Finnish phenom Ruohonen, Swedish power-play maestro Boumedienne, and Czech standout Nestrašil shine beyond North America's dominance in the World Juniors.
The United States of America and Canada hold the belt of showcasing the most NCAA players in really any international tournament, but we could not let the impressive talents from outside North America go unacknowledged in this year's World Junior tournament.
Jan 5, 2026; St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Finland forward Heikki Ruohonen (28) celebrates his goal against Canada during the second period in the third place game of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey tournament at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn ImagesHeikki Ruohonen (Finland/Harvard)
Helsinki native Heikki Ruohonen earned his flowers in an impressive showing in his second rodeo at the under-20 level for World Juniors.
The 19-year-old led his country with nine points in total. That number was good for the share of eighth among the entire tournament.
He actively plays for Harvard University, with nearly a half point per game average in his freshman season.
Ruohonen came from Finland in 2024, where he started his North American career in the USHL for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The summer prior, he already found a way to be drafted into the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Jan 2, 2026; St. Paul, Minnesota, UNITED STATES; Sweden defense Sascha Boumedienne (5) celebrates his goal against Latvia during the second period in the quarterfinals of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesSascha Boumedienne (Sweden/Boston U)
The Winnipeg Jets first round pick was used intelligently in the 2025 NHL Draft on Sascha Boumedienne.
It is not to say Boumedienne had the most impressive stats of the tournament with just a pair of goals and assists, but watching him play and operate the dominant Sweden power play is another thing in his first year with the U20 team.
Example: the power play goal he scored against Czechia to give his country a convincing 3-0 lead in the Gold Medal Game.
He was a heavy contributor to the tournament’s second-best power play, stationed at 43.48%, only behind an insane Canadian unit that went 50% (12 for 24).
Boumedienne, at just the age of 18, is already in his sophomore season with Boston University, where his next point will be his 20th career point in the NCAA, coming from a blueliner.
Nestrašil celebrating after scoring. Credit: Bleacher NationVáclav Nestrašil (Czechia/UMass)
It has been quite an explosive season in all realms for Václav Nestrašil of Team Czechia.
The 6’6 190 right winger is not only having a sensational freshman season at Massachusetts, but he stuck out on a Czechia team that turned heads and won a silver medal only behind Sweden in this years World Juniors.
Nestrašil had 8 points in 7 gamesup in Minnesota, as well as currently has 21 points in 20 games with the Minutemen of UMass.
This Chicago Blackhawks product drafted 25th overall last year is clearly going to be special.