2023 World Juniors: Top 5 undrafted standouts
Edmonton, AB - August 17, 2022: Czechia goaltender Tomas Suchanek celebrates during a game between USA and Czechia at the World Junior Championship at Rogers Place.
With the preliminary round of the World Junior Championship finally complete, the real action is about to begin. Austria and Latvia are set for the relegation round in hopes of heading to Sweden in 2024. That’s a three-game series, with every other matchup set to single-game elimination playoff battles.
As always, the biggest focus at the WJC is watching the top NHL-drafted prospects do battle. It’s the first time that many are being exposed on the national stage. There are also all the high-end quality 2023 prospects, like Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson. But there are also those looking to get selected after getting passed over before. Some didn’t make it through the 2022 round, while others are looking for a final shot after going undrafted in 2021. These five players in particular stood out during the preliminary round and will be ones to watch going forward:After stealing the show with a great second-half effort in August, Suchanek is once again showing why he’s one of the best goalies in the tournament.