Teens To Watch At The IIHF World Championships

More than 30 teenagers will compete in the 2024 IIHF World Championships. Here's a look at the top young names to follow in Utica, New York.

It's a tournament dominated by veterans and college hockey players, but there are a number of teenage stars who will be in competition at the 2024 World Championships in Utica, New York.

It's a grouping led by Switzerland who is fielding nine teenagers at the tournament, while the youngest player will be 2008 born forward Olivia Ranum of Denmark.

Here's a look at the top teens headed to Utica.

1. Tessa Janecke, 2004, USA - All-American, gold medalist, and an offensive force to be reckoned with. Janecke is part of the motor that drives USA.

2. Kirsten Simms, 2004, USA - It won't be long before Kirsten Simms is leading Team USA and perhaps the world in scoring. There may not be a more skilled forward on the planet right now.

3. Adela Sapovalivova, 2006, Czechia - If Czechia has hopes of knocking off Canada or USA, Sapovalivova's offensive growth will be crucial. She's so elusive with the puck, it will be exciting to watch her transition to the NCAA soon.

4. Mira Jungaker, 2005, Sweden - She's the future of Sweden's blueline, and perhaps the best teenage defender in the tournament. Two way poise beyond her years.

5. Hilda Svensson, 2006, Sweden - After tying for Sweden's scoring lead last year, expectations will be high for Svensson. She's headed to the NCAA, and is emerging as an elite player on the international stage.

6. Sanni Vanhanen, 2005, Finland - No teen has been around the senior national level longer than Vanhanen. A strong skater, she had an offensive breakthrough this year, albeit in the weaker Naisten Liiga. She's ready to head to Sweden or North American for better competition.

7. Ida Karlsson, 2004, Sweden - A fabulous rookie season in the NCAA with Minnesota-Duluth was a gift to Team Sweden who will look to benefit from Karlsson's rapid growth in North America.

8. Tereza Plosova, 2006, Czechia - Not to be overlooked among Czechia's future stars is Tereza Plosova. A year older and wiser, Czechia will look for her to take a step forward.

9. Ebba Hebqvist, 2006, Sweden - She certainly has offensive upside, but Hebqvist is also responsible in her two-way game beyond her years. Good speed and on ice intelligence has allowed her to thrive in a depth role for Sweden, but can this be the year the offense follows?

10. Alessia Baechler, 2005, Switzerland - For a nation with a lack of blueline depth, Baechler will play top pairing minutes for Switzerland. She's another player who would greatly benefit from leaving home soil for stronger competition.

11. Ivana Way, 2006, Switzerland - She'll start here before skyrocketing up this list next year. Wey has all the tools necessary to be a star for Switzerland.

12. Tereza Pistekova, 2005, Czechia - The third member of Czechia's returning teenage forwards, Pistekova is another Czechia will need to continue her offensive development if they hope to challenge North America's dominance.

13. Naemi Herzig, 2007, Switzerland - The second half of Switzerland's future offensive stars is Naemi Herzig. She trained alongside Lara Stalder this year, and will be a player everyone will be looking to get eyes on in Utica.

14. Kohane Sato, 2006, Japan - Kohane Sato is Japan's top young prospect, and she'll be counted on to take a bigger role with the team's defensive group this year to get Japan back into Group A.

15. Julia Schalin, 2005, Finland - A big season in Naisten Liiga, Schalin has the skill, she just needs the seasons, likely in the SDHL.

16. Mira Hallin, 2006, Sweden - The star of Sweden's U-18 program moves up to play alongside Svensson as key components of Sweden's future.

17. Anezka Cabelova, 2006, Czechia - Spent the season playing prep hockey in Canada and it paid off. She's head to Boston University next season.

18. Makoto Ito, 2004, Japan - Ito is no newcomer to Japan, but she will benefit this year from a stronger core of veterans. Watch for her to follow in the footsteps of those veterans and look for international competition as early as next season.

19. Alena Lynn Rossel, 2006, Switzerland - Starred for Switzerland's U-18 program in recent years, played for the senior national team last year. With Switzerland's youthful blueline, Rossel will have every chance to step forward in a big way.

20. Anna-Kaisa Antti-Roiko, 2004, Finland - Finland doesn't have a ton of young players up front as their forward group is extremely talented. Antti-Roiko won't see a ton of chances, but it's not for a lack of skill.

Other teens in the tournament: Alizee Aymon (2005, Switzerland), Annic Büchi (2005, Switzerland), Leoni Balzer (2006, Switzerland), Alina Marti (2004, Switzerland), Vanessa Schaefer (2005, Switzerland), Rio Noro (2004, Japan), Olivia Ranum (2008, Denmark), Frederikke Foss (2005, Denmark), Caroline Bjergstad (2005, Denmark), Frida Mia Kielstrup (2005, Denmark), Silja Franksdottir Engel Rasmussen (2007, Denmark), Hannah Loist (2007, Germany), Charlotte Schaffrath (2005, Germany), Svenja Voigt, (2004, Germany)