The top 2024 NHL Draft eligibles to watch at the World U18s
The 2024 World U18s are upon us.
The IIHF tournament, held this year
The tournament will be held from April 25-May 5, in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland, will serve as one of the final on-ice evaluation tools scouts will have to draw from before drawing up their final lists for the 2024 NHL Draft. The 2024 World U18s opens up a door of opportunity for many young players, and especially those who are looking towards being drafted this summer into the NHL.
Here are a few key NHL Draft eligibles to keep an eye on:
Kamil Bednarik | F | Team USA
Kamil Bednarik, a player who comes in at No. 52, on FCHockey’s Midterm ranking for the 2024 draft, is an underrated prospect, and one who could use the 2024 World U18s as a springboard into more exposure. Bednarik, a Boston University commit, scored 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) in 54 games with the US National Team Development Program. He is an extremely smart forward, both with and without the puck. He’s able to find soft spots in defensive coverages to put himself in excellent scoring positions. Bednarik plays hard, hounding pucks and forcing the opposition into mistakes with consistency. Plus, when he is in a tight spot, he has the raw skill to find a way out of it. With all eyes on him and his Team USA teammates, Bednarik could show a dynamism to his game that has yet to be seen. Pay attention.
Trevor Connelly | F | Team USA
Trevor Connelly may be one of the most exciting prospects in the class. It may be hard for him to truly earn a very high draft grade due to some off-ice concerns, but on the ice he’s just a lightning bolt. He plays fast, constantly looking to create dangerous scoring chances. That flashy style comes at a cost, and it often leads to turnovers. Connelly, who had 78 points (31 goals, 47 assists) in 52 games for the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League this season, can be just as frustrating as he is exciting. Still, he is well worth the closer look at the 2024 World U18s.
Cole Eiserman | F | Team USA
There are few prospects in the 2024 draft class are as polarizing as Cole Eiserman. Coming into the season, he was expected to be one of the few players capable of challenging Macklin Celebrini for the No. 1 spot. He went on to have a goal-per-game season with the NTDP — a phenomenal feat for a player many consider the best goal-scorer in the draft. Yet, he has fallen out of favor in the scouting sphere, dropping outside of even the top-10 slots on many boards. He should be coming into the 2024 World U18s ready to prove that people have it wrong and that he is truly a top-end talent. He’s already had success in international play before, to the tune of 11 points (nine goals, two assists) in seven games at last year’s tournament. Be ready for him to dominate again.
Liam Greentree | F | Canada
Liam Greentree is a good-sized player who was placed No. 14 in FCHockey’s Midterm ranking. He does not make very many mistakes with the puck on his stick and possesses a heavy shot. He’s a leader for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League too, already wearing the ‘C’ on his sweater. That leadership, alongside his size and production at 90 points (36 goals, 54 assists) in 64 games, will make him a key piece for Canada. While he may not be as exciting at some in the tournament, he is just as — if not more — effective. Expect him to play a big role for in this tournament.
Konsta Helenius | F | Finland
Konsta Helenius has been nothing short of impressive this season. Playing against men in Liiga — the top Finnish league — the 17-year-old was very productive with with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 51 games, while also being a point-per-game performer in the playoffs with six points (two goals, four assists) in six games. Helenius has achieved impressive production without risking defensive responsibility. He is a very smart two-way forward who takes what the defense gives him and hardly makes the wrong decision. He’ll play a crucial role for the hosts while simultaneously building his resume as a potential top-5 selection. Currently, Helenius is slotted in at No. 4 on FCHockey’s big board.
Tij Iginla | F | Canada
Everyone knows Tij Iginla. His hockey bloodlines are well known and has been discussed plenty. But Iginla is looking to carve his own unique path, and his unrelenting style of play will allow him to stand out. He’s a great skater with strong transitional skills. That ability will likely lend its hand to a lot of responsibility as a primary puck-mover into the offensive zone. His stickhandling prowess and balanced multi-dimensional offensive abilities will allow him to stand out as a potential high-end producer. This tournament could help Iginla solidify himself as a legitimate top-10 prospect in this class, and his pace and style at the biggest stage will make him one of the most electrifying players to watch on a team under a microscope.
Aron Kiviharju | D | Finland
There are very few prospects who could gain much more from a strong tournament than Aron Kiviharju. The undersized defender missed out on a lot of games, finishing with just two points (one goal and one assist) in seven total league games in Liiga before sustaining an injury in the fall. On top of those league contests, he played six international games at the U18 level and two at the U20 level, combining for five points (one goal and four assists) in those contests. But, for years, there has been hype surrounding Kiviharju, and now that he is back and healthy he should be plenty motivated to re-solidify his standing as a first-round candidate. A strong tournament will go a long way come draft day.
Henry Mews | D | Canada
Henry Mews is going to be a ton of fun to watch. He’s constantly around the puck, always at the center of a play, and looking to make things happen. He really shines through with his innate ability to evade forecheckers and push the pace of play up ice. His shots from the point find ways to get to the net, making him a threat from the top. Additionally, Mews plays very aggressive at both blue lines — whether it’s holding the offensive blue line or defending an entry against. That makes him a player that could generate a lot of positive plays with excitement or a player that makes fans want to tear the hair off their heads. By all intents and purposes, a player to keep an eye on because he will be very fun to watch.
Leon Muggli |D | Switzerland
If Switzerland wants to make noise, they are going to have to rely on their best players. Leon Muggli is amongst them, and will likely play a key role for the Swiss on the back end. Muggli, No. 29 at FCHockey, plays with a good pace and understanding of the play around him. While he can run into issues when under pressure, he is a reliable transporter of the puck and picks his spots to step up into the play offensively to help create chances. He’s also really effective when defending the rush, not shying away from the physical side of the game when necessary and maintaining a tight gap to keep plays away from the middle. He will have to be a difference-maker for Switzerland to go on a run. Expect him to make plays for his country.