The following is an alphabetical team-by-team breakdown of NHL prospects at this year’s World Championship, and their respective performances. I noted in particular the impressive performance of Norway in its semifinals appearance, which was fueled primarily by its young players.
AUSTRIA
Forward Vinzenz Rohrer (MTL), 9/9/04: The smallish (5’10”) but surprisingly physical Rohrer posted 3 goals and 4 points and a +2 player rating in 6 games, and helped the Austrians secure a spot in the top division for 2027. Rohrer moved from the Swiss pro league to Laval late in 2025-26, and recorded two points (1G 1A) in one regular season game with the Rocket. He also had one assist in 5 playoff games with Laval.
D-man Thimo Nickl (ANA), 12/4/01: The rangy, smooth-skating defender posted 6 points (2G 4A) in 7 games and logged almost 18 minutes of ice time per night, and was Austria’s key shutdown d-man in the tournament.
Forward Leon Kolarik (2026 draft-eligible, #182 ranking), 9/23/07: The Peterborough Petes’ forward had two assists in 7 games this tournament. This follows up a 41-point OHL regular season (19G 22A) with the Petes.
CANADA
Goaltender Jack Ivankovic (NSH), 5/22/07: Serving in a backup role for Team Canada after leading the University of Michigan to the #1 college hockey ranking this past season, Ivankovic did not play in this tournament. He will return to U of M in 2026-27 for his sophomore season.
Forward Porter Martone (PHI), 10/26/06: Most likely already established as an NHL player, I have listed him as a prospect for tracking purposes. As a late add after Philly’s playoff run, Martone registered 5 points (1G 4A) in his first three games to help the Canadians advance to the medal round. He played all nine games in the tournament for Canada.
CZECHIA
Forward Matyas Melovsky (NJD), 5/25/04: Melovsky recorded two assists in 8 games for Czechia, following his first pro season in which he managed 26 points (10G 16A) in 55 games for Utica in the AHL. He is viewed as being among the top 10-15 prospects in the Devils’ system, and is lauded for his elite playmaking ability.
D-man Marek Alscher (FLA), 4/7/03: A rangy (6’3″) defender with pro-level stick-on-puck D skills, Alscher registered two goals in eight tournament games, and averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game against top-6 opponents.
Forward Jaroslav Chmelar (NYR), 7/20/03: Chmelar had a goal and an assist in 8 games for the Czechs following a 28-game stint with the Rangers in 2025-26. He is expected to win a roster spot in New York out of the 2026-27 training camp.
D-man Tomas Cibulka (EDM), 4/2/04: Cibulka registered two assists and a player rating of +1 in 7 games for Czechia, and recently signed an entry-level contract with the Oilers through the 2027-28 campaign.
D-man Tomas Galvas (2026 draft-eligible, 71st-ranked international skater), 2/11/06: Galvas recorded one assist in eight games, and logged a very impressive 20+ minutes of ice time per game for Czechia. This follows up a silver-medal winning performance at the 2026 World Junior Championship for Galvas, where he was named to the tournament’s all-star team by tallying 9 points (3G 6A) in 7 games.
FINLAND
D-man Ville Heinola (WPG), 3/2/01: Heinola had 6 points (3G 3A) in 10 games for the Finns. He is expected to compete for a Jets’ roster spot out of camp in 2026-27.
Forward Lenni Hameeanaho (NJD), 11/7/04: The Devils’ prospect tallied 8 points (3G 5A) in 10 games, and will compete for a roster spot this coming season.
Forward Konsta Helenius (BUF), 5/11/06: Helnius had 6 points (3G 3A) in 6 games for Finland, including the gold medal-winner. This followed up a point-per-game season with Rochester and a two-goal effort in the NHL playoffs. He is expected to be with the Sabres when they break camp in 2026-27.
GERMANY
Forward Josh Samanski (EDM), 3/22/02: Samanski was a point-per-game performer for the Germans, with 7 points (2G 5A) in 7 games. He played in 24 contests with Edmonton this past season, and is expected to be with the Oilers right out of camp in 2026-27.
D-man Phillip Sinn (SJS), 1/13/04: Sinn played in 5 games for Germany in a limited role, averaging roughly 11 minutes of ice time per night. For his efforts, Sinn recently signed an entry-level contract with the Sharks. He is expected to begin the season in the AHL with the Barracuda.
HUNGARY
Forward Domán Kristóf Szongoth (40th-ranked international skater for 2026 draft), 7/8/08: Szongoth had one goal in seven games, and provided a strong physical presence as a 17-year-old. He will play for KooKoo U20 in Finland’s top junior league in 2026-27, where he had 28 points (10G 18A) in 44 games this past season.
ITALY
Goaltender Damian Clara (ANA), 1/13/05: Clara played in 3 games for the Italians, posting a .921 save percentage and 3.35 goals against average. He is expected to begin the season in San Diego of the AHL.
LATVIA
D-man Alberts Smits (2nd-ranked 2026 draft prospect among international skaters), 12/2/07: Smits had 4 assists in 8 games for the Latvians, and averaged nearly 22 minutes of ice time per night. He is widely considered a top-5 d-man prospect in the upcoming draft, and will play for Jukurit in Liiga in 2026-27.
Forward Olivers Murnieks (98th-ranked 2026 draft prospect among North American skaters), 7/31/08: Murnieks had 4 points (1G 3A) in 5 games, and will play for Saint John in the QMJHL this season.
