Team Slovakia has released their World Junior camp rosters, and there's quite a few familiar names for QMJHL fans who will likely represent the crest in Ottawa.
The most notable of the four is Moncton Wildcats' winger Juraj Pekarcik.
Pekarcik, 19, has tallied 27 points (9+18) with the Wildcats since making the move from the USHL to the QMJHL this off-season.
This is the second time the St. Louis Blues 2023 third rounder play for the Slovak U-20 squad, having scored three points (1+2) over five games last season
Joining him is 2025 NHL draft hopeful Andreas Straka.
Straka, 17, has picked up 13 points (4+9) in 20 games since joining the Remparts as the fourth round selection in the CHL import draft this off-season.
He was ranked as a sixth to seventh round prospect on the NHL Central Scouting watchlist last October, when he had just three points over nine games.
A big performance at the tournament, coupled with his improved league play could turn Straka into one of the draft's biggest risers.
Fellow Remparts player, defenseman Peter Valent will join Straka as they try to make Team Slovakia.
Valent, who will be 19 by the start of the tournament, has five points (1+4) over 25 games with the Remparts.
He joined the team this off-season as Quebec's second round import selection.
Winning the Slovak top league championship with HK Nitra last season, Valent's inclusion to the team could bring some much needed championship pedigree to the underdog Slovakian team.
Joining Valent in battling for a spot on the blueline is Armada defenseman Samuel Kupec.
Kupec, 18, has four points (0+4) over 20 games with the Armada this season, after being taken with the eighth overall pick in the CHL Import Draft in July.
After an underwhelming first half of the season, the tournament could be the exact change-up that could shift the momentum back in his favour.
Alongside these four, Slovakia also invited former Sherbrooke Phoenix forward Frantisek Dej.
Dej, 19, played for the Phoenix last season, scoring 16 points (4+12) over 50 games.
He has since returned home to Slovakia, primarily playing in the top league and scoring two points (0+2) over 13 games so far with Dukla Trecin.