The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few prospects eligible to play in the 2023 World Junior Championships which will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick starting on December 26th, 2022.
Last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs saw prospects Matthew Knies suit up for Team USA and Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela play for Finland. After winning every game in the preliminary round, USA was upset by Czechia in the quarter finals while Finland won the silver metal after taking Canada to overtime in the gold medal game.
In Finland’s seven games, Roni Hirvonen had seven points and Niemela had six points. Knies had three points in five games. All three players have aged out and are ineligible for this year’s tournament. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)
This year, there are no Leafs prospects guaranteed a spot in the tournament, but there are a couple with a great chance to represent their countries.
World Juniors Predictions for Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects
Ty Voit probably has the best chance of any Leafs prospect at playing in this year’s World Juniors. He was invited to USA’s camp in the summer and currently leads the OHL in points with 30 points in 16 games.
Fraser Minten was a late cut from last summer’s makeup tournament after getting an invite to Canada’s camp. With many player’s aging out from the 2022 tournament, he will have a good shot at making it this year.
Minten’s injury to start the season might slightly hamper his chances at making the team, but he has 3 goals and 11 points in 7 WHL games since returning.
Braeden Kressler is an interesting prospect. He was undrafted but signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an 18 year old after the 2021 NHL draft.
Kressler may be a long shot to join Team Canada, but he’s had a hot start with 8 goals and 12 points in 8 OHL games after starting the season hurt. Leading the OHL in goals per game might be enough to at least get him a look.
Nick Moldenhauer is another long shot to make Team Canada, but he is leading the USHL in goals and is second in points right now with 10 goals and 18 points in 13 games. He definitely deserves an invite to camp, but if he doesn’t make the team this year, he’s eligible for the 2024 tournament as well.
Brandon Lisowsky is having a great season so far with 8 goals and 18 points in 16 WHL games, but it doesn’t seem good enough to garner much interest for Team Canada. If he continues to progress, he’ll have a better shot at making the team the year.