What NY Islanders fans should watch for at the 2025 World Junior Championship

The World Junior Championship is one of the most exciting and fun events of the hockey season. Like in any event, representing your country in international competition is one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed upon an athlete. 

Entering the 2025 edition which will be held in Ottawa, the United States is looking to defend their Gold Medal, with the Canadians entering as the favorite. 

What NY Islanders fans should watch for at the WJC

While a majority of NY Islanders fans will likely be supporting the Stars and Stripes, four Islanders prospects will be competing, representing three nations.

Danny Nelson returns to Team USA after being part of last year's triumphant squad and will wear an "A" on his sweater this year. He's joined by Isles top prospect Cole Eiserman. Nelson is expected to assume a role centering one of the checking lines, while Eiserman will bring an element of goal-scoring, likely on the wing of the American's second line.

Marcus Gidlöf will be between the pipes for the Swedes, as there’s a strong possibility he will become the team's number-one option. He’s been incredible bouncing between Sweden’s SHL and the J20, quickly climbing the Isles prospect ranks.

Jesse Nurmi will fruit up for Finland, as the current London Knight is a veteran of this competition, and led the tournament's Summer Showcase in point a few months ago. 

The way the Islanders' season is trending, it’s unclear whether they may be a team that sneaks into the playoffs or finds themselves picking near the top of the draft. Right now, the Islanders have the seventh-best odds (6.5%) of receiving the first overall pick. 

Some of the 2025 NHL Draft’s top prospects will be taking part in the WJC and would be worth keeping an eye on.

One that most Islanders fans are familiar with is Long Island native and potential first-overall pick, James Hagens (USA). Joining Hagens as competitors for that top spot are Porter Martone (CAN), Matthew Schaefer (CAN), and Viktor Eklund (SWE).

The action gets kicked off on Boxing Day, with the Gold Medal match set for Jan. 5.