Players To Watch At The U-18 World Championships

The U-18 World Championships are about to drop the puck. This year another group of talent players including Chloe Primerano and Nela Lopusanova will compete. Here's a look at 10 players to watch.

The U-18 World Championships has become a sneak peek into the future stars not only of the NCAA and national teams, but now the PWHL as well. This year's tournament has some of the most noteworthy players to step on U-18 ice in decades. Here's a look at some of the top players to watch at the IIHF women's U-18 World Championships. The tournament runs in Finland from January 4-12.

Here's a look at some of the top players to watch in the tournament.

Chloe Primerano, Canada - What's left to say about Primerano? She can and will single handedly change games. She's not only capable of playing a physical game in her own zone, but Primerano can explode into the offensive zone or carry a puck on a string end to end. She's the future backbone of Canada's senior national team, but fans are lucky to get to see her one more time at the U-18 level. 

Nela Lopusanova, Slovakia - This will be Lopusanova's third U-18 World Championship, and she still has another season of eligibility. Committed to play NCAA hockey for Wisconsin, Lopusanova continues to make headlines wherever she goes as a potent goalscorer. Right now, Lopusanova and fellow Slovak standout Ema Tothova are the difference between Slovakia being competitive and being relegated.

Ema Tothova, Slovakia - Often overlooked in the discussion of top European players due to her Slovak teammate, Ema Tothova is hard to ignore on the ice. The 5-foot-10 Ohio State commit combines size and skill in a potent manner. Lopusanova can't do it alone, and luckily she won't have to with Tothova along for the ride. Tothova has been one of the best players in the EWHL playing against pro players this season.

Naemi Herzig, Switzerland - Switzerland's competitiveness is falling at every level, and Naemi Herzig will have a heavy load to carry on both sides of the puck at this tournament. She plays a scrappy game but can also produce offensively. Headed to Holy Cross University in the NCAA, Herzig will continue her development in North America, but at this tournament, she'll play heavy minutes in all situation to keep Switzerland in games.

Danica Maynard, Canada - Don't let this undersized defender slip under your radar. Maynard is fun to watch as she dances around the ice. An immaculate skater who can change directions and evade checkers on a dime. Penn State is getting one of the most skilled blueliners in the U-18 category next season. She's been a bit overlooked on the global stage, but could change that this tournament.

Julie Jebousková, Czechia - Gone are Adela Sapovalivova and Tereza Plosova who have been dominant at this tournament in recent years. It's time for Czechia's next wave to step in, and Julie Jebousková will be Czechia's offensive centerpiece in that movement. She won a national title last season with Shattuck at the 16-U level, and this season is Shattuck's 19-U leading scorer. Committed to Maine, she's one of Czechia's next wave that will need to step forward for the nation.

Edit Danielsson, Sweden - One of Sweden's top teens in the SDHL, Danielsson has made leaps and bounds with Frolunda this year. Playing among top professional players, you can see her improving each week. Sweden has good depth at this tournament, and if there's a player who can rise to the top of that group, Danielsson is a good bet.

Sloane Hartmetz, USA - She's shifty on the blueline, and skilled with the puck. On the small side, Hartmetz was one of USA's top performers in their summer series against Canada, showing how elusive she can be with the puck on her stick. USA will need players to step up in a meaningful way if they hope to repeat for hold, and Hartmetz could be one. 

Magdaléna Felcmanová, Czechia - The 5-foot-10 Czech forward has shown growth in her game over the last year. She uses her size, which if she can find a school in North America will help her in the next step of her career. Playing in Finland, Felcmanová has put up decent numbers this year. Could this tournament be her coming out party?

Abigail Byskata, Finland - Byskata had an excellent tournament last season for Finland scoring eight points in six games. This year she's been captaining Finland's U-18 team in pre tournament competitions and continues to produce well. The biggest knock on Byskata is her size, but at this tournament it will be less of a factor.

Stryker Zablocki, Canada - You could run down Canada's roster from Sara Manness to Rosalie Tremblay, put your name on a player and have a potential All-Star at this tournament. Zablocki has been blessed with a gear that few possess. Her neutral zone separation speed is difficult to manage, and she's an equally adept finisher when she gets into scoring position. In terms of offensive threats, few in this tournament will challenge the Northeastern commit.

While our players to watch are all going to play unique roles with their teams, there are players like Sara Manness, Linda Vocetková, and Rosalie Trembley who may rise above their teammates and opponents. That list also includes prospects like Mary Derrenbacher, Kerttu Kuja-Halkola, Maddie McCullough, Maggie Averill, Morgan Stickney, Nellie Svensson, Ebba Westerlind, Tilde Grillfors, Johanna Tischler, Lovisa Engström, Kerttu Kuja-Halkola, Ebba Hesselvall, and Barbora Proskova. The U-18 tournament is filled with talent, and new stars are certain to rise.