Ellis touched on several other top 2026 draft prospects who could play significant roles at the WJC, including Canada defenseman Carson Carels of Prince George (WHL) and Sweden forward Ivar Stenberg (Frolunda, Sweden).
“I’m really excited to see Carels,” Ellis said. “I feel like having seen him in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, where he was so good in that series, and then watching him throughout Canada’s training camp, this is a guy that just gets how to play defense. He doesn’t try to do things he’s not capable of.
“The season Stenberg is having in Sweden is incredible. The Swedish Hockey League is a hard league to score in, but watching Stenberg do what he’s doing is really incredible.”
Stenberg, an 18-year-old forward, has 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 25 games with Frolunda this season. Carels has 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 28 games with Prince George.
The World Junior Championship will be held in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, from Dec. 26-Jan. 5, with all games live on NHL Network in the United States and TSN in Canada.
Hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale also discussed Sweden’s chances, Czechia’s bolstered lineup, and the odds of the United States winning a third straight gold medal at the tournament.
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