-Nygård could be a top-10 pick, but he could also slide down the draft board because he might take longer to develop.
Fallers
Cole Eiserman, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)
There are going to be a lot of questions as to why such a player being compared to Auston Matthews with an elite-level shot who broke an NTDP record is outside the top-five. There isn’t any doubt that Cole Eisenman’s bread and butter is goal-scoring and he’s absolutely lethal in that regard. However, some things are glaring with his off-the-puck play. There have been moments where he’s not as engaging in battling or hunting for loose pucks. It seems that he wants the play to come to him instead of being in the middle of it all. The same thing goes for his defensive game as he doesn’t help out as much and is always trying to get the jump on the breakout. He’s always trying to be the finisher but doesn’t do enough to create opportunities for others. He isn’t the best skater as he’s not as explosive as other top-scoring threats. Improving in these aspects could make him more dangerous. His stats are very good, he has 32 goals and 53 points in 30 games with the U18 National Team in the NTDP along with 14 goals and 19 points in 12 games in the USHL for the USNTDP Juniors. Cole Eisenman’s stats are outstanding but if a team is not looking for a goal-scoring winger, there are better options available than him, which is why I can see him slip in the draft.
Artyom Levshunov, RD, Michigan State (NCAA)
Heading into the season, there was a lot to like in Levhsunov’s game. Artyom Levshunov has 6 goals and 24 points in 22 games with Michigan University and has been somewhat a disappointment, considering the hype surrounding him before the season. He’s producing at just under a point-per-game pace with Michigan State, he’s an offensive force joining the rush, activating in the offensive zone, and can be a big physical presence. However, he tends to take too many risks with his reads, his positioning can be off and ultimately cost him on the defensive side of the puck. If he could improve his awareness and decision-making, then he could improve his stock. Levshunov fits the bill of a high-risk high reward pick, he could potentially have the highest offensive upside of any defenseman, but it could take time to get there, which is why he will not be a top 5 pick anymore.
Adam Jiricek, RD, HC Plzen U20 (Czechia)
Adam Jiricek was labeled as one of the top draft-eligible defenders heading into the World Junior Championship. However, he sustained a leg injury shutting him down for the tournament, much like his brother David. His season is over which is awful news and may affect his draft stock. However, Adam is an offensive dynamo on the backend. His strength lies in his skating in transition, displaying strong puck control and being deceptive with his movements. He plays at a high tempo in the offensive zone, which can lead him to have trouble with his control, but there always seems to be a big reward when he recovers. He’s just as aggressive defensively, cutting down lanes and using his size to create separation. His season-ending injury has a major effect on his draft stock and this could cause him to fall out of the top 15 entirely as players rise on the draft board.
Tanner Howe, LW/C, Regina Pats (WHL)
Even without Connor Bedard, Tanner Howe is still leading the charge offensively for the Pats with 51 points and following in his footsteps on and off the ice. Howe even describes himself as a power forward, citing the styles of Matthew Tkachuk and Patrice Bergeron. It’s evident when you watch him play as he has the drive, work ethic, and smarts in any situation. He can outperform in the corners and along the boards and his skillset and hands allow him to excel in small areas, but isn’t afraid to battle along the boards. He can score, make plays, and break them up. He can do it all. Despite this, Tanner Howe has been slipping in Draft boards because of he is smaller in size and because he plays for one of the worst teams in the WHL this season. Perhaps if Howe gets moved to a contending team, where more focus is on him, his draft stock would rise drastically. For now, he has the potential to be a top 15 pick or even get picked higher, but due to his size, he is likely to go after the top 15.
Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ryder Ritchie was injured to start the season, but since returning from injury, he scored 13 goals and 31 points in 34 games with the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL. Ritchie continues to be an energetic and dynamic playmaker in his draft year. What makes him successful is that uses his skating and puck control to his advantage. He’s always finding the open ice, being deceptive with his movements in the process. He can change the angle of his body and the positioning of his feet efficiently when he has control. He can change the pace of play very effectively slowing it down and then turning on the jets to get to an open area and attack. Ritchie is considered a top 15 pick by many scouts, but some have him outside of the top 20 even, so he is one player to watch in the second half.
Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
There was a time when Aron Kiviharju was considered a top 5 pick in the 2024 draft, but due to a combination of injuries and his growth being slower than others, many defensemen have past him and he has fallen entirely out of the top 20. Just when he was getting off to a good start with HIFK, Aron Kviviharju suffered an injury that forced him to miss four months. Although that put a damper on things, he’s still regarded as one of the top defenders in this draft. The poise, confidence and awareness he possesses at a young age is impressive. He’s been drawing attention for years and it’s clear to see why. He’s already been playing at the highest level in Finland. The skill and being a deceiving playmaker is evident, but the production has been inconsistent. If given an opportunity, he can definitely rise to the occasion. Aron Kiviharju could end up being a winner in the draft because he will go to a team that will let him develop properly and use him effectively when he is ready to be an impactful player.
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