World Juniors: Sandin-Pellikka, Hagens Shine on Opening Day
The World Junior Championship kicks off with standout performances from young talents like Sandin-Pellikka and Hagens, impressing fans and scouts alike
World Juniors, Canada, Sweden, USA, Hockey, 2025 NHL Draft
Montreal: The 2025 World Juniors are in full swing, and wow, what a start! Day one was packed with excitement and some incredible performances.
You know how first impressions can stick with you? Well, this opening day definitely left a mark. The games were thrilling, and a few players really stood out.
Canada, the USA, Sweden, and Czechia came in as the teams to watch, and they didn’t disappoint. Finland, usually part of that elite group, struggled against Canada, losing 4-0. They played well defensively but just couldn’t crack the Canadian lineup.
Sweden had a solid win over Slovakia, taking it 5-2, while the USA crushed Germany 10-4, and Czechia beat Switzerland 5-1. It looks like these four teams are on a collision course for the semifinals.
One player to keep an eye on is Axel Sandin-Pellikka. He was last year’s top defenseman and came out swinging against Slovakia, scoring a hat trick and adding an assist. At just 19, he’s already making waves as the SHL’s leading scorer from the blue line.
Then there’s James Hagens, the top prospect for the 2025 NHL draft. He had a fantastic game, racking up four points and reminding everyone why he’s in the conversation for the first overall pick.
Canada’s youth also shone bright. Gavin McKenna, just 17, opened the scoring, and Matthew Schaefer, also 17, closed it out. Both are potential top picks in the upcoming drafts, with McKenna already a favorite for 2026.
McKenna was a constant threat, setting up plays and showing off his skills. Schaefer, the standout defender, contributed with a goal and an assist, including helping McKenna score the first goal. Even though his goal was an empty-netter, it was great to see him shine in his debut.