Eight talented young prospects have brought the heat at the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship. Seven of the eight moved on as the final four, and four of them belong to our home country of America. The New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, and New York Islanders are definitely keeping a lookout on these prospects who have come to the tournament with a lot to prove.
The New Jersey Devils are definitely a fan of the World Junior Championships, last year acquiring Pick #46 from the University of Michigan, Seamus Casey. Casey played for Michigan for two years before making his World Junior Hockey debut in 2023. After playing for both the Utica Comets (AHL), and eventually making his way up to the National League, he scored his first goal with the Devils against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 6, 2024.
Despite success in previous years, the Devils only have eyes on one player this season. This player is a particular Swede by the name of Herman Träff (Daily Face Off).
19-year-old Träff was born in 2005, in Växjö, Sweden. After being drafted by New Jersey in the third round of the 2024 National Hockey League Draft, Träff has had some high expectations to live up to. Categorized as a heavy shooter, physical and two-way forward, #88 has a lot under his belt. Standing at six-foot three, 216 pounds, he uses both his size and skills to assert his dominance on the ice (Elite Prospects). Continuing on in the 2025 World Junior Championships, this isn’t all we have to see from him. With already six points in the previous 10 games, we’re sure to see Träff deliver in the final four.
The Devils aren’t the only team keeping up with this intense tournament. The New York Rangers have been watching D Drew Fortescue and RW Gabe Perreault from the USA, as well as LW Rico Gredig from Switzerland (Daily Face Off).
Seemingly having an eye on the boys from Boston College, both Perreault and Fortescue are in the middle of their NCAA College Hockey seasons with the Eagles. Perreault has already earned himself two goals and five assists within his last five games, also being considered as an offensive forward, playmaker, and a sniper. Similarly, teammate Fortescue has been described as having a quarterback-like approach, being quick with his passes both on defense and in the offensive zone. After both being drafted in the 2023 Draft, the Rangers are sure to utilize them and their experience as soon as they finish their education, and their career as Eagles (Elite Prospects).
Swiss Rico Gredig had also left his mark on World Juniors before being eliminated by USA in the quarterfinal round. Gredig was drafted this previous year in the sixth round by New York, and when summarized in one word, he was considered a “speedster.” The lefty 19-year-old was not able to showcase all his talent at World Juniors, but there is much more to come from him in both Swiss hockey as well as his future with the New York Rangers (Elite Prospects).
The New York Islanders must’ve been beyond exhilarated when the World Junior Championships Rosters were released. With two prospects apart from Team USA, one from Sweden, and one from Finland, the Islanders are in for a treat this tournament. As four of their prospects advance in the tournament, it is crucial to highlight what makes these players so special (Daily Face Off).
Soon facing off against future teammate Marcus Gidlöf of Sweden, Finnish Jesse Nurmi hasn’t given thought to showing mercy on anyone all week. With two goals and two assists in only his last five games, it does not take much to get Nurmi heated. Small but mighty, the 5 ’11 LW was born in 2005, and has been playing for Finland since 2022. Nurmi was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft, and is considered a player who holds one of the most important traits of any athlete, hustle. #44 for Finland is claimed to have great off-puck instincts, spacing, timing and drive. This alone makes him a force on the ice. Watch out, because Nurmi is coming for blood this week (Elite Prospects).
Previously mentioned, Marcus Gidlöf, is the starting goalie for Sweden. To begin, Gidlöf has been a complete brick wall this past week. With a save percentage of 93.75% within the last 5 games, almost nothing has gotten past Gidlöf, ultimately leading Sweden to the final four. Standing at a whopping 6-foot-6, most opponents face more than one challenge when (attempting) to face him. Born and raised in Falun, Sweden, Gidlöf likely has hockey in his DNA. As he continues throughout the tournament, only time can tell how truly unstoppable Marcus Gidlöf will be (Elite Prospects).
Team USA players Cole Eiserman, and Danny Nelson were put to the test last week. Eiserman of Boston University and Nelson from Notre Dame have come to help the US bring home what they came for. Nelson was born in Minnesota, where many of the greats were raised, and is currently in the middle of his second season with the Fighting Irish. Throughout the tournament he has already racked up 10 points within 10 games. Nelson is both aggressive and controlled, which is a very rare combination to see nowadays, and makes him a key part of USA’s success. Similarly, Cole Eiserman is a freshman at Boston University. Eiserman has his eyes on the prize, a shiny gold medal from World Juniors to adorn his dormitory in Boston, alongside his U18 WJC gold and silver medals. He is from Massachusetts and has already earned his team ten points throughout his previous ten games. With a quick release and a physicality to him, Eiserman is a key component to the USA (Elite Prospects).
As the eight young prospects continue through the 2025 World Junior Championship, we will see who may persist and who may begin to perish. All that is known so far, the tri-state will be coming home with an abundance of prospects with bounds of experience, and who knows, maybe a medal to accompany it?
