The SIX Most Underrated Players at THE 2023 IIHF World Juniors

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The IIHF World Juniors are back! Once again this year, the tournament will be hosted in Canada, although we will take a trip east to the host cities of Moncton and Halifax. The tournament is highlighted by many superstars and high-end NHL draft picks like Shane Wright, Joakim Kemell, and even Connor Bedard. But here is a list composed of the six most underrated, least talked-about players:

1. Team Finland - Jani Nyman (Seattle Kraken)

With the graduating classes of Roni Hirvonen, Aatu Raty, and even Roby Jarventie provide opportunities for players such as Jani Nyman. Finland is a squad that will be deeply questioned as the tournament progresses, as it is uncertain if the team possesses high-end scoring.
 
Nyman was a Seattle draft pick during the 2022 NHL Draft, when the team selected him with the 49th overall selection in the second round. with the likes of Brad Lambert, Joakim Kemell, and Oliver Kapanen on the first line. It opens up an opportunity for Nyman to slot in as a second-line winger. Last night, during Finland's final tune-up game, the winger slotted in alongside Nikko Huuhtanen and Verner Miettinen. Nyman will also likely slot in on the second power play unit.
 
The Seattle prospect is a player who has a high goal-scoring ceiling, as he has found success at every level he has played at so far. Nyman is a confident player who likes to use his strong power skating to beat defenders. The forward is currently a member of Ilves in the Finnish League. As just an 18-year-old, the righty has put up an impressive ten points in 20 games.
The Finnish goal-scorer is set to play in his first World Juniors after competing in the U16s and U18s over the course of the past four seasons. Nyman is among many Finns that could return to next year's 2023 World Junior Classic, too.

2. Team Sweden - Jonathan Lekkerimäki (Vancouver Canucks)

Arguably, Team Sweden has one of the best, most dynamic forward groups in the entire tournament. The team features six first-round picks, as well as Fabian Wagner and Leo Carlsson, who have admitted to being among the top players eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft.
 
The Vancouver first-round pick will look to regain confidence after a poor start to his season with Djurgardens IF of the second Swedish pro league. Lekkerimäki has just one goal and four assists in 20 games. This is unheard of for an offensive talent who put up an astonishing nine points in the SHL as a 17-year-old.
Entering the tournament, the Canucks' prospects will play a limited role on the third line and second power play unit. But do not be surprised if this prospect ends up at the top of the depth charts by the end of the tournament. This summer, Lekkerimäki played a fourth-line role on Team Sweden at the 2022 World Junior Championship, notching three points in seven games.

3. Team Latvia - Dans Locmelis - Boston Bruins

Let's be real: no one is talking about Dans Locmelis. With Bruins' fans' main focal point being Fabian Lysell and Latvia's lack of exposure, people seem to forget about Locmelis' solid 2022 WJC performance. Locmelis was part of the Latvian squad that surpassed all odds of making the quarterfinals, where he played a top-six role, recording two points.
 
The University of Massachusetts commit is currently playing in the J20 National League in Sweden for Lulea HF. Locmelis has been a star so far this season, putting up 12 goals and 21 assists in 27 games, along with being named an assistant captain for his team.\.
The Bruins pick will once again be one of the top players on Team Latvia, alongside Florida pick, Sandis Vilmanis and Lightning prospect, Klavs Veinbergs.

4. Team Canada - Adam Fantilli - 2023 Draft Eligible

Seemingly all eyes will be on projected first-overall pick, Connor Bedard, but it is worthy pointing out that Adam Fantilli is a terrific player who has superstar potential in the future. Fantilli, a native of  Toronto, opted to take the NCAA route, with the Michigan Wolverines, rather than playing in the nearby OHL. The Michigan superstar is currently ranked as the second-best prospect in the upcoming draft.


Fantilli is nothing short of skilled and talented. Fantilli's NCAA season compares similar to Jack Eichel's Hobey Baker season back in 2015. The Toronto native has gotten off to a tremendous start, as he leads an already stacked team in points and assists. Fantilli has 11 goals and 15 assists in 16 games this season.

Quotes:

"There is no better stage to state his case to go first overall than with a strong showing at the WJC." - Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - Dec. 14th

"Path to stardom started as an underaged player in U16 hockey, continued through USHL Chicago and the pace hasn’t stopped as an NCAA freshman, where he has eight points in four games." - Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - Oct. 19th

Team USA - Sean Behrens - Colorado Avalanche

The USA is stacked with so many key offensive defensemen, with the likes of Luke Hughes, Lane Hudson, and Ryan Chesney. But on the defensive side, the team will rely on Sean Behrens, a Colorado Avalanche second-round pick. Behrens is expected to play in the top four, with plenty of penalty killing time.The Illinois native was also named assistant captain prior to the start of the tournament.
 
Behrens is a typical two-way defenseman who can play both the offensive and defensive sides of the game. He is a mobile, skilled skater who transitions the puck with ease while engaging physically.
 

This season, the left-handed defenseman is playing in his second season with the University of Denver. In 16 games, he has put up a solid one goal and seven assists.

Team Czechia - Filip Mesar - Montreal Canadiens

Filip Mesar is a player that does not receive the recognition he deserves, likely due to the fact that the Montreal Canadiens also selected Juraj Slafkovsky in the same draft. Mesar is a gifted offensive player who uses his speed and skill to beat goaltenders and defenders. Don't be surprised if Mesar is among the top leaders in points!
 
Team Czechia will be one of the most competitive teams in the entire tournament, and Mesar himself should serve as one of the leaders on the team. Czechia includes the likes of Jiri Kulich and Eduard Sale on offense, while the team also carries Columbus' sixth overall selection, David Jiricek, on defense.
 

Mesar has had a great start to the season already. Mesar was signed to an entry-level contract by the Habs after excelling in rookie and training camp.The Habs even gave the Czech native the opportunity to play in his first pro game at the AHL level to start the year.
 
The Habs' first-round pick is currently a member of the top-ranked Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. Mesar is among the leaders on his stacked team with ten goals and 12 assists in 17 games.
Location: Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada