Everything you need to know about 7 Nashville Predators prospects at 2026 World Junior Championship

Boxing Day has arrived in Canada, which means the 2026 World Junior Championship has arrived.

The top under-20 prospects in the world will play in a tournament from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Minneapolis/St. Paul is to determine which team is the best in the world.

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The 12 competing countries include the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Germany, Slovakia, Denmark, Latvia and Switzerland.

Seven Nashville Predators prospects will be competing in the tournament, which includes all three first-round selections from the 2025 NHL Draft.

Here is your guide to the tournament

Oct 9, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Brady Martin (44) skates with the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Games

vs. Czechia (12/26 at 7:30 p.m. CST), vs. Latvia (12/27 at 3:30 p.m. CST), vs. Denmark (12/29 at 7:30 p.m. CST), vs. Finland (12/31 at 7:30 p.m. CST).

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Predators Prospects 

Brady Martin, C (2025, 5th overall) 2025-26 (Soo Greyhounds): 13 GP, 5 G, 11 A, 16 PTS, 18 PIM, +/- 7.

Played three games with the Predators this season with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly.

Returned to Soo as the team captain.

In his draft year with the Greyhounds, he scored 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) in 57 games.

Has developed some chemistry with Gavin McKenna, the 2026 projected No. 1 overall pick, in pre-tournament play, scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Sweden.

Cameron Reid, D (2025, 21st overall) 2025-26 (Kitchener Rangers): 28 GP, 9 G, 20 A, 29 PTS, 16 PIM, +/- 14.

Returned to Kitchener and named team captain.

With 29 points in 28 games, he has shown himself to be a playmaker. Fitting well into the Predators mold of guys like Roman Josi and Brady Skjei.

Scored 54 points in 67 games last season.

Jack Ivankovic, G (2025 58th overall) 2025-26 (Michigan): 20 GP, 16-4-0, 1.90 GAA, .927 Sv%.

Made the move from the OHL (Brampton Steelheads) to the NCAA (Michigan) this season.

Has played in every game for Michigan this season.

His win percentage of .800 is the fourth-best in the NCAA, and his save percentage of .972 leads the Big 10. Wolverines are currently ranked No. 1 in the NCAA.

From Mississauga, Ontario.

Gold team forward Teddy Stiga (87) looks to shoot during the Future Stars Game at the Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, July 5, 2025. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Games

vs. Germany (12/26 at 5 p.m. CST), vs. Switzerland (12/27 at 5 p.m. CST), vs. Slovakia (12/29 at 5 p.m. CST), vs. Sweden (12/31 at 5 p.m. CST)

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Predators Prospects 

Teddy Stiga, C (2024 55th overall) 2025-26 (Boston College): 15 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 11 PTS, 21 PIM, +/- -2.

Returns to the World Junior stage after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against Finland to win the 2025 World Junior Championship. It was his only goal of the tournament.

Named an assistant captain.

In his second year at Boston College, he netted 30 points in 36 games last season. Playing alongside 11 other NHL draft picks.

Is known for his “next play” ability on the ice, finding ways to get open and be one step ahead of the action.

From Boston, Massachusetts.

Ryker Lee, RW (2025, 26th overall) 2025-26 (Michigan State): 16 GP, 6 G, 7 A, 13 PTS, 22 PIM, +/- 3.

In his first season at Michigan State, after spending his draft year with the Madison Capitols (USHL), where he scored 68 points (31 goals, 37 assists) in 58 games.

He is known for his dazzling stickhandling and shooting skills, scoring a handful of highlight goals this season.

Garnered a lot of attention during the World Juniors Summer Showcase.

Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] View of a Team Sweden logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Games

vs. Slovakia (12/26 at noon CST), vs. Switzerland (12/28 at 1 p.m. CST), vs. Germany (12/29 at noon CST), vs. USA (12/31 at 5 p.m. CST)

Predators Prospects 

Viggo Gustafsson, D (2024, 77th overall) 2025-26 (AIK) 22 GP, 6 A, 6 PTS, 24 PIM, +/-  -4.

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Returns to Team Sweden after competing in the 2025 tournament, scoring three points in seven games in Sweden’s fourth-place finish.

Playing his first full season in Sweden’s top league. Spent previous seasons in Sweden’s second-best league and their junior league.

In his draft year, he scored 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists) in 41 games with HV71 in Sweden’s junior league.

Plays a traditional “stay-at-home” style of defense and is a dependable blue line presence.

Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] View of a Team Finland logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team USA at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Games

vs. Denmark (12/26 at 2:30 p.m.),  vs. Latvia (12/28 at 3:30 p.m. CST), vs. Czechia (12/29 at 2:30 p.m.), vs. Canada (12/31 at 7:30 p.m. CST)

Predators Prospects 

Daniel Nieminen, D (2025, 163rd overall) 2025-26 (Pelicans) 26 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 PTS, 16 PIM, +/- 0.

Returns to Team Finland after competing in the 2025 tournament, scoring two points (two assists) in seven games in Finland’s runner-up finish.

Playing his second full season in Finland’s top hockey league. Scored 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 39 games last season with the Pelicans, located in Lahti, Finland.

Skating has been a critical part of his success, allowing him to get to pucks first and get the play moving. Seemingly all over the ice.