Merry Christmas everyone! Hockey is bringing us Holiday cheer once again with some International games! The 2024 World Junior Championship is back. With it, there will be many 2024 World Juniors Predictions! There are many names to watch, and teams to keep a close eye on! Today, we will be breaking down the late games, between Team USA and Norway, as well as Sweden versus Latvia.
2024 World Juniors Predictions
Team USA Favoured Over New Arrivals
Norway, last year, got promoted to the top tournament of international hockey. It’s their first time back in the division since 2014. Meanwhile, they’re taking on a powerhouse in Team USA, with many big names on their roster, up and down the lineup. While Norway has only one player ever drafted in the top two rounds (back in 2002), Team USA has 10 first round draft picks littered throughout their lineup. For Norway, they will be leaning on their projected 2024 first round pick, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, to guide the way.
Despite the underdog mentality, and a potential x-factor in Brandsegg-Nygard, it seems woefully unlikely that Norway gets a magical start. For the US squad, they’ll be leaning on former top-10 pick Ryan Leonard, as well as captain Rutger McGroarty, up front. Meanwhile, on the back-end, they will be led by a combination of Seamus Casey, Lane Hutson, and several other high calibre defenders. Meanwhile, in net, they have Trey Augustine, who has taken the NCAA by storm this season. While Brandsegg-Nygard is quite the tantalising talent, being tasked with carrying his team past a star-studded US team will be too tall a task.
Prediction: USA wins 7-1
Sweden Takes On Latvia
The hosts are looking to put on a show for the home crowd, looking to open with a bang. Sweden will be led by Jonathan Lekkerimaki and a pair of Sabres prospects in Anton Wahlberg and Noah Ostlund. Then, throughout their forward lineup, they have the likes of Liam Ohgren, David Edstrom, and Otto Stenberg. Meanwhile, their defence core is deep, with Axel Sandin-Pellikka leading the way. With him are the likes of Tom Willander, Elias Pettersson and Mattias Havelid, among others. In net, they have 2024 draft eligible Hugo Havelid, who has struggled thus far in the Allsvenskan. Meanwhile, Latvia has just two current NHLers on their roster in Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis.
While Austria was on the brink of relegation last season, Sweden was pushing for a medal. Once again, Sweden should be right in the thick of things when it comes to racing for a medal. And Latvia likely will have to battle once more to remain in the top tournament. Similar to the above match-up, the star power of Sweden will simply be too much for a roster lacking similar fire power.
Prediction: Sweden wins 9-2
Main Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
