There will be so much talent at the World Men's Under-18s, featuring players trying to convince NHL scouts they should be first-round picks or, for some, get drafted at all.
The IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championship kicks off on Thursday, and as always, it will be one of the most important showcases for this year’s NHL draft-eligible talent. It’s also the first look at some of the best 2025 draft-eligible kids on the big stage.
This tournament has massively boosted draft stocks in past years, and it could happen once again. Whether it’s a European player who has been under-scouted or a player on the USA Hockey National Team Development Program who breaks out on the biggest stage, there seems to be someone who makes magic in front of scouts from every NHL team.
Let’s look at some of the most intriguing players to watch at the U-18s, whether they want to solidify themselves as top-end prospects or earn a higher pick than anticipated.
Liam Greentree, LW, Canada
After playing on one of the worst teams in the CHL, Greentree will finally get the chance to showcase his game with upper-echelon linemates. He has some size, plays with power and has wicked hands. It’s nearly impossible to get the puck off of him. His vision, even under pressure, is near the top end of this draft class. If Greentree can put up some big numbers and show that he can keep up with higher-end linemates, he could push his draft stock into being a top-10 pick. I currently have him ranked ninth.
Matthew Schaefer, D, Canada
Some of Canada’s best players will be their youngest ones, and Matthew Schaefer will be the offensive catalyst on the back end. He was the first overall pick in the OHL draft last year and put together a very good rookie campaign. His skating is silky smooth, and his ability to read the ice and create offensive chances from the back end are impressive. There is a chance he is Canada’s best defenseman. If he can play at his best, he could get a leg up on next year’s draft class and assert himself as the top blueliner for the 2025 NHL draft.
Gavin McKenna, LW, Canada
Simply put, McKenna was incredible to watch at the WHL level this year, putting up 97 points as a 16-year-old. His playmaking is unreal, and his shooting talent is evident. He is a bit slight and can get pushed off the puck, but that would mean a defender would have to get within a few feet of him – which doesn’t happen often. McKenna isn’t available in the NHL draft until 2026, but there is a good chance he is Canada’s most potent offensive player.
Cole Eiserman, LW, USA
The American sniper has been up and down NHL draft boards all year long. He is an elite finisher who can score with a booming one-timer on the power play or by burying rebounds around the net in traffic. There have been questions about whether he can be more of a driver of play and if there will be development away from the puck. The U-18s are the biggest stage for a draft eligible to put questions like that to rest. Eiserman’s tournament could determine whether he’s a top-20 pick or a top-10 pick.
Teddy Stiga, LW, USA
With Eiserman and James Hagens getting most of the hype on the NTDP, Stiga has been an absolute stud. His ability to play with anyone up and down the lineup and find success has been fun to watch. Stiga has a nonstop motor and will outwork anyone in the corner to advance the play. He also thinks the game at a high level, always knowing what his options are and adapting if he needs to.
Cole Hutson, D, USA
After a bit of a slow start to the year, Hutson has really come on in the second half. His defensive game isn’t fantastic, but he is a fun offensive blueliner. So many people have compared him to his older brother, Montreal Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson. There certainly are stylistic similarities, but Cole isn’t quite as skilled, and his skating isn’t necessarily as dynamic. With that said, he’s a very skilled blueliner who wants to create. A good tournament could help his draft stock in a big way.
Alfons Freij, D, Sweden
There are some (it’s me) who think Freij has the potential to be a cerebral blueliner. He has a chance to defend with skating and skill before creating offense with dynamic skating and crisp passing at the pro level. Others aren’t as bullish on the young Swede. This tournament could be just what Freij needs to generate more discussion about his game and get him into the first round on more NHL draft boards. Freij might be the most exciting blueliner to watch at the U-18s.
Linus Eriksson, C, Sweden
The Swedish NHL draft class has been quite solid, and Linus Eriksson is one of the best in the group. He’s such a smart player who will work a give-and-go, make passes into space for teammates to skate onto or wait for a defender to close to open up a passing lane. Eriksson plays a steady, strong game at both ends of the ice and elevates whichever linemates he is with.
Alexander Zetterberg, C/W, Sweden
The undersized Swede plays with a high skill level, has some slick playmaking ability as a passer and shows some intriguing qualities in transition. He was once viewed as a surefire first-round pick. While his star has faded quite a bit, he could use the U-18s to reintroduce himself as a legitimate prospect in the NHL draft class.
Aron Kiviharju, D, Finland
Having not played a meaningful game since the end of September, the U-18s will be basically all that scouts have to go on regarding Kiviharju. Once considered a challenger for first overall, Kiviharju hasn’t seen much progression over the last 18 months, and his knee injury hasn’t helped. He is a crisp, clean passer who can defend at his age group at a high level, but that suffered a bit when playing against men at the Liiga level. He’s undersized, and his skating isn’t top-notch, so it will be interesting to see how he holds up in his first game action in six months.
Konsta Helenius, C, Finland
It wasn’t a guarantee that Helenius was going to be at the U-18s as he was with the Finnish men’s team preparing for the men’s World Championship, but they sent him back down to the U-18 squad where he will get some game action in before likely rejoining the men’s group. Helenius should put up some very good production at this tournament because he is generally one of the smarter and more refined players on the ice. He may not have the uber high-end skills, but he makes the right play at the right time and finds excellent results.
Aatos Koivu, C/W, Finland
The son of former Canadiens captain, Saku Koivu, Aatos Koivu has a chance to really get his name out there at the U-18s. He has been very good at the Finnish junior level, with more than a point per game, but his few appearances in the Liiga showed just how mature of a game he plays. He works hard and can play throughout the lineup. At the U-18 level, he could showcase his two-way game and earn some love from NHL scouts in the process.
Adam Benak, C/W, Czechia
He may be one of Czechia’s youngest players, but he will also be one of their most important players up front. He just turned 17 in early April and, despite his undersized stature, is skilled and understands where to go to score goals. His playmaking is also focused through center ice. Benak was a big part of the Czech team winning silver at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and he will likely be a big part of any success that Czechia has at the U-18s.
Tomas Galvas, D, Czechia
Galvas had a few really impressive, flashy moments at the world juniors this past December, and he should be even more remarkable playing at the U-18 level. He is a gifted skater who is mobile in all four directions. His ability to play a big part in transition will help this Czech team, which doesn’t have a ton of high-end skill up front. His defensive game is still hit or miss, but he should be a capable defender at the U-18 level after a season playing primarily against men. This tournament could be the difference between hearing his name on Day 1 or 2 of the NHL draft.
Elias Straume Vatne, W, Norway
He’s small and sometimes plays small, but Elias Straume Vatne is fun to watch. The draft-eligible forward will have the chance to really show why he is worthy of a draft pick in June. He is energetic and shows some interesting skill.
Miroslav Satan, C, Slovakia
The massive forward is ranked just outside the top 50 on NHL Central Scouting’s European skaters. Satan Jr. – son of Stanley Cup champion Miroslav Satan Sr. – has produced more than a point per game at the Slovak junior level by using his body to shield pucks and maintain possession. He skates well for his size, but seeing him against some of the best players in his age group will be a whole different thing. If he has a big tournament, it’s hard to see some NHL team not falling in love with a 6-foot-7 forward with some scoring touch.
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