Forward Sandis Vilmanis (FLA), 1/23/04: Vilmanis finished tied for fifth in scoring with 11 points (4G 7A). He is expected to compete for a roster spot in Florida to begin 2026-27.
NORWAY
Forward Noah Steen (TBL), 8/16/04: Steen currently is tied with Latvia’s Rudolfs Balcers for the tournament lead in goals (7). He is expected to begin the 2026-27 season with Syracuse in the AHL.
Forward Mikkel Eriksen (NYR), 9/13/07: Eriksen did not record a point in 6 games, and averaged roughly 10 minutes of ice time per night in a very limited role. The 2025 4th-rounder will begin 2026-27 in Farjestad BK of the SHL.
Forward Michael Brandsdegg-Nygard (DET), 10/05/05: Brandsdegg-Nygard had 6 points (3G 3A) in 5 games. He is expected to compete for a roster spot in Detroit out of training camp in 2026-27.
Forward Tinus Luc Koblar (TOR), 7/21/07: Koblar finished tied for second-most tournament goals (6). He will begin the 2026-27 season with Rogle BK in the SHL.
D-man Stian Solberg (ANA), 12/29/05: Solberg registered two points (1G 1A) and a +5 player rating in 10 games, in a shut-down role. The 2nd-ranked prospect in the Ducks’ system will begin the 2026-27 season in San Diego of the AHL.
SLOVAKIA
D-man Viliam Kmec (VGK), 1/2/04: Kmec had a goal and an assist in 7 games, and logged over 20 minutes of ice time per night. He will begin the 2026-27 season in Henderson of the AHL.
D-man Maxim Strbak (BUF), 4/13/05: Strbak had one assist in 7 games for Slovakia in almost 24 minutes of ice time per night. He will begin his first full pro season in Rochester of the AHL in 2026-27.
Forward Filip Mesar (MTL), 1/3/04: The former 1st-rounder had 3 points (1G 2A) for Slovakia, and is expected to begin the 2026-27 season in Laval of the AHL.
Forward Adam Sykora (NYR), 9/7/04: Sykora had one assist in 7 games for Slovakia, and is expected to compete for a roster spot with the Rangers in 2026-27.
D-man Luka Radivojevic (215th-ranked prospect among North American skaters in the 2026 draft), 1/3/07: Radivojevic had one assist in 7 games, and will compete for Boston College of the NCAA in 2026-27.
Goaltender Adam Gajan (CHI), 5/6/04: Gajan was 2-0-0 in the two tournament games he played, with an .894 save percentage. He will begin 2026-27 in Rockford of the AHL after leading the University of Minnesota-Duluth to a Frozen Four appearance.
Forward Martin Chromiak (LAK), 8/20/02: Chromiak had 6 points (4G 2A) for the Slovaks, after a career high in goals and points (28G 28A) for Ontario in the AHL. He is expected to begin 2026-27 back in Ontario.
SWEDEN
Forward Jack Berglund (PHI), 4/10/06: Berglund, who recently signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers, had 4 assists in 8 games. He is expected to begin 2026-27 in Farjestad BK of the SHL.
Forward Anton Frondell (CHI), 5/7/07: Frondell managed 3 points (1G 2A) in 4 games, despite suffering a minor hand injury. He will be with the Blackhawks to stay next season.
Forward Ivar Stenberg (1st-ranked international skater in 2026 draft), 9/30/07: Stenberg had 8 points (4G 4A) in 8 games to follow up an SHL season in which he had the 5th-most points in history by a draft-eligible player in that league. He will be in the NHL next season.
Forward Viggo Bjorck (4th-ranked international skater in 2026 draft), 3/12/08: Bjorck had 6 points (1G 5A) in 8 games, and is a nearly unanimous top 10 draft pick this summer.
Goaltender Love Harenstam (STL), 1/18/07: Serving as a backup in this tournament, Harenstam did not play. He posted a .920 save percentage for Sodertalje SK in HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden’s 2nd-tier pro league) this past season, and will return there in 2026-27.
SWITZERLAND
Forward Simon Knak (NSH), 1/27/02: Knak had 5 points (2G 3A) in 10 games, and continues to play professionally in Switzerland.
UNITED STATES
D-man Ryan Ufko (NSH), 5/7/03: Ufko had 3 points (1G 2A) in 8 games, and averaged roughly 15 minutes of ice-time per night. Ufko had an 18-game stint in Nashville last season, but is projected to begin 2026-27 in Milwaukee.
Forward James Hagens (BOS), 11/3/06: Hagens had one assist in 7 games, and averaged just over 12 minutes of ice-time per night. He is projected to begin the 2026-27 season in Providence.
Forward Oliver Moore (CHI), 1/22/04: Moore had three assists in 8 games, playing 12 to 16 minutes per night. After a fairly successful 51-game stint with the Hawks this past season, he appears to be in Chicago to stay.
Forward Isaac Howard (EDM), 3/30/04: Howard registered 4 points (3G 1A) in 8 games, and projects to begin the season in Bakersfield of the AHL.
Forward Max Plante (DET), 2/20/06: Plante had one goal in 6 games, and will return to the University of Minnesota-Duluth for his junior season after winning the Hobey Baker Award in 2025-26.
Goaltender Drew Commesso (CHI), 7/19/02: Serving in a backup role, Commesso did not play. He is projected to start 2026-27 in Rockford of the AHL.
Forward Danny Nelson (NYI), 8/3/05: Nelson registered one assist in 7 games, and is projected to return to the University of Notre Dame.