Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg speaks to the media after Florida's 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights at Amerant Bank Arena on Dec. 23. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Many are celebrating during the season of giving, exchanging gifts back and forth. Hockey fans get the best gift of all, a chance to watch the future stars of the game. Starting on Boxing Day, Dec. 26, it’s the start of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship. The tournament will run until Jan. 5 of 2024 from Gothenberg, Sweden. There will be two venues – Scandinavium and Frolundaborg – used for the games. Since its official inaugural season in 1977, Sweden has hosted the tournament six times prior to this year. This year’s event will have a 10-team field, with Canada coming in winning two consecutive tournaments. The Florida Panthers will have two prospects of their own playing in the tournament when the games get underway on Tuesday. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Florida’s 2022 third round draft pick (93rd overall) defenseman Marek Alscher will be representing Czechia. From Slany, Alscher has spent the last three seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The six-foot-three 206-pound defenseman has 49 points (17 goals, 32 assists) in 147 games, and a plus-28 rating. This season, he has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 26 games. A big reason for Alscher’s increase in production is his traits. With his big frame, Alscher is able to use his body to close gaps and keep opposing players on the perimeter. He also is a presence in his own zone with his physicality and quick to clear the front of the net. Alscher and Czechia’s schedule goes as follows: Dec. 26 against Slovakia at 6am ET, Dec. 27 against Norway at 11am, Dec. 29 against the United States at 11am, and Dec. 31 against Switzerland, 11am. Alscher has been at Panthers development camp in each of the past two summers. The second Panthers prospect to be playing in the upcoming under-20 tournament is forward Sandis Vilmanis, who will be representing Latvia. Vilmanis was a fifth-round pick (157th overall) at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft from Riga. In his second season with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League, the six-foot-one 192 pound forward has produced 73 points (30 goals, 43 assists) in 92 career games. He is averaging about a point per game this season with 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 30 outings. This be Vilmanis’ third time playing in the World Juniors, where he has recorded three points (one goal, two assist) in his first 11 games across two tournaments. He recently scored three goals against Norway on Dec. 21 in their pre-tournament matchup. Vilmanis’ experience and how he’s grown in Sarnia are going to be a big factor when Latvia takes the ice in Gothenberg. He battles hard for pucks and goaltenders have shown to a hard time reading the puck once it comes off of Vilmanis’ stick when he gets off his quick wrist shot from the outside, often through screens. Vilmanis has also been at Panthers development camp in both 2022 and 2023, along with Alscher. Latvia’s schedule goes as follows: Dec. 26 against Sweden at 1:30pm ET, Dec. 27th against Canada at 1:30pm, Dec. 29 against Finland at 8:30am, and Dec. 30 against Germany 1:30. The quarterfinals will be held on Jan. 2, semifinals and relegation game on Jan. 4, with the third-place and championship game played on Jan. 5 to finish off the tournament. All games in the United States can be seen on NHL Network, TSN in Canada. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Merry Christmas from THN Florida! [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/merry-christmas-from-thn-florida] Three takeaways: Panthers ride strong start, timely power play goals to victory over Vegas [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-panthers-ride-strong-start-timely-power-play-goals-to-victory-over-vegas] Ryan Lomberg exacts revenge on Keegan Kolesar for Stanley Cup Final hit on Matthew Tkachuk [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/ryan-lomberg-exacts-revenge-on-keegan-kolesar-for-stanley-cup-final-hit-on-matthew-tkachuk] Special teams power Panthers past Vegas 4-2 in Staley Cup Final rematch [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/special-teams-power-panthers-past-vegas-4-2-in-staley-cup-final-rematch] Panthers debut new Fort Lauderdale practice facility, starting next chapter in Broward County [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/panthers-debut-new-fort-lauderdale-practice-facility-starting-next-chapter-in-broward-county] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
