2026 IIHF Under-18 World Championship Preview
The 2026 World Under-18 Hockey Championships are here, and hopefully you’re all strapped in for a fun, rough ride. This season’s instalment is pretty clearly characterized by a fairly level playing field, featuring a strong group of European contenders with some individual high-end contributors, a capable Canadian roster, and an underrated US national program with firepower and youth to spare. A few teams are likely to rely on some talented goaltending, and picking a clear winner, let alone the medal rounds is difficult going into the tournament.
The Under-18 World Championship is a great tool for evaluators to get one last look at certain players coming from unique circumstances are either stepping up into playing the best kids in the world on the international stage, or stepping down after seasons some might call a struggle to play junior competition and really stretch their skills to their maximum. Scouts everywhere will be firmly trained on both cases, and there are plenty of names who still have runway to make a significant impact at a key time in the season. A balanced, relatively deep class of draft eligibles headline the cast of chararcters, but a great selection of players eligible for 2027 and beyond look to make a name for themselves. Four players under 16 years of age are making their debuts, including 2029 NHL Draft-eligible Slovak Max Melicherik, a feat that just 50 players have accomplished since the turn of the century. It’s a strange year without the Swiss, but there is also evidence of strong growth of the game globally, with a strong generation of Norwegians, Slovaks, and Latvians on display, and the Czechs bringing a player who may be among the earliest names called in the 2027 NHL Draft.
I expect a tight, tough tournament where almost any team could find themselves winning medals through great individual performances, be it in net or with a great offensive performance from a key contributor punching well below their weight class. Get excited, it’ll be a good one, and the takes on the on the other end are likely to be scorching hot. Enjoy the ride.
Denmark - NHLeS Average Unavailable - Ranked 10th
Player to Watch: Emil Saaby Jakobsen - D - Karlskrona HK U18
It is really difficult to see how Denmark finds their way out of the relegation round this year, featuring a team filled with Danish junior, Danish second division, and lower-division U18 Swedish hockey. The 2025 Division 1A tournament was a two-horse race between this group and a surprising Ukranian team, and the Danes are bringing just four players from their championship team does not bode well, including many of their top scorers. That said, two key names appear as major pieces that could work some magic to keep Denmark in the top division for 2027. Anton Emil Wilde Larsen is back to likely start every game here after a capable tournament last year earning promotion. He is unfortunately known for being the goaltender who Gavin McKenna absolutely lit on fire at the World Juniors back in January, and his workload here will be no easier.
Another World Junior alumnus and my player to watch, Emil Saaby Jakobsen looks to be locked in as a major contributor and role player on both sides of the puck, with a mobile, skilled game with great finishing ability and puck controlling confidence. The group around those two will be in tough against the US, Czechs and Swedes, and their tournament is likely to come down to their result against the Germans, but even that one might be a tough one to pull off. Nothing is impossible, but this is a team I’m expecting to at least make for a competitive relegation round with whoever may join them.
Latvia - 4.93 NHLeS Average - Ranked 9th
Player to Watch: Patriks Plumins - G - Zemgale
Latvia always brings an intriguing roster to this tournament, and unfortunately for all of us, Muskegon centre Rudolfs Berzkalns is unavailable due to the USHL playoffs where he’s been a huge presence up the middle all season long. While he’ll be missed by this team, there’s still an interesting group here that might be able to work themselves into a quarterfinal spot ahead of the Norwegians if things break right. I’m a big fan of what I’ve seen of goaltender Patriks Plumins, with strong international performances this season, and good results in the Latvian top division, albeint in light workloads. All three of Latvia’s goaltenders appear capable, which might be able to keep them afloat, but it might be tough. Big Olivers Murnieks can be a strong presence up the middle, absorbing pressure and making plays effectively, and Martins Klaucans is back after snagging a pair of goals last year at this tournament. As is tradition, the Latvians are bringing a gaggle of 16 year olds, led by Ricards Lisovskis, a defenseman who seemed like an intriguing puck mover in my limited viewing, albeit in the Finnish U18 league.
