We’re now less than 48 hours away from the best two weeks on the hockey calendar, and rosters are finally set for the 2026 World Junior Championship.
This year, the Kings will have six prospects participating, representing five different countries. Unlike most NHL teams, who usually only send first and second round picks, LA will have a full cross section of their recent selections on various rosters — including a sixth and seventh rounder. That’s pretty unique in and of itself.
Additionally, compared to other NHL teams, the Kings are tied for the second-most prospects overall. Nashville and Utah each have seven prospects attending, while LA and Philadelphia are tied with six each. (Note: of course it’s the Kings and Flyers, they’ve consistently been linked together since arriving in the NHL at the same time in 1967).
So, which Kings prospects will skate at the 2026 World Junior Championship?
United States
Brendan McMorrow, Univ. of Denver, Left Wing (196th overall in 2025)
From our original preview heading into WJC training camp:
A stronger candidate than most people likely think. The USA coaching staff is said to love his speed. When you’re a bubble player, that’s just what you need when fighting for a roster spot in a tournament like this — a defining characteristic. Every player who gets invited to a WJC camp is a top of the food chain athlete. They’re great at what they do on the ice. However, when culling a list down to the final couple dozen players who get to represent their country, it can often be a razor thin margin. McMorrow just might have that intangible that allows him to sneak onto the roster.
For more on McMorrow, see here: LA Kings Select Brendan McMorrow at No. 196 – What You Need to Know
Canada
Carter George, Owen Sound Attack, Goalie (57th overall in 2024)
From our original preview heading into WJC training camp:
One of the true guarantees in this entire article. George, pictured above, served as Canada’s top goalie at last year’s tournament and opened up play with back-to-back shutouts, including a 31-save performance over Finland. His stock has only continued to rise since then.
He’s a lifelong Kings fan too, which you can read about here:
Carter George: Lifelong Kings Fan Ready for Probable AHL Debut This Weekend
Liam Greentree, Windsor Spitfires, Right Wing (26th overall in 2024)
Despite being in the top-10 in points-per-game for OHL players, Greentree was far from a lock to make the final roster. In the end, he survived a heavy competition at Canada’s evaluation camp this month. He made it. They even used him as a net front guy on the power play during some of their practices and exhibition games. It will be interesting to see how he’s ultimately deployed at the tournament. He may see limited minutes in a bottom-6 role, we’ll see.
Finland
Petteri Rimpinen, Liiga-Kiekko-Espoo, Goalie (152nd overall in 2025)
#GoKingsGo prospect going with the Aurora Borealis look for this year’s #WorldJuniors https://t.co/oUSwvhusXC
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 24, 2025
From our original preview heading into WJC training camp:
He’s as solid of a lock as George is for Canada. Rimpinen has been a star goalie for Finland at the U-18s and other international tournaments. He’s their guy this year and if Finland has any thoughts of leaving Minnesota with a medal, a big performance in net will likely be necessary. Along with the USA and Canada, it’s been Finland who has found the most WJC success in recent years. Can they make some noise again this year? USA and Finland play each other in a pre-tournament game on Dec. 23. Don’t think of that as a regular preseason contest. It’s one to watch heading into the WJC just a few days later.
For what it’s worth, Finland beat Canada, the U.S., and Sweden at the most recent Summer Showcase event — a precursor to the WJC. Rimpinen — whose nickname is ‘Showtime’ — was Finland’s No. 1 netminder once again and it perhaps set up the start to his redemption tour. At last year’s World Juniors, he was named the tournament’s best goaltender after finishing 5-2 with a .933 save percentage. However, his lasting memory is likely giving up an overtime goal in the gold medal game.
For more on Rimpinen, see here: LA Kings Select Petteri Rimpinen at No. 152 – What You Need to Know
Czechia
Vojtech Cihar, Czechia-HC Energie Karlovy Vary, Forward (59th overall in 2025)
From our original preview heading into WJC training camp:
Considering he’s expected to serve as one of the alternate captains for Czechia, Cihar is another of the Kings prospects who is a lock for the tournament. He’ll also slot in as the team’s top line left wing, so you’ll likely hear a lot about him throughout the tournament. He’s currently playing about 13-17 minutes per night in the CZE league, near the top of TOI for most young forwards among his peers there. Word coming out of last month’s tournament in Europe was that the coaching staff felt Cihar was their best forward. Additionally, he was an alternate captain for those games.
Outside the big-four nations, it’s Czechia who has proven to be the most difficult out at recent WJCs. They left last year’s event with a bronze medal — after eliminating Canada in a quarterfinal game, then later beating Sweden. This built upon their silver medal finish two years prior. Don’t count them out this time around either. They shouldn’t be taken lightly.
For more on Cihar, see here: LA Kings Select Vojtech Cihar at No. 59– What You Need to Know
Slovakia
Jan Chovan, Sudbury Wolves, Center/Right Wing (184th overall in 2025)
From our original preview heading into WJC training camp:
Chovan enters this month in a pretty good position. He’s previously played for his native country at multiple levels, including the U-17 and U-18 tournaments, where he also wore an ‘A’ on his sweater. Last year, he made his World Junior debut, recording a goal and one assist in five games.
For more on Chovan, see here: LA Kings Select Jan Chovan at No. 184 – What You Need to Know
The WJC Schedule
All USA and Canada games (and many others, as well) will be televised by NHL Network.
December 26
Sweden vs. Slovakia, 10 a.m. Pacific
Denmark vs. Finland, 12:30 p.m.
Germany vs. United States, 3 p.m.
Canada vs. Czechia, 5:30 p.m.
December 27
Slovakia vs. Germany, 11 a.m. Pacific
Latvia vs. Canada, 1:30 p.m.
USA vs. Switzerland, 3 p.m.
Denmark vs. Czechia, 5:30 p.m.
December 28
Sweden vs. Switzerland, 11 a.m. Pacific
Finland vs. Latvia, 1:30 p.m.
December 29
Germany vs. Sweden, 10 a.m. Pacific
Finland vs. Czechia, 12:30 p.m.
Slovakia vs. USA, 3 p.m.
Canada vs. Denmark, 5:30 p.m.
December 30
Switzerland vs. Germany, 11 a.m. Pacific
Latvia vs. Denmark, 1:30 p.m.
December 31
Switzerland vs. Slovakia, 10 a.m. Pacific
Czechia vs. Latvia, 12:30 p.m.
USA vs. Sweden, 3 p.m.
Canada vs. Finland, 5:30 p.m.
January 2
Quarterfinal 1, 11 a.m. Pacific
Quarterfinal 2, 1:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal 3, 3 p.m.
Quarterfinal 4, 5:30 p.m.
January 4
Semifinal 1, 1:30 p.m. Pacific
Semifinal 2, 5:30 p.m.
January 5
Third-place game, 1:30 p.m. Pacific
Championship game, 4:30 p.m.
Photos by Megan Sanders exclusively for MayorsManor.com
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