The 2025 NHL Draft prospects will be under the spotlight at the World Juniors Championship.

This annual holiday tournament will showcase three of the top-ranked players on FCHockey’s Winter Draft rankings for the 2025 draft, including Matthew Schaefer, James Hagens, and Porter Martone. But that’s just the beginning.

A total of 13 players ranked in the top 100 by FCHockey will represent their countries, each bringing different skills and strengths to their teams. Fans and draft experts alike will be closely watching these future NHL stars during the tournament.

Matthew Schaefer | D | Canada | Winter Ranking: 1

“Matthew Schaefer’s skating ability and puck vision will play a crucial role for Canada, a rarity for an under-18 defenseman. His physicality allows him to handle older, stronger opponents, and he could seamlessly integrate into, or even elevate, Canada’s top power-play unit if given the opportunity.” Joseph Aleong, Regional Scout (Ontario)

James Hagens | F | USA | Winter Ranking: 2

“James Hagens is a key forward who controls the pace of play whenever he’s on the ice. With a strong U.S. team, Hagens has the ability to create high-level offensive chances, while his playmaking ability will generate opportunities throughout the tournament. Expected to play with his future Boston College teammates, Hagens may find strong chemistry that boosts his confidence and performance.” — Kyle Pereira, Regional Scout (USA)

Porter Martone | F | Canada | Winter Ranking: 3

“Porter Martone is a warrior who thrives in any situation. I love his versatility; he can both finish checks and become a real nuisance on the ice, all while showcasing his elite shooting and skill. While he may be deployed in a more checking role for Canada at the World Juniors, his adaptability allows him to move up and down the lineup when needed.” — Mike Kennedy, Regional Scout (Ontario)

Victor Eklund | F | Sweden | Winter Ranking: 5

“Victor Eklund is a fun player to watch. His aggressive playstyle stands out—he plays with energy, isn’t afraid to engage physically, and excels in dirty areas to create scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates. Eklund’s play is highly suited for the modern NHL, and while he may see limited ice time, expect him to be a key contributor to Sweden’s high-pressure offense.” — Samuel Tirpak, Head Scout (Europe)

Logan Hensler | D | USA | Winter Ranking: 9

“Logan Hensler is a polished defenseman with pro-size and skating ability. He moves the puck efficiently, primarily in breakouts and transitions, but has yet to translate that into offensive zone production. While his defensive skills are solid, the question is whether he can enhance his offensive game. Hensler may not log heavy minutes at the World Juniors, but he could emerge as one of the U.S. team’s most reliable defensemen in critical situations.” — Jacob Roth, Regional Scout (USA)

Tomas Pobezal | F | Slovakia | Winter Ranking: 18

“I appreciate Tomas Pobezal’s approach to the game. He consistently makes the right decisions and creates opportunities with his quick plays. He’s extremely versatile and plays in all situations, with the ability to dominate the game at a professional level. Pobezal will likely serve as Slovakia’s second-line center and be a key presence on their penalty kill and power play.” — Samuel Tirpak, Head Scout (Europe)

Luka Radivojevic | D | Slovakia | Winter Ranking: 44

“Luka Radivojevic is a small, skilled defenseman who excels at moving the puck and controlling the game in transition. While his size is a concern, he’s an attacking threat with his excellent puck skills. Slovakia may limit his defensive responsibilities, focusing on his offensive strengths, where he can be their most effective puck-moving defenseman.” — Samuel Tirpak, Head Scout (Europe)

Jack Ivankovic | G | Canada | Winter Ranking: 48

“Jack Ivankovic’s ability to move and play bigger than his size makes him an intriguing goalie prospect. He plays aggressively and works hard to steal space from shooters. While his playing time at the World Juniors may be limited, a couple of games against weaker teams could give him a chance to showcase his skills.” — David Phillips, Head Goaltending Scout

Vojtech Cihar | F | Czech Republic | Winter Ranking: 53

“Vojtech Cihar is a typical speedy winger who plays an aggressive style, getting to the net and looking to be a solid supporting piece at the professional level. His role with the Czech team reflects his detailed and stable approach to the game, and he’ll likely be a key contributor in puck battles, playmaking, and supporting his more skilled teammates.” — Samuel Tirpak, Head Scout (Europe)

Carlos Handel | D | Germany | Winter Ranking: 74

“Carlos Handel is a versatile two-way defenseman who plays a simple yet effective game. He’s calm in breakouts and defensively steady, using his stick and positional awareness to disrupt plays. While Germany may not be a top contender, Handel could be one of their standout players.” — Joey Fortin Boulay, Head Scout (Quebec)

Michal Pradel | G | Slovakia | Winter Ranking: 77

“Michal Pradel’s size and positioning make him difficult to beat on his first save. I’m excited to see how he handles rebounds and how his puck-tracking has improved since the Hlinka tournament.” — David Phillips, Head Goaltending Scout

David Lewandowski | F | Germany | Winter Ranking: 84

“David Lewandowski is not the strongest skater, but his hands and hockey IQ are impressive. Playing on a German team that may struggle against top competition, he will play an important role and could stand out despite limited opportunities.” — Kareem Elshafey, Regional Scout (Western Canada)

Elijah Neuenschwander | G | Switzerland | Winter Ranking: 94

“Elijah Neuenschwander’s calm movements and excellent puck-tracking ability make him a standout goalie. His ability to find the puck through traffic is exceptional, and I look forward to seeing how his game has developed at the World Juniors.” — David Phillips, Head Goaltending Scout

These are the exciting young talents to watch as they shine at the World Juniors and set the stage for their 2025 NHL Draft journeys.