The Toronto Maple Leafs have had an up-and-down historical showing at the annual World Junior Hockey Championship. There have been periods where the club has very little representation at the tournament, and there have been times where Leafs prospects are shining.
In recent memory, prospects Topi Niemela and Rasmus Sandin captured the 2021 and 2020 Best Defenceman honours, respectively. As well, in 2006 top goaltending prospect Tuukka Rask won the best goaltender award while as a member of the Maple Leafs franchise.
Last year, the Leafs boasted two members of their franchise participating for Canada; forwards Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan. The year before there were none, which was the first time in decades since that was the case.
Usually, if a team has a high number of prospects participating in this tournament, it can be seen as a good sign for the health of their pool.
Although, there are plenty of nations icing teams every year that have very few NHL-affiliated players in their ranks, meaning almost any drafted prospect that is eligible is all but guaranteed a spot.
As of right now, there are a few Maple Leafs prospects that seem to be locks to represent their nation at the annual holiday tournament and a few more that at least seem to have a shot.