The 2024 World Junior Championship is nearly underway! Starting with four great games tonight, Last Word on Hockey is here to give you predictions for each game of the tournament! Beginning with the two games that will kick off the tournament in Gothenburg. The first match of the World Juniors sees last year’s finalists, Czechia, face off against their neighbours Slovakia. Then, last year’s winners, team Canada, kick off their tournament against Finland.
2024 World Juniors Predictions
2024 World Juniors Predictions: Czechia vs Slovakia
The 2024 World Junior Champions begins with a bang when Czechia takes on Slovakia. A match steeped in history, and nearly always delivers in intensity and excitement. In terms of rivalries in international hockey, not many are as fierce as this one. For both the two countries that once formed Czechoslovakia, this is the game you want to win. With it being the opening match of the tournament even more so. Therefore it should be filled with physicality, speed and tenacity that historically is a lot more even than the head-to-head suggests. Given the rise of Slovakian hockey in recent years and the strength of their team on paper, this has all the making to be a very close game.
Team Czechia
Last year they were about as close to winning it all as one can be. With just 13 seconds left in a tie gold medal game, Thomas Milic made a great save to keep Martin Rysavy from scoring the game-winner, and in overtime, Canada took the Gold medal. The team is very different with only 6 returnees but they got a bunch of key players back. Eduard Sale and Jiri Kulich are back and will be crucial offensively. Defensively Tomas Hamara and Marek Alscher will be joined by David Jiricek‘s younger brother Adam. A prospect many are keeping an eye on ahead of the 2024 NHL draft. They might not have the same top-end quality, but Czechia is a team that can’t be underestimated. It’s an incredibly exciting team with both speed, skill and a strong team spirit after last year’s success.
Player to watch
It was already slightly mentioned above, but Adam Jiricek will be a player who will attract a lot of eyes in this tournament. Ranking fifth on our December 2024 NHL draft ranking, what truly is going to be exciting to see is how he plays against players closer to his age rather than professional players in the top Czech league.
The 17-year-old Czech has fantastic skating with some of the best edges in the entire tournament, and it should allow him to play a role offensively. He moves incredibly well on the blue line but has lacked a role this season to move past a conservative style in the Czech league. The question is if that is his style, or if he can develop into a true offensive treat this tournament. This game will set the tone for Jiricek, so watch for a big game from one of the younger players in the game.
Team Slovakia
Another team that was incredibly close to preventing Canada from winning in 2023 was Slovakia. Once again Canada won in overtime in a dramatic quarter-final clash. The game however did highlight the growth of Slovakian hockey in the past couple of years. A growth that continues this season with another team filled with potential. Offensively they have a ton of great players, from Filip Mesar to Dalibor Dvorský. In terms of depth, they also have a great team, so they will be able to score goals with a lot of the nations in the Juniors.
However, defensively Slovakia will be a lot thinner compared to last season, due to the loss of Simon Nemec. In his steed has come 16-year-old Luka Radivojevic, who despite his age has seen game time in the SHL this season. So while it’s an inexperienced defence, don’t be shocked if this team continues to challenge the best nations once again.
Player to Watch
For Slovakia to have success, one player will have to be on top of his game. Adam Gajan was incredible in the 2023 World Juniors and deservingly won best goaltender of the tournament. He needs to replicate that fairytale run, and almost add to it considering the new defence of Slovakia. Gajan will have a lot to do, but if he is a player like he did a year ago, Slovakia has a chance to get a historic win over their rival. Especially considering the great offensive threats of Slovakia. The Slovakian recipe for success will hinge on Gajan and an effective offence and special teams,
Prediction
As mentioned earlier this is a game that could go either way. A lot will be determined by who can keep themself out of the box and where the first goal could be critical to get. Especially for Czechia, as they have to find a way to break Adam Gajan before he gets going. It will be end to end, with chances, speed and intensity, that could end in overtime.
Prediction: Slovakia wins 3-2 in overtime
2024 World Juniors Predictions: Canada vs Finland
The clear match of the opening day. Last year’s winner from Canada starts their campaign against Finland. A game that will have large implementations for the final standing of Group A. Both teams have aspirations for gold, and getting off on the right foot will be key for both. Canada is the favourite and on paper has the better lineup, but it won’t be easy against a very motivated finish team, playing so close to home.
Team Canada
Last year they won it all with Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Dylan Guenther and so on. This year it’s a brand new lineup, with only Owen Beck returning, who will try to win the gold medal for the third year in a row. The team is once again filled with NHL prospects, who all are having strong seasons at their respective levels. Only two forwards aren’t drafted, and for one of them, is expected to be the 2024 draft’s first overall pick. Canada also has players like Fraser Minten, who played a few games in the NHL this season.
The only question mark for Canada is as usual in the net. Mathis Rousseau seems to get the start in game one, after a great QMJHL season. Time will tell if Rousseau can stand tall and lead Canada to yet another win against Finland or if the concerns about goaltending are validated by the end of the game.
Player to Watch
The most exciting player to watch this World Junior will be Macklin Celebrini. The player many expect to go first overall in the 2024 NHL draft will be following in the footsteps of Bedard as the dynamic playmaker on Canada’s offence. Celebrini has fantastic awareness and constantly is positioned in the right spot to make the right play. On top of that, his shot and passing are both elite. He can score from anywhere or make a pinpoint accurate pass to a wide-open teammate, making him nearly impossible to shut down. He is a great defensive forward, who gets involved all over the ice. This game could be his global coming-out party, where he truly solidifies himself as the 2024 first-overall pick.
Team Finland
Last year wasn’t one to remember for the Finns as they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by their arch-rivals Sweden. This season hopes are to repeat the win in Sweden from 2014, where they defeated Sweden in the gold medal game. The team this year only has five returnees and it will be a young team that is on the ice in Gothenburg. Some of the players are eligible for the 2024 NHL draft and it will be exciting to see how they hold up during the tournament. Unfortunately, they are without Aron Kiviharju, who was one of their expected top defencemen. Against Canada it will be a question of the hard-working mentality of Finland and Niklas Kokko can hold up against the stars.
Player to watch
If Finland are to create the upset against Canada they need Konsta Helenius to be a superstar. Helenius is yet another top prospect in the 2024 NHL draft who is expected to go in the top five. He is the best skater in the draft class and the most dynamic player to watch. His edges and explosiveness make him hard to cover, and he thrives in chaos and fast-paced games. He also has incredible awareness of where to be on the ice and he always seems to be moving. While he still needs some structure go his game, especially defensively, he is the player who can cause a lot of headaches for the Canadian defence in their first game of the tournament.
Prediction
Canada are favourites for a reason and the sheer firepower from the defending champions will be hard to stop for anyone. The loss of Kiviharju will hurt the Finish blueline and while Finland can make it close, the Canadian depth will be what makes the difference. Especially in the third period where Canada will secure three points in their first game of the tournament.
Prediction: Canada wins 6-3
Main Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
