It’s that time of year again. As with every year, the World Juniors are back on, and the Red Wings have a slew of prospects in the tournament this time around. It can be hard to follow all of these mid-round picks and who they are during the already packed Red Wings season. This is your Red Wings prospects guide at the 2026 World Junior Championship. I’ll give a profile of each pick and what you need to know about them for this tournament.

Related: Guide to the 2026 World Junior Championship

Carter Bear: 2025 13th Overall Pick, Canada

WHL Stats: 23GP, 13G, 14A, 27PTS

Carter Bear is cut from the same cloth as Marco Kasper is. Both are talented shooters who thrive with powerful shots and an aggressive play style. Truthfully, barring some injuries, Bear is unlikely to play. His archetype of gritty scoring forward is something Canada has in spades with Porter Martone and Tij Iginla. If he does play, expect him to be a great bottom-six forward on the team. Out of his draft, I compared him to Brandon Hagel if he reaches his peak. Expected a toned-down version of Hagel’s game if Bear plays. Great defence, effort and an underrated shot.

Bear has the talent set to be a valuable part of any winning team. He probably won’t be the superstar this time around for Canada, or even in the NHL at any point. Bear brings a winning mentality, and if he gets on the ice for Canada, it’s unlikely anyone will complain.

Max Plante: 2024 47th Overall Pick, U.S.A.

NCAA Stats: 20GP, 16G, 14A, 30PTS

Plante is a pure playmaker, but his scoring touch is coming along well. He is an undersized, but very skilled forward who can direct the offensive zone at full speed. Plante, unlike Bear, is likely to have a pretty big role on this team. As one of the leaders in the Hobey Baker race this season, Plante is playing against some of the best and dominating against them. Plante is a talented facilitator, and he is likely to have a lot of offensive responsibility. The nature of Plante’s game makes him a player who can fit in on a lot of these lines as either a center or a wing.

This American team has a lot of pure shooters on it. Plante could play up and down the lineup to fit with whichever scorer needs a perfect setup. I don’t mean to undersell his shot; he is a capable scorer as well. Generally, though, he is a well-rounded offensive forward with his playmaking being his most polished skill.

Eddie Genborg: 2025 44th Overall Pick, Sweden

SHL Stats: 26GP, 8G, 7A, 15PTS

I admittedly was a little iffy on Genborg out of his draft. He is a big-bodied Swede who plays a physical brand of hockey against grown men in Sweden. This season in the SHL, through Genborg, has turned things around significantly in my mind. His skill game has taken a substantial jump, and he is performing both on the box score and in the eye test. In this tournament, Genborg will be playing honey badger a lot. Sweden, as per usual, is coming with a lot of skilled forwards to this tournament. Genborg is one of the best physical options who won’t hold anyone back offensively.

Genborg will be great at getting the puck back, especially off the boards. As with a lot of Swedes in this tournament, his game is mature, and he will help round out the lineup. Sweden will have a mix of talented forwards and some gritty ones. Genborg will be crucial to adding a mean streak to this team as they search for gold.

Michal Svercek: 2025 119th Overall Pick, Slovakia

SHL Stats: 12GP 0G, 0A, 0PTS

Svercek fell a lot in his draft. I’ll be the first to say I wasn’t really familiar with him or the hype around him. After watching tape on him post-draft for my prospects post, I found that he can be a competent offensive dual threat with a good motor. He’s an impressive skater, and his engine still impresses me to this day. He’s likely to see time on the top power play this tournament.

Generally, Svercek will be an offensive option for Slovakia, who wants to get the puck with time and space, something he struggles to create for himself. His skill game is sound, seam passes are something Svercek can get through consistently. Look for him to do most of his damage on the man advantage.

Michal Pradel: 2025 75th Overall Pick, Slovakia

USHL Stats: 12GP, 2.46 GAA, .916%

Pradel is joining one of the best goalie prospect pools in the NHL. So far, he has impressed in the USHL. He has the physical tools to be a great goaltender at both the WJC level and the NHL level. His 6’5″ frame is something most teams would love in a goaltender. Generally, Pradel should be one of the better goaltenders off pure resume in this tournament, so expect him to shut it down for Slovakia.

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