Carlos Handel and what we learned on Day 2 of the U18 Worlds

It’s not hard to ‘C’ the progress made by Carlos Handel.

Handel,  no. 86 in FCHockey’s Spring ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft, made a big leap joining Halifax of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League after finding success at the U18 and U20 levels in Sweden. The move paid dividends, as the blueliner scored 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 52 games.

He couldn’t be happier to be where he is now.

“Canada is like, they live hockey,” Handel said after a 4-3 overtime win against Czechia on Thursday. “It’s like soccer in Germany and it’s just amazing. Like, if you go to the mall, there’s little kids or fans who want your autograph or photos or something. It’s just amazing. It’s like being like little pros. It’s just junior hockey, but they look at you like a pro, so it’s just amazing. In Halifax we have the best fans in the league, I would say, and just an amazing crowd. It’s just amazing.” 

The feeling is likely mutual, as Handel is serving as a key piece for Germany at the 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship just one year after leading his country to promotion after the 2024 Under-18s Division 1A tournament. Handel had five points, all assists, in five games in the process.

He’s front and center again with the main group as Germany’s captain.

“Yeah, it’s amazing,” Handel said. “If you look at the players who were (captains) before, they’re great players who play in the NHL. I think they all had the ‘C’ before too, and it’s just amazing to represent my country.”

On top of being the captain of his squad, being a part of the top level of this tournament means the world to him — and to the team.

“We have a good group this year,” he said. “It’s the best tournament, with all the other players in our age group from every country come here to play against each other. It’s just very, very amazing to just prove what you can do against other teams and show what you can do for the scouts who watch here.”

Where does Handel get his inspiration from? Over the last few years, there have been many skilled defenders who have left a huge mark on the sport.

But Handel isn’t trying to be the next someone. He’s trying to be the first him.

“I try to play my own game. I want to be my own player,” Handel said. “Since I went to Canada, I think I improved my defensive game and I’m more two-way now. I’m more responsible in the defensive zone, and the offensive zone of course.” 

Don’t get Handel wrong.

He still keeps an eye on a few particular NHLers, with one obviously at the forefront.

“I look up to the skilled players in the NHL, like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes,” Handel said. “But… I think all the defensemen, if you ask them, Moritz Seider is the role model. He is the guy… the role model in Germany. He’s an amazing person, but also amazing on the ice.”

Top Performances

Adam Benak was a huge bright spot for the Czechs in a losing effort. He was excellent from start to finish, leading rushes and generating scoring chance after scoring chance — and finished with three helpers on the three goals for his side. 

Another Team USA win? Another standout performance for forward LJ Mooney. Mooney, the American player of the game in a 4-2 win against Czechia on Wednesday, was at it again on Wednesday in a lopsided 10-0 victory against Switzerland. The undersized. forward finished with three points (one goal, two assists) and about a dozen highlight-reel efforts.

Cole McKinney had himself a day, too. McKinney, who operates on both sides of special teams for Team USA, exited Thursday with three points (two goals, one assist), five shots, and an efficient 66.67% mark at the face-off dot.

It was a lopsided affair, yes, but that doesn’t diminish the impact or shine of Canadian forwards Brady Martin and Braeden Cootes. Cootes torched Slovakia for five points (two goals, three assists) in Canada’s tournament debut, and Martin inflicted his damage both physically and on the score sheet with three helpers in the 9-2 win. Cameron Schmidt and his three points (two goals, one assist) shouldn’t be slept on, either.

Quotables

“He’s bringing good energy every day. He’s just a good guy to have on our team, and a great leader.” – David Lewandowski on Handel.

Scouting report

“Melvin Novotny is a skilled two-way forward with good vision. He can deliver long, hard passes right on the tape in all three zones. He was strong in puck battles along the boards and for loose pucks in front of the net. I liked his willingness to take the puck to the net — sometimes using his strength to get there and other times trying to make a play and find a teammate in tight. He played in the bumper position on the power play and did a good job of being open for passes; when he got the chance, he showed a quick release on his shot. I thought his defensive positioning could be off at times, with him focusing too much on his defender at the blue line and forgetting to help in the more dangerous areas.” — FCHockey regional scout Linus Johnsson

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