I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas this year! But for all hockey fans, the festive feeling is just underway. The World Junior Championships kick off this afternoon in Minnesota, and there are numerous up and coming Capitals prospects to watch for Bear Nation to keep their eye on.

All World Junior games will be broadcast on NHL Network.

The Prospects

• Leon Muggli, Defenseman, Switzerland: Let’s start with the one Bears fans already know. Leon Muggli is the first player actively on the Bears roster to be assigned to a World Juniors roster since fellow Swiss native Tobias Geisser was assigned to the Switzerland team in 2019. Geisser didn’t end up playing a game that tournament due to injury he sustained in a tune up game, so if/when Muggli suits up, he will be the first active Bear to play a World Juniors game since Connor Carrick did in the 2014 World Juniors. Muggli has missed much of the first third of the season so far due to an upper body injury, but he is healthy now and is expected to play a major role for this years Swiss team.
• Cole Hutson, Defenseman, United States: Arguably the most talked about prospect of this group, Hutson is also the least likely to see any time in Hershey. The prospect currently playing his sophomore season at Boston University, and will come into this tournament as one of the most well-regarded players involved. Hutson ended up leading the tournament in points last year as an 18-year-old, putting up 11 points in 7 games, with 3 goals and 8 assists. So far this year, Hutson has put up 20 points in 18 games for BU, and is expected to head directly to Washington once he signs his ELC.
• Petr Sikora, Forward, Czech Republic: Sikora, a 2024 sixth round pick of the Capitals, was not as highly touted as some of the other draft picks in that class for the Capitals were, but has turned heads over the last 18 months. Sikora, a 6’0″ center, was a point per game player for the Czechs at last year’s World Junior tournament, and has been productive as a teenager in the Czech first division. That’s all to say that Sikora is an increasingly interesting prospect for the Capitals to have in their system, and one they may want to bring over to America to start off his career in Hershey sooner rather than later. He’s a playmaker with strong passing abilities, and a strong showcase at this years tournament could vault him up prospect ranking lists across the NHL.
• Maxim Schafer, Forward, Germany: You may remember my comments about Schafer, a 2025 3rd round pick by Washington, in my draft week recap from earlier this year. Schafer decided to take his shot in the CHL this season, and was a first round pick in the CHL’s import draft, where he was taken by the QJMHL’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens. After a slow start, Schafer has begun to impress in Canada, as he’s 8th on the Sagueneens in scoring and 5th on the team in goals with 23 points in 25 games, with 12 goals. Schafer will be one of the leaders on this year’s German team, as they look to avoid relegation out of the main bracket this season and stay with the top level.
• Milton Gastrin, Forward, Sweden: Another 2025 pick from the Capitals, this time in Swedish center Milton Gastrin. Gastrin, an 18 year old, is making his first WJC appearance this year on a Sweden team hoping to medal this tournament. Gastrin is playing for Swedish second division team MoDo, and has played well for an 18-year-old in his first year of non-junior hockey. He’s put up 18 points in 25 games so far for MoDo this season, with 8 goals and 10 assists. Gastrin is another highly regarded Capitals prospect who’s looking to leave his mark on this year’s tournament and is a future NHLer to watch.
• Nicholas Kempf, Goalie, United States: Kempf, a 19-year old goalie, has taken the full starter reigns this year for Notre Dame this season as a sophomore, after splitting starts last year as a freshman. Kempf is a well regarded goalie prospect for the Capitals as a 4th round pick in the 2024 draft, and is expected to take the reigns for the United States this tournament as their main goalie.