First-time draft-eligible players to watch at the 2022 World Juniors

This year's edition of the IIHF World Junior Championships will be similar to many that have come before it. It's primarily a 19-year-old tournament that will be dominated by 19-year-olds. It's not an event that is often friendly to draft-eligible kids who have been fortunate enough to warrant roster spots. 

However, this year's tournament will feature some truly remarkably elite talent coming from a couple of 2023-eligible kids instead of the upcoming crop. 

Now, with that said, that does not mean this tournament will be void of exciting draft-eligible talent. There will be lottery picks playing for the big five squads. There will be several less-heralded types littering the rest of the countries looking to make a name for themselves. The scouts will have plenty to do in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

Unfortunately, Sweden will be without a 2022-eligible player this year. They opted to leave presumptive first-round talents Liam Öhgren, Noah Östlund and Jonathan Lekkerimäki at home. Canada will have just one draft-eligible player, and Russia and America will have the same. But that's where the fun really begins. 

Let's take a look at each of the squads and check in on some of the more exciting draft-eligible players who will represent their countries at the upcoming World Junior Championships.