NHL Prospects Excel at World Juniors in Europe
Exciting developments in the realm of hockey prospects are occurring in Europe this season. El-Balad highlights some of the most promising NHL-affiliated prospects from the recently concluded 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, held from December 26 to January 5. The championship culminated with Sweden’s impressive victory over Czechia, winning the gold medal with a score of 4-2 at the Grand Casino Arena.
Top NHL Prospects Perform at World Juniors
Jack Berglund – Sweden
Jack Berglund, a 19-year-old forward with Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), had an outstanding tournament. Selected in the second round (No. 51) of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, he captained Sweden to its first gold medal since 2012. Berglund notched 10 points during the tournament, including three goals and seven assists, tying for the team lead. This season, he recorded five points in 22 games with Farjestad.
Boelius – Finland
The young Finn, drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (No. 60) of the 2025 NHL Draft, made a significant impact despite Finland finishing fourth after a loss to Canada in the bronze-medal game. The 18-year-old defenseman accumulated seven points in the tournament, with two goals and five assists, ranking third among defensemen. He has recorded six points in 30 games this season with Assat in Finland’s Liiga.
Vojtech Cihar – Czechia
A standout player for Czechia, 18-year-old Vojtech Cihar was selected in the second round (No. 59) of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. Cihar led Czechia in scoring and finished fourth overall in the tournament with 12 points, scoring four goals and assisting eight times. He played a vital role in leading Czechia to the gold-medal game. Cihar also represented the media all-star team and was voted the tournament’s most valuable player. He currently has eight points in 27 games with HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga.
Anton Frondell – Sweden
Anton Frondell, an 18-year-old forward with Djurgardens IF, was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round (No. 3) of the 2025 NHL Draft. He finished tied for second in scoring at the World Juniors, impressively netting five goals in seven matches. Frondell’s eight total points placed him 12th in the tournament scoring leaderboard. He was voted as one of Sweden’s top three players and named the tournament’s top forward.
Freij – Sweden
Leading all Swedish defensemen at the tournament, 19-year-old Freij, drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round (No. 37) of the 2024 NHL Draft, was remarkable with seven assists. While playing for Timra in the SHL, he has contributed two assists in 25 games this season.
- Sweden: Gold Medal Winner
- Czechia: Silver Medal Winner
- Finland: Fourth Place Finish
The World Juniors showcased the immense talent of these young athletes. Their performance not only highlights their potential future in the NHL but also elevates the profile of European hockey prospects.