The issue for Latvia against a team like Norway will be countering the firepower that team has up front, and while we all know anything is possible, it may be a longshot for this group to get themselves into the playoffs. The goaltending will be the prime hinge point, and that’s where my attention will be focused as Plumins has been on my radar all year. Anything else is a bonus. Can they stay up against Denmark? I think it’s very possible, but it could be competitive.
Germany - 6.84 NHLeS Average - Ranked 8th
Player to Watch - Tobias Krestan - F - HV71 J20
The Germans have been floating around this tournament depending on the year, some years getting into the playoffs, and others where they’re being relegated. To be honest, I have no idea what this season has in store, but I think they’ve got a leg up on the Danes thanks to their core group of key contributors with experience in high end leagues, including big heavy defenseman out of Wenatchee Darian Rolsing, big winger Tobias Krestan out of HV71’s junior program, and 16 year old DEL contributor Max Calce. There are 7 players on this team eligible for the 2027 tournament, and in my model, all but one are in the top half of expected contributors. The goaltending is a key area where their tournament may hinge with limited exposure to high end opposition, with German junior Niclas Wolter likely taking the majority of ice time, and two Red Bull Salzburg program goaltenders backing him up, albeit with great results in their leagues. Krestan has a nice combination of size, skill, and finishing release that could buoy his team in a similar fashion to previous leader David Lewandowski.
Beyond that, it’s all a big question mark. There have been some waves made about giant defenseman Tobias Krämer, and I would’ve been thrilled to see my Hlinka standout Moussa Hackert here, but getting eyes on Krämer will be very intriguing based on the limited viewing I’ve had of him at the German junior level.
Norway - 7.21 Average NHLeS - Ranked 7th
Player to Watch - Niklas Aaram-Olsen - W - Örebro HK U20
Norway is in the middle of a strong era of talented players, with names like Mikkel Eriksen and Tinus Luc Koblar coming and going over the last few years, and this year, Niklas Aaram-Olsen, Casper Kjølmoen, and all three goaltenders may have bright futures ahead of them. Aaram-Olsen has been a mainstay on the Norwegian program, back for his third instalment of this tournament, and is fresh off a dominant World Junior performance, earning Norway a slot in the 2027 tournament in December. He’s slick, speedy, and creative, and almost assuredly a part of the men’s national team at the World Championship. A gifted offensive player who could easily take his team into the playoffs on his own, scouts will be rightfully focused on him, as he’s shifted all over my board this season from the middle of the first round through into my deep second round. Kjølmoen is all speed and pure energy, which should shine at this level in what is likely to be high usage. A number of other Swedish junior league players should help keep this group afloat, and the real keen-eyed should look for Philip Tollefsen, son of former NHL heavy-hitter Ole-Kristian. He’s a very skilled 15 year old offensive defenseman, potentially playing U20 hockey in Sweden as soon as next season, and has been impressive every time I’ve caught him this year.
The Norwegians are likely to be exciting, with young players hopefully showcasing a performance that may catch some by surprise. Their success might hinge on a few key names, but the supporting cast is not to be scoffed at either.
Slovakia - 6.76 Average NHLeS - Ranked 6th
Player to Watch - Adam Goljer - RHD - HK Dukla Trencin
The Slovaks are always a great group to watch at this tournament. Their batch of 16 year olds look to be some major contributors this year, as Timothy Kazda and Oliver Ozogany had strong USHL campaigns, and Tomas Selic entering the tournament off a great season at the Czech junior level with Brno. The skill in the lineup is strong, but there’s also a good amount of size and energy up and down the lineup. Their U18 team gets plenty of reps against relatively tough competition in the 2nd Slovak professional league, and in turn, goaltender Samuel Hrenak is likely coming in battle-hardened, with a remarkable average workload of 50 shots a game this season. Sure, he allowed 5.5 goals per game, but you would be thankful for those results if you had grown men pelting you with hockey pucks that often. Adam Goljer has had my eye going back to last season, and I expect a very strong performance leading this group. He’s big, but has great skating range, strong defensive instincts, and moments of shot-led offense that should raise the floor of this team significantly. He’s another player who has fluctuated around my board this year, but has held strong as a late first round pick, and a good performance in what is likely to be very heavy usage will only reinforce that going into the NHL Draft. Samuel Karsay and Lucian Bernat have also been impressive pieces of this national program in my international viewings previously, with Karsay bringing great energy and net-driven offense, and Bernat carrying a physical, heavy offensive brand that should be able to power through quite a bit of the competition here and make a case for an NHL Draft, selection in June. While I don’t expect a medal from this group they’ve been on a remarkable streak of bronze medal game appearances since being promoted to the top division in 2022. Is that a repeatable achievement? With strong goaltending and outstanding performances from their youngsters, perhaps, but the real story could be the potential returnees making the case for a medal in the 2027 tournament if all goes well.
