Urheilu’s expert Topi Nättinen says that three names in particular should be remembered in the upcoming World Youth Championships: James Hagens of the United States, Gavin McKenna of Canada and Axel Sandin Pellikka of Sweden.
– James Hagens of the United States is really the number one reservation for next summer, according to many experts and at the top of many lists.
– Canada, on the other hand, has 17-year-old Gavin McKenna, who cannot be reserved even for next summer.
Both of the above scored more than 20 points at the Under-18 World Championships last spring in Espoo. Hagens won the points exchange of the tournament, with a whopping 22 power points in seven matches.
– They are by far the hottest names in the upcoming youth competitions. If we look at our western neighbor, Sweden, you could almost say that Axel Sandin Pellika is a player ready for the NHL. Was able to play in the SHL after a really strong autumn.
The 19-year-old Swedish defender has scored 22 points in 25 games for the Skellefteå team this season. It’s a tough balance from a young defender in a demanding league. For comparison, you can take one of Sweden’s best attacking defenders of all time, Erik Karlsson, who at the same age scored 10 points in 45 matches in the Swedish league.
Canada has several first-round picks on its team.
– All the unbooked players who are on the Canadian team will probably be the same ones who are still booked in the first round, Nättinen sees.
– The equivalent in Sweden is five and in Finland two players, Nättinen adds.
Konsta Helenius and Emil Hemming are the first-round reservations from Finland’s current team to the NHL. Helenius is the 14th pick of the Buffalo Sabers last summer, and Hemming is the 29th pick of the Dallas Stars.