World Juniors Roundup Day 1: How Did the Flyers Prospects Play?

I bit the bullet, and for the first time in a long time, I was able to watch the first day of World Juniors. That includes all six Philadelphia Flyers prospects, who were all in action on Friday’s opening day.

If you don’t have NHL Network, here is what you missed out on.

First, Jack Berglund and the Swedish team he is captaining took on Slovakia in the first game of the tournament. It was a big day for the 2024 draftees, as Anton Frondell (CHI) and Victor Eklund (NYI) both scored the second and third goals for Sweden. Ivar Stenberg, an elite 2025 draft-eligible player, scored the game-winner with just under four minutes to play.

Eklund’s goal was a power-play goal assisted by none other than Jack Berglund, who had the secondary assist alongside Anton Frondell with the primary. If Berglund keeps playing on a power-play with Frondell and Eklund, he could have himself a very, very nice tournament.

Game 2 featured Denmark and Finland. The Flyers had two prospects in the game, Heikki Ruohonen and Max Westergard, both playing for Finland.

This game was not as close as the first one. The second game of World Juniors ended in a 6-2 blowout score in favor of the Finns.

Westergard had himself a solid game, showing flashes of dynamic playmaking ability and great speed. He used that to set up Finland’s second goal, earning the primary assist on Onni Kalto’s goal.

Heikki Ruohonen, who is also wearing an “A” for Finland, earned himself a point on opening day with his secondary assist on Atos Koivu’s goal to make it 4-1.

Ruohonen also made a sick breakout play, showing off his skill. The Finnish Flyers’ prospects will be fun to watch.

Second half of World Juniors Day 1

In the second half of day one, two of the three must-see teams were in action. I’d consider Sweden to be a must-see as well.

The third game of the day was the USA vs Germany. Expectations were set for American domination. It was not quite that. After three first-period goals by the US, scored by Max Plante (DET), Case Reid (2026), and Will Horcoff (PIT), it looked like domination was coming.

Then, Germany woke up and scored back-to-back by Timo Kose and Simon Seidl within five minutes of both sides of the first intermission. All of a sudden, it was a one-goal game.

Will Zellers (Boston) would never let Germany tie it, answering their second goal, and Lenny Boos’ third goal for Germany, making the game 4-2, then 5-3, respectively. Cole Eiserman (NYI) would put the icing on the cake, scoring for the US in the second period, making it a 6-3 lead, which was the final.

Shane Vansaghi was the lone Flyers’ prospect in this game. At one point, I realized I was not hearing his name often or really at all, but did not notice him much either. Well, that’s because we didnt.

Vansaghi played just eight shifts for a total of 5:01 in ice time. Playing in the extra forward role, high ice time is not expected.

Late-night fireworks between Canada and Czechia

A lot happened in this game. It was a chaotic box score. Porter Martone, Jett Luchanko, and Canada took on Czechia in what has become a great rivalry at World Juniors lately. It was a back-and-forth game with Canada coming out with the 7-5 win.

Zayne Parekh (CGY) (2G) and Michael Hage (MTL) (1G 2A) had great games, really jumping out. Like Hage, Brady Martin (1G 1A) also had two points on the first two goals. Ethan MacKenzie (1G 2A) had a great game as well. Gavin McKenna (2026) picked up two assists as well.

Catching a sense here? The Flyers’ prospects were not really found on the scoresheet, unless you count Jett Luchanko’s -3 rating. His line did not have the best game on Friday. It was not particularly Luchanko’s fault. Regardless, not the best showing from the third line. Luchanko had zero shots on goal and was 50% at the dot.

As for Martone, the scoresheet may not say it, but he had a fantastic game. He was all over the puck, great along the boards, and was generating a lot of offense. Martone had the second most ice time of ANY SKATER for Canada at 19:36. As a forward, that’s crazy, but he earned his ice time.

Martone did score a goal, the empty-netter that sealed the 7-5 win.

What he did after, well, that is straight out of the Claude Giroux book of captaincy.

Porter Martone is a Flyer.

What’s next at World Juniors

Three Flyers prospects will likely be in play during Saturday’s slate at the World Juniors.

First on Day 2, Slovakia and Germany play at 2:00 p.m. EST at Grand Casino Arena, followed by Latvia taking on Porter Martone, Jett Luchanko, and Canada at 4:30 p.m. EST at 3M Arena at Maricci.

USA and Shane Vansaghi follow up the Slovakia and Germany game at Grand Casino when they take on Switzerland at 6:00 p.m. EST. Wrapping things up, at 8:30 p.m. EST, Denmark and Czechia show down.

All games are on NHL Network (USA) or TSN (Canada).

World Juniors Roundup Day 1: How Did the Flyers Prospects Play?

Tags: