The Columbus Blue Jackets expect to send only three prospects to the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins on December 26 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
The tournament, which showcases the top U20 players in the world (that aren't already playing a key role in the NHL, more on that in a moment), is seen as one of the premier events on the prospect/scouting calendar.
The three prospects, all from Team Czechia, are forward Martin Rysavy (WHL Moose Jaw), defenseman Stanislav Svozil (WHL Regina), and defenseman David Jiricek (AHL Cleveland).
Notably, all three played for Czechia just a few months ago in the 2022 World Junior tournament after it was delayed last December due to COVID-19. Czechia showed well for themselves, losing in the Bronze Medal game to Sweden, and tying for the country's best finish since 2005 (Bronze).
The Blue Jackets had hoped to have representation on Team Canada’s roster, but Jordan Dumais was a late cut. Dumais, 18, is lighting up the QMJHL and is seen to have a good shot at making the team next year. Disappointingly, neither former first-round draft picks defenders Denton Mateychuk nor Corson Ceulemans were even invited to their final evaluation camp, much less a cut. While still eligible for the tournament, Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger are playing a key role for the Blue Jackets and will not be sent. Remember, it was just a few months ago that Johnson scored the golden goal for Team Canada.
Rysavy, who was picked in the seventh round (197th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, is a teammate of Mateychuk in Moose Jaw. The Blue Jackets, who are well-positioned in the standings to pick in the lottery, are probably keeping tabs on Brayden Yager, who is seen as a potential top-10 pick in the upcoming draft. Rysavy has posted 2-9-11 (G-A-PTS) in 21 games this year.
Svozil, who was taken in the third round (69th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, is a teammate of uber-prospect Connor Bedard, who is the likely first-overall pick in the upcoming draft. Svozil probably likes it just fine in Regina, where he's posted a gaudy 5-32-37 in 28 games, fourth on the team and first among defenders.
Jiricek, who was taken sixth overall in the first round of the 2022 NHL draft, is the crown jewel of the Blue Jackets prospect pool (at least, among those not already on the big club). The 19-year-old has posted 4-12-16 in 17 games with Cleveland while playing a major role on the blue line.
While it's a bit disappointing that players like Dumais, Ceulemans, and Mateychuk will not represent Canada, it is a positive that the Blue Jackets have already graduated players like Johnson and Sillinger from the tournament.
The tournament runs through January 5.