Czechia - 9.6 NHLeS Average - Ranked 5th
Player to Watch - Petr Tomek - C - HC Energie Karlovy Vary
The Czechs look to be bringing a relatively strong team that could compete for a medal here. They’re built well from the net out, featuring two strong CHL goaltenders in Marek Sklenicka and Jan Larys. Sklenicka has stuck out to me on multiple occasions for is technical skill and raw size, facing heavy workloads with admirable results. The defenders in front of him are solid, with Tri-City’s physical and defensive Jakub Vanecek likely leading the way. He’s got a strong shot from the point and should be a power play weapon as well as a strong defensive presence. Vaclav Nedorost has been exceptionally productive on the Czech junior circuit as a dynamic, undersized presence, and Ondrej Ruml is fresh off a strong, skilled season with the Ottawa 67s. The scoring depth may be somewhat of an issue, but pockets of the team are names I’ve had an eye on all season. David Huk has caught my attention in the Swedish junior circuit with his skilled, dual-threat game that he can pull off at great pace for a player his size, and Jan Trefný was one of my strongest performers in my notes from the Hlinka Gretzky tournament back in August, even if his season with Moose Jaw was not particularly productive. Simon Katolicky is big, strong and shows some great flashes of skill when he isn’t smashing his opponents, and he likely will play a key role, likely making an impact in front of NHL scouts. Leading the way however is likely to be 2027-eligible sniper Petr Tomek. Tomek is speedy, highly skilled, plays at a breakneck pace of play, weaving and shaking off pressure and attacking the net with ease. He was my key standout from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and I expect that trend to continue here. Tomek would likely be in my first round for this year’s draft if he were eligible and I’d expect next year to be the same story. If the Czechs are going to make a serious impact here, they’ll need to score, and the only Czech top division player on the roster will likely need to be a major source of that offense. If all else fails, they might be able to squeak out a few key wins thanks to their defensive options and goaltending skill.
Finland - 9.99 Average NHLeS - Ranked 4th
Player to Watch - Oliver Suvanto - C - Tappara Tampere
As is tradition, the Finnish crop this year is not to be underestimated. If anything, this may be one of the strongest teams they’ve brought in a very long time, and might be able to work their way into their first gold medal since 2018. At the very least, their first medal round appearance since 2022 should be more than doable. Finland is bringing a number of very strong 2026 NHL Draft prospects including two potential first round picks in Oliver Suvanto and Juho Piiparinen. Both of these players were at the World Juniors and did not look out of place, showing trademark Finnish stability, teamwork and physicality that projects to any level of hockey flawlessly. Suvanto especially could have a field day, with his skill and pass vision being underrated when you see how big and strong he is. He’s a player that NHL scouts are likely to be clamouring over each other to see more of, and I don’t think they’ll be disappointed considering his play in Liiga this year on a top program. Another Tappara teammate is also likely to make a heavy physical impact in Vilho Vanhatalo who is almost certainly going to be a key forechecker and penalty killer with a ruthless physical approach to the game. The Finns are also bringing their fair share of skill as well, as Atte Vuori, Max Laatikainen, and the Uronen twins are likely to do their part and help move the puck into good space and create key offense. Samu Alalauri is a player I’ll have a keen eye on as well. There have been moments where I’ve felt he isn’t far behind the crop of strong defensive players available in this class with his skating range, stick checking ability and bits of offensive jump that can catch opponents off guard.
