The most exciting players to watch at the 2026 World Junior Championship

The World Junior Championship has a habit of changing reputations in a hurry. The 2026 iteration in Minnesota will be no different. Every year, this tournament provides players with an opportunity to seize the spotlight and make the most of it. Some arrive with hype they need to back up. Others show up in the shadows and end up stealing the spotlight. Games swing fast at this event, and so do opinions.

This year's event is loaded with players who can tilt the ice and take over shifts and fill up the highlight reels. Let's check in on a bushel full of players who have the skill, the will, and the opportunity to electrify the masses. 

Gavin McKenna, LW – Canada (2026 NHL Draft)

Despite being one of the youngest players on Team Canada, Gavin McKenna has the potential to be the most exciting play