Congratulations to Team USA (gold), Team Sweden (silver), and Team Canada West (bronze) on their medal-winning performances at this year’s World Jr. A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta. Continuing with their theme of scoring by committee, goals by six different Team USA players bolstered their 7-4 victory over Sweden in the gold-medal game – two by Will Zellers, and one apiece by Lucas Van Vliet, Ryan Rucinski, Finn McLaughlin, John Stout, and Luke Osburn. In the bronze medal game, Team Canada West avenged a loss in the preliminaries to Team Canada East to secure a 5-2 victory against their countrymen.
Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg, a 2026 draft-eligible player, was the tournament points leader. Stenberg tallied 11 points (7G 4A) in 5 games, and Team USA forward & Michigan State University commit Van Vliet finished second with 10 points (3G 7A). The leading Canadian scorer was Team Canada East’s Brett Arsenault with 4 points (2G 2A).
Based upon what I have seen at this tournament, as well as the CHL USA Prospects Challenge several weeks ago, these countries will field outstanding world junior teams next season (with respect to Team Canada, this season as well with the presence of Matthew Schaefer & Porter Martone on its roster).