The Finns have a potential advantage over many teams with the highly athletic Pyry Lammi in net to go along with the rest of their roster. Lammi has been impressive in many viewings in my time watching the Finnish junior league this year. His international performances have not been as successful, but there’s no time like the present to find your footing, and he certainly has the daring athleticism to make it work here. This group of Finns is a return to form on many fronts, with a balanced team filled with size, physicality, small area passing ability, and skill that should be able to pressure any other team in this tournament. A medal is within reach, moreso than recent years, and it would be a real treat to see this group get there.
USA - 16.34 Average NHLeS - Ranked 3rd
Player to Watch - Wyatt Cullen - W - U.S. National U18 Team
The 2026 incarnation of the US National program is a strange one. I don’t believe this team will have any trouble scoring, and they have enough goaltending talent in Brady Knowling to do a good job keeping the puck out of the net, but the group of defensemen is a big question mark that could be exploited by the best in this tournament. The addition of Levi Harper from Saginaw is absolutely a massive boost, as he may be a skilled offensive defenseman that shows up at the top of my 2027 draft board in a year. His Hlinka Gretzky performance was second to none, playing a huge part in the team’s historic championship, and I’d expect him to be a premiere play driving defenseman that can quarterback their powerplay. Luke Schairer and Logan Lutner are explosive, confident defenders as well that may round things out capably, but relative to the best of the best in Slovakia, this might be the soft point for the Americans.
That said, the offensive firepower is impossible to ignore. Their crop of 2027-eligibles can be lethal, with Jamie Glance’s insane playmaking vision and practical skill level, Carter Meyer’s passing skill and off-puck ability, Sammy Nelson’s powerful skilled game ,and the dynamic and zippy Brayden Willis looking to make a name for themselves. The 17 year olds are no joke either, with personal favourites Victor Plante and Casey Mutryn leading the way with their physical, intense and skilled style of play that should be able to coast this team deep into the playoff rounds. Mikey Berchild, Lucas Zajic, and Dayne Beuker only bring more offensive punch, but the addition of the gargantuan Brooks Rogowski adds a whole new dimension of physical play and surprisingly slick playmaking ability. My eyes are on Wyatt Cullen, though. A player who has gotten staggeringly good relative to where he was 18 months ago, Cullen has skill for days with skating edges to evade pressure, work the puck around the offensive zone and create passing seams that put him right up with the best playmakers available in the NHL draft. Lightning quick hands and a lightning quick release give him all the tools to be a premier player here, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see NHL scouts blasting him up their lists before June. They’ll be a tough offensive team to contain, and it might not be pretty getting there, but this is a team that has the ability to win the whole thing.
Sweden - 18.99 Average NHLeS - Ranked 1st
Player to Watch - Wiggo Sörensson - C - Boro/Vetlanda HC | Växjö Lakers HC U18
If there’s a team that could handle the Canadian depth and pure talent, it’s Sweden. From top to bottom, this team has so much going for it. The Viggo Bjorck saga is yet to be solved at time of writing, but a lack of Bjork will be greatly missed and might withold this team from being clear favourites, which makes the decision even stranger. Regardless, the Swedes are a strong, deep group filled with skill, energy and fun factor. Potential top NHL Draft picks are all over the team, with defenseman Malte Gustafsson likely eating a tremendous amount of minutes for thie group, but Alexander Command, Axel Elofsson, and Elton Hermansson all bring their fair share of firepower that may catapult them up NHL Draft boards. A few personal favourites of mine are here as well, and could surprise many who are unfamiliar. Adam Andersson is a big, strong and skilled centre that should physically dominate much of the competition, Max Isaksson, Nils Bartholdsson and Adam Nomme bring plenty of creativity and raw speed that also augments the team around it’s best names. While none of their skaters are eligible to return, their 2027 Draft-eligibles might be great additions. I’ve loved every game I’ve seen of Bosse Meijer with his excellent two-way impact, Vilgot Liden’s skill and skating combination should easily make him one to watch, and Olle Karlsson’s high octane offensive game earned him an impressive call-up to Vaxjo’s SHL team this year.
