How NHL draft-eligible prospects fared at the 2026 World Juniors

The 2026 World Junior Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis did exactly what this tournament is supposed to do. It solidified some evaluations, complicated others, and forced NHL teams to reconsider their draft boards.

For draft-eligible players, there was nowhere to hide. 

Some saw heavy minutes; others played well down the lineup. There were big moments in tight games; mistakes were made, resiliency was tested, and plenty of lessons were learned.

This tournament has long been dubbed an event for 19-year-olds, which lends credence to caution when over-evaluating those in their draft year. And while performances here should do little to drop players significantly, it does have the ability to catapult players upwards. 

What follows is a look at the draft-eligible players who shaped the 2026