World Junior All Star Team Prediction - OHL Edition

Every year, the IIHF makes a World Junior "All Star" team at the end of the tournament to recognize the best player performances at each position. 

With the 2024 World Juniors starting in five days, here is an "All Star" team prediction — OHL Edition.

At Left Wing is Kasper Halttunen of the London Knights, representing Finland at the World Juniors. The San Jose Sharks first round pick has had a dominant first season in the OHL, and he has been able to score at a 0.71 goals per game pace. 

Halttunen's one-timer is often his weapon of choice, and he will be on of Finland's go-to players in the attacking zone. Finland's roster is slightly weaker than in past years, but Halttunen's natural goal scoring ability will elevate their offence tremendously. 

In London, Halttunen is used to playing with highly talented players like Denver Barkey, Easton Cowan, and Ruslan Gazizov. He will get those same opportunities in this tournament with the talent Finland has up front.

At Centre is Matthew Poitras, who was a late addition for the Canadians after being sent to the World Juniors by the Boston Bruins. Poitras is Canada's first line centre, and the trajectory of this team highly relies on his individual success. 

Poitras is likely headed back to the Guelph Storm when this tournament concludes — a huge addition for them. To Canada's team, he brings recent pro experience playing a large role for the Boston Bruins for the first part of the season. He still needs some fine-tuning in junior before he can completely make the jump, which is why they have sent him back.

Poitras' complete game and playmaking ability will be huge for this team, as Canada also has a slightly weaker team than in recent years. They have a lot of depth, and originally had no superstar or go-to player. Matthew Poitras has now filled this title. 

At Right Wing, it's the purely, naturally skilled Filip Mesar. The Kitchener Rangers winger has not skipped a beat since returning from his short stent in the AHL, and now he is heading to Sweden to represent Slovakia once again. 

Mesar's skill is advanced for the OHL, and he has the ability to continuously create at the major junior level. He will take this over to Sweden, and help a very talented Slovakia team. 

Slovakia has the potential to compete for a medal this year, and they have a very deep team on paper. Mesar is a huge piece of this roster, and he will have to be on his game offensively for them to find success.

At Left Defence is Arttu Karki, who has been a power play weapon for the Soo Greyhounds since coming over to North America. Karki — the Vegas third round pick — has taken his shooting talents to the OHL and hasn't skipped a single beat. 

Karki has 16 goals from the blue line this year. A lot of his goals come from the right circle on the powerplay, but this is what he does best. He will be a power play threat for Finland, alongside Kasper Halttunen. This duo has the potential to create the best power play unit in the entire tournament, and the Fins will be a team that you don't want to take penalties against.

At Right Defence is Oliver Bonk, who has been playing quarterback on the second powerplay unit in early pre-tournament games. Bonk's utility is what makes him unique for Team Canada, he can play both special teams units and his play in transition makes him easy to play with.

Bonk has been a significant piece for the London Knights again this season, and he is continuously proving why the Philadelphia Flyers took him at 22nd overall. 

In goal is Jakub Vondras, who is one of two goalies from the OHL playing in this tournament. He will likely start as the backup, but he will likely have the opportunity to take over the starting role from Michael Hrabal at some point.

Czechia has another strong team, and will look to compete for another medal this year. As the likely backup, Vondras will still play a vital role in this team's success.

Vondras has had a steady season with the Sudbury Wolves. He hasn't been phenomenal, but he has been good enough to earn Sudbury wins. This is the Carolina Hurricanes prospect's first chance to represent Czechia at the World Juniors.