Sweden won the 2026 World Junior Championship, ending a 45-year gold drought, with Czechia's Vojtech Cihar earning MVP honors. Canada secured bronze, and standout performances by players like Gavin McKenna and Tomas Chrenko boosted their draft stocks. The tournament showcased international competitiveness and set the stage for the 2027 WJC in Alberta.
NHL.com writers predict Canada will win the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota, marking their first gold since 2023, with Canada, Sweden, and Czechia as top contenders and Gavin McKenna highlighted as the top draft prospect.
The Chicago Blackhawks traded forward Lukas Reichel, a former first-round pick, to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, marking a significant roster move for both teams.
Gavin McKenna, a top-rated prospect and projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, has earned an A rating on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary watch list, highlighting his potential as a first-round pick. The list features draft-eligible players from North America and Europe, with McKenna standing out as a highly skilled and intelligent player making an impressive transition to NCAA hockey from the WHL.
The San Jose Sharks acquired goaltender Carey Price from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Gannon LaRocque and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick, adding a highly decorated veteran to their roster while trading away a young player with injury history.
The article covers the second day of the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase, highlighting key stories such as Matthew Schaefer's return from injury, US prospects Mooney and Koivu's ambitions, and the Bjorck brothers' experience playing together for Sweden, all as part of the efforts to finalize rosters for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
The Buffalo Sabres, likely to finish near the bottom of the league this season, are positioned to potentially draft Gavin McKenna, a highly-touted young talent from Whitehorse, in the 2026 NHL Draft, which could be a franchise-changing move. Fans may even start rooting against their own team to secure a top pick, reminiscent of past tanking strategies.
Michigan State hockey star Isaac Howard, the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner, has signed a three-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers after being traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning, choosing to start his professional career instead of returning to college.
Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2026 NHL draft and a highly celebrated prospect, has committed to Penn State University, marking a significant development in college hockey and benefiting from recent rule changes allowing CHL players to join NCAA teams. McKenna, a talented winger with a remarkable scoring record, received a record NIL offer from Penn State, which also attracted other top recruits, strengthening the program's future prospects.
Gavin McKenna, a highly touted 17-year-old hockey prospect projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, will announce his NCAA college choice between Michigan State and Penn State on ESPN's 'SportsCenter,' with both schools eager to secure his talent.
The Penguins' 2025 development camp showcased several promising prospects, with standout performances from Harrison Brunicke and Will Horcoff, while others like Ben Kindel and Gabriel D’Aigle showed areas for growth. The camp provided valuable insights into the prospects' skills and potential, highlighting a mix of immediate impact players and those needing further development, as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
The Penguins' summer development camp showcased their prospects' skills, with notable performances from first-round picks like Horcoff and others demonstrating the team's focus on building size, compete level, and skill for the future, amidst spirited drills and battles.
Matthew Schaefer, the top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, made his debut for the New York Islanders in front of a sold-out crowd, marking his return to hockey after recovering from a collarbone injury, and showcased his skating and passing skills in a scrimmage, despite his team losing 4-0.
Michael Misa, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, is attending the Sharks' development camp to prove himself and earn a spot in the NHL, learning from former NHL players and aiming to make a strong impression.
The New York Rangers traded K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Scott Morrow, along with a first-round and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Morrow, a 22-year-old defenseman, has shown promising performance in the AHL and NHL, and was a second-round pick in 2021.