Ranking the top 2025 draft-eligible players at WJHC

The World Junior Championship can often be a tournament dominated by 19-year-olds, but it also presents an opportunity for draft-eligible players to boost their stock with a strong performance.

The 2025 tournament is loaded with high-end, draft-eligible talent, including the projected top three picks in the upcoming draft. That doesn't even include 16-year-old phenom Gavin McKenna, who was omitted from this list because he's not draft eligible until 2026.

However, the depth is lacking. A likely North American-heavy Round 1 means fewer opportunities for draft-eligible players to participate in this tournament because Canada and USA are the toughest teams to crack. A pair of notable projected European first-rounders, Anton Frondell (Sweden) and Radim Mrtka (Czechia), were left off their respective nation's teams.

But without further ado, we rank the top five players eligible for the upcoming NHL draft who are competing at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa.

1. James Hagens, United States 🇺🇸

Position: C
Birthday: Nov. 3, 2006
Draft projection: 1st overall

Hagens has long been considered the cream of the crop of the 2025 class, though he isn't exactly a shoo-in for the No. 1 pick as Macklin Celebrini was a year ago and Connor Bedard was in 2023. But a strong performance at this tournament - especially against other players competing for top spot - would go a long way in further cementing his status as the best player in the draft.

He'll have a great opportunity to shine in Ottawa, as he projects to center USA's top line between his Boston College linemates Gabriel Perreault and Ryan Leonard - both of whom are among the best players in the tournament after helping the Americans capture gold in 2024.

Prior to joining B.C., Hagens paced the U.S. National U18 Team with 102 points in 58 contests while ranking second with 39 goals last season. His 187 points across two years with the development program are the fifth most all-time, trailing only Utah Hockey Club captain Clayton Keller, San Jose Sharks rookie Will Smith, New York Islanders prospect Cole Eiserman, and New Jersey Devils superstar Jack Hughes.

The New York native was a final cut from the United States' world juniors roster last year, likely because of the team's depth up front and his young age. Hagens has some experience on the international stage, though. He was a beast at the IIHF World U18 Championship in the spring, recording nine goals and 22 points in seven games to establish a new single-tournament record while helping the Americans to a second-place finish. Nikita Kucherov was the previous record holder after going off for 21 points in 2011.

2. Matthew Schaefer, Canada 🇨🇦

Position: D
Birthday: Sept. 5, 2007
Draft projection: Top 3

Schaefer is widely considered the top defenseman in the draft and a legitimate challenger for the No. 1 pick if he continues to ascend. Despite a slow start to his OHL season after missing the first nine games with mononucleosis, he's already surpassed his point totals (three goals and 14 assists in 56 games) from his rookie campaign.

He boasts easily projectable traits that give him a high prospect floor. He's arguably the best skater in the draft, equal parts explosive and agile. Combine that with a 6-foot-2 frame and good instincts offensively and defensively, it's easy to understand why a team picking first overall might have a tough time passing on Schaefer.

Despite being the only '07-born player on this list, Schaefer projects to play a key role for Canada. During recent practices he was partnered with Oliver Bonk - Canada's only returnee on the back end - on the team's second defense pair and was quarterbacking the top power-play unit.

The blue-liner is chasing his fourth gold medal in what will be his fourth international appearance. He finished atop the podium at the World U17 Hockey Challenge in 2023 as well as this year's IIHF World U18 Championship and Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Schaefer particularly impressed at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, where he was largely considered the best player at the event while donning the "C" for Canada.

3. Porter Martone, Canada 🇨🇦

Position: RW
Birthday: Oct. 26, 2006
Draft projection: Top 3

Despite coming in at No. 3 on our list, don't sleep on Martone, who has a legitimate chance to hear his name first on draft day.

Martone is hard to miss when he's out there. His skills as a budding, physical power forward are a factor of course, but he's also listed at 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds. Despite his large frame, he still skates quite well.

That physical maturity could help Martone excel in this tournament despite being an underager. He's primed for an opportunity to do so, skating on Canada's second line during recent practices.

Martone enjoyed a strong 2023-24 campaign, finishing with 33 goals and 71 points in 60 contests for the Steelheads. Stunningly, he's only 18 points away from surpassing last season's total, and he's played in 34 fewer games. Martone has also been held without a point in only three games so far in 2024-25 and has registered 17 multi-point contests. That hot run has him second in OHL production, behind only Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit.

This will be Martone's first world juniors appearance, though he did captain Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championship. He finished second on the team with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in seven outings, trailing only McKenna.

4. Victor Eklund, Sweden 🇸🇪

Position: LW
Birthday: Oct. 3, 2006
Draft projection: Mid-1st round

The younger brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund, Victor Eklund has already accomplished something his sibling never did: represent Sweden at a World Junior Championship.

This won't be Eklund's first time on the international stage, either, as he previously donned the tre kronor at the 2024 U18s and the 2022 U17s, winning a bronze medal at the former.

Eklund shares several of the same characteristics as his brother. While a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 and 161 pounds, he's a highly talented offensive winger. Eklund is a better playmaker than he is a finisher, despite having more goals than assists this season. He's a gifted skater with a high motor.

Some scouts have Eklund going in the top 10, while others project him in the 20s. This tournament presents a huge opportunity for him to prove he's worthy of a top-10 pick.

5. Logan Hensler, United States 🇺🇸

Position: D
Birthday: Oct. 14, 2006
Draft projection: Mid-1st round

Hensler doesn't project to play a huge role on a loaded U.S. roster, but being named to the team as a draft-eligible player is impressive nonetheless.

As a right-shot, 6-foot-2, 196-pound defender with mobility, Hensler's toolkit is tantalizing. He has top-four defenseman potential in the NHL, especially if he continues to grow. While he isn't dynamic offensively, his length and feet make him a reliable defender.

Hensler boasts prior international experience. The Woodbury, Minnesota, product helped USA capture silver at the 2024 U18s, and he donned the stars and stripes at the 2022 U17s.

Keep an eye on:

• G Jack Ivankovic 🇨🇦
• D Carlos Handel 🇩🇪
• F David Lewandowski 🇩🇪
• G Michal Pradel 🇸🇰
• F Jamiro Reber🇨🇭