With the 2025 World Junior Championships underway, there are a few players on Team Canada that I want to highlight as players to watch. Team Canada is full of very talented players this year, but I think these are a few that will really break out during this tournament.
Related: A Quick Guide to the 2025 World Junior Championship
Berkly Catton
Berkly Catton was the Seattle Kraken’s 8th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He is an 18-year-old puck-rushing forward who currently plays with the Spoken Chiefs. Throughout the 2024-25 season, he holds 47 points over 28 games (14G, 33A). He was named the captain of the Chiefs following his draft to the Kraken.
Catton is returning to Team Canada, where he last played in the U-18 World Juniors tournament. Throughout that time, he scored one goal and had three assists over seven games. Catton is a player that can truly take over the game. He is a manipulative forward and can create openings to get net-front.
Easton Cowan
Easton Cowan was the Toronto Maple Leafs 28th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He is a 19-year-old creative right wing who plays with the London Knights. Cowan has dressed for 20 games this season and has 28 points (15G, 13A). He is a returning player to the U-20 WJC Team Canada roster.
During last year’s tournament, Cowan had one goal and one assist over five games. Cowan can shift his weight and is deceptive in how he shows one thing and does another.
Oliver Bonk
Oliver Bonk is another current London Knight, a 19-year-old drafted 22nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He has 21 points (6G, 15A) over 24 games this season.
Bonk is a shutdown defenseman who blocks the defensive zone to keep opponents away. He’s a captivating player to watch and his performance rarely fluctuates, he stays engaged throughout the game and is a very consistent player.
Carson Bjarnson
Carson Bjarnson is a bit of a dark horse here; he is a 19-year-old goaltender drafted 51st overall by the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Bjarnson plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings and has a .913 SV% with a 2.90 GAA over 16 games this season.
Bjarnson previously dressed for Team Canada in the 2022-23 U-18 World Juniors, where he held a 3.51 GAA and a .849 SV% over six games. He is great at projecting on top of the puck in the crease and often utilizes his legs to block shots. Bjarnson can stretch across the crease and cover space with his pads.
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