15 Players To Watch At The U-18 World Championships

We countdown 15 incredible prospects to watch at the U-18 women's World Championships in Zug, Switzerland.

The U-18 World Championships are ready to get underway. This year's tournament features a wealth of returning talent, including a pair of generational players in Chloe Primerano and Nela Lopusanova. There's also an impressive group of players who have already make their senior national team debuts.

When putting together a list of players to watch, you could technically select three lines from Team Canada's roster, which is as deep with talent as any lineup they've fielded in recent seasons. It's their tournament to lose as they enter as heavy favorites to three-peat.

Every player in this tournament is talented, but here's a look at 15 players to watch at the 2024 U-18 World Championships in Zug, Switzerland.

1. Chloe Primerano, Canada - Speaking to Hockey Canada brass, they want to find a way to get Primerano to the senior national team sooner than later. That says a lot about this 16-year-old blueliner. She has 57 points in 15 games in CSSHL action this year with RINK Kelowna putting her on pace for 100 points. She will be a standout at this tournament flashing her creativity and vision that's facilitated by incredible edges. And she still has another year of U-18 eligibility remaining. 

2. Nela Lopusanova, Slovakia - One year ago Nela Lopusanova's name was written across headlines worldwide. She put the U-18 women's tournament on the map in 2023, so don't expect her to take a backseat to Primerano. It's a battle of two generational talents. Lopusanova might not put up the same outlandish numbers this year given the Groups have been mixed, but she's a dynamic forward who is never afraid to make an eye popping move at top speed. This year with Bishop Kearney, Lopusanova has been electric. She's the reigning U-18 MVP.

3. Adela Sapovalivova, Czechia - Already with two World Championship bronze medals to her name, Sapovalivova is back for her third and final U-18 tournament. She's scoring at a point per game pace with MoDo in the SDHL, the best league in Europe, and will take her game to Wisconsin next season to play in the NCAA. She's quick and agile, and elusive with the puck. 

4. Hilda Svensson, Sweden - Playing for Sweden at the World Championships in April, Svensson scored 10 seconds into her first game. With 10 seconds remaining trailing 2-1 to Canada in the quarterfinals, Svensson, then 16, scored again sending the game to overtime. She finished her first senior national tournament with 11 points in seven games. She's had a bit of a lull in the SDHL this year, but expect her to pop off against her peers.

5. Caitlin Kraemer, Canada - She led the U-18 World in goals last season with 10. If she scores four more this year, she'll become Canada's all-time leading goal scorer breaking the 13 goal record held by Marie-Philip Poulin. She's a powerful forward to loves to drive the next. Off the rush, few are better.

6. Abby Stonehouse, Canada - There's a lot of skill ahead of Stonehouse on this lineup, but she's a prototypical Canadian national team player. Someday she could take the place of a player like Blayre Turnbull as a two-way, agitating and intense forward who finds ways to contribute. She might not lead the tournament in scoring, but her impact will be equal to or greater than those who score more.

7. Tereza Plosova, Czechia - In 2022, Plosova led the U-18 Worlds in scoring. Last year she won a bronze at the senior national tournament. Plosova is among the next wave of stars from Czechia who will continue to drive the nation forward. She's an intelligent player who doesn't provide as much flash as others on this list, but when you look at the scoresheet, there she is.

8. Emma Venusio, Canada - While Primerano and her likely partner Gracie Graham will receive a lot of hype on Canada's blueline, Emma Venusio is the rock that will steady the group when needed. She has an absolute cannon of a shot that can beat goaltenders from anywhere. Giving Venusio any time with the puck is a bad idea, and she's mobile enough to make that time and space for herself. 

9. Naemi Herzig, Switzerland - The Swiss have an intriguing one-two punch up front this year. Some believe Naemi Herzig will be the next big thing to come out of Switzerland after Alina Muller and Lara Stalder. Some think it's the next player on this list. She has a great compete level.

10. Ivana Wey, Switzerland - Wey has great hands. Alongside Herzig and Stalder, they're bringing EV Zug to bigger and better things. Wey trails only Stalder in teams scoring with 53 points in 11 games. She can dangle with the best of them, and could be Switzerland's top scorer in the tournament.

11. Stryker Zablocki, Canada - Speed and more speed, Stryker Zablocki can separate herself from defenders in a heartbeat. And when she doesn't have the puck, Zablocki is relentless in pursuit, and physical upon arrival. She has 41 points in 17 games this season with the Regina Rebels and is destined for Northeastern in the NCAA.

12. Ebba Hedqvist, Sweden - Alongside Svensson, Hedqvist made the jump to Sweden's senior national team last year. A good skater, Hedqvist isn't going to dangle through a team, but she does the little things, and wins races to pucks, or separates in stride to create chances.

13. Maggie Scannell, USA - Scannell and fellow returning Americans like Bella Fanale are going to need to find a way to carry a US team that on paper looks weaker than years past. In tournament play anything is possible, but it will take leadership from Scannell, who uses her size to her advantage playing a power game, to lift this American team. She led USA in scoring last year and should again this season.

14. Tuuli Tallinen, Finland - Much like Scannell, Tallinen is the leader of a below average Team Finland. Tallinen is a big bodied defender who can transport pucks, but what she provides in leadership and defensive acumen, she has yet to show in offensive output. Some of the tools are there, and this would be a good tournament for Tallinen to take some risks.

15. Ema Tothova, Slovakia - If you think Slovakia is a one player show, you're mistaken. Tothova is a sizeable forward who is currently tied for third in EWHL scoring, a league comprised of ex-NCAA players and national team members. While she can often be pegged as a goal scorer, Tothova is a sneaky playmaker as well.