There’s a little bit of everything on this team from top to bottom, with size, stability and finesse on the defensive side of the ice, with flash, skill and intensity up front. The name I’m most fascinated to see is Wiggo Sorensson, hailing from Vetlanda, Sorensson played much of the season playing for his hometown club at the Swedish men’s 4th division where he was a premier offensive contributor. That level of play is far from competitive, but his appearances on the wing for Vaxjo’s U18 and U20 teams, as well as his appearances internationally for this team have provided great insight into what I believe could be a huge steal in this year’s NHL draft if things break right. He’s explosive, skilled and a slick passer with tons of offensive tools, oozing confidence and at times playing with names that might hear their name called early in the upcoming draft. I am already a huge fan, and I bet he’ll have a few more after this tournament. Sorensson certainly adds to the pile of names that push this team in the right direction, and if their netminders can hold the line, this is a team that will make any victory difficult to earn.
Canada - 20.93 NHLeS Average - Ranked 2nd
Player to Watch - Tynan Lawrence - C - Boston Univ. Terriers
As always, it’s important to realize that Canada functionally cannot bring all of their best players to this tournament every year due to the CHL playoffs. It’s annoying, but it does give you a great look at some key names that you otherwise might not see at this level, and a preview of what’s to come with the youngsters they choose to bring. This year, of course eyes will be on names like Joseph, Eshkawkogan, and (at least for me) Zhilkin, but this is a strong Canadian roster regardless of who is unable to join them this year. Carson Carels is off the roster unfortunately, but Ryan Lin, Ben MacBeath, Keaton Verhoeff, and any one of their other defenders should hold up more than capably at both ends of the ice here. They should have no issue insulating their capable pair of goaltenders in Gavin Betts and Carter Esler. Betts was a standout at the Hlinka Gretzky, and if Canada can get saves when needed, they could easily find their way into a gold medal game. The storyline I’ll be keeping an eye on is the performance of the names jumping in from the NCAA. I’ve been thoroughly impressed with all three of the players on the roster at their respective schools this year. Adam Valentini has found a pesky, physical streak to go with his quick hands and lightning quick shot release. I’d like to see some more offensive zone punch to his game, but his off puck play has been excellent, and I would think he should have no issues finding his offensive touch here. Keaton Verhoeff was thrown onto one of the best NCAA programs in the country and played key minutes for North Dakota on their way to a Frozen Four appearance, and I think the lessons he’s learned will only help him look even more dominant than he did at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August. He’s skilled, calm (almost to a fault) and has excellent dual-threat offensive zone presence that I can only imagine will shred much of the opposition here. Tynan Lawrence is an absolute dog, and every scout in the universe will be hyperanalyzing every shift to see if there really has been a negative step in his game since going to Boston University. I am personally very confident in my belief that Lawrence will shine here. He’s an aggressive, intense two-way centre who has been an elite transition driver in my data tracking, with a growing playmaking sense and significantly less waste on the puck in the offensive zone than I remember with Muskegon. He’s grown up quite a bit, and as a 17 year old centre on an underperforming NCAA program, I don’t know what more I could’ve asked for in my viewings, especially later in the season.
Of all the names mentioned, I don’t think any others could turn as many heads as Mathis Preston could. An infectious personality for interview fodder, Preston clearly loves to score, loves to be the star of the show, and has more raw talent than almost anyone in the tournament. Unbelievable levels of skill, pace, and creativity, Preston is a player with a ceiling as high as any, and if he has his mind set on success, he’ll get it. He’s competitive, an underrated defensive player when he’s engaged, and a ruthless offensive zone presence. Many have dropped him to the second round, but if he plays anything remotely close to his capabilities here, I think things might change in the other direction relatively quickly. His CHL/NTDP series and Hlinka Gretzky Cup performances were second to none, and I can only assume this will be more of the same.
This Canadian roster is very good from top to bottom and a medal should be in reach. Even down the lineup, JC Lemieux, Beckett Hamilton, Alexis Joseph, Ryder Cali and Lucas Ambrosio should have no problem eating minutes with pace, energy and physicality, and this group should be a great one to watch. They’re my favourites to take home the gold, but the road will not be easy getting there, and they’ll need great performances from their best to push back against the best of the rest.
Will’s All-Star Team Predictions
Forwards - Elton Hermansson (SWE) - Tynan Lawrence (CAN) - Mathis Preston (CAN)
Defense - Levi Harper (USA) - Keaton Verhoeff (CAN)
Goaltender - Pyry Lammi (FIN)
