Jett Luchanko, Oliver Bonk headline five Flyers to watch at 2025 World Juniors
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship is just around the corner and national teams are finalizing their squads. The tournament is set to begin on Boxing Day in Ottawa, Ontario, with a champion crowned on Jan. 5. USA Hockey has never won back-to-back titles or played in back-to-back gold-medal games. Is this the year?
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship is just around the corner and national teams are finalizing their squads. The tournament is set to begin on Boxing Day in Ottawa, Ontario, with a champion crowned on Jan. 5. USA Hockey has never won back-to-back titles or played in back-to-back gold-medal games. Is this the year?
There will not be a Flyer on the USA squad but the team is expected to have five players between Finland, Canada, and Sweden. Canada named three Flyers to its its 25-man roster on Friday. Denver Barkey, who has 31 points in 23 games this season for London of the Ontario Hockey League, was again a final cut from the team.
There will not be a Flyer on the USA squad but the team is expected to have five players between Finland, Canada, and Sweden. Canada named three Flyers to its its 25-man roster on Friday. Denver Barkey, who has 31 points in 23 games this season for London of the Ontario Hockey League, was again a final cut from the team.
Finland: Heikki Ruohonen, Center
Finland hasn't announced its roster but Ruohonen is expected to be named. A two-way center and fourth round selection in June's draft, Ruohonen had five points in five games at the U18s in May and played for Finland at the Summer Showcase.
Finland: Heikki Ruohonen, Center
Finland hasn't announced its roster but Ruohonen is expected to be named. A two-way center and fourth round selection in June's draft, Ruohonen had five points in five games at the U18s in May and played for Finland at the Summer Showcase.
Ruohonen has 12 points in 19 games for Dubuque of the USHL this season. “He’s a hardworking center, good two-way game," Sami Kapanen told The Inquirer in July. "His skating is pretty powerful. A high-compete [player] and plays hard." The Finn models his game after Aleksander Barkov and will attend Harvard in 2025-26.
Ruohonen has 12 points in 19 games for Dubuque of the USHL this season. “He’s a hardworking center, good two-way game," Sami Kapanen told The Inquirer in July. "His skating is pretty powerful. A high-compete [player] and plays hard." The Finn models his game after Aleksander Barkov and will attend Harvard in 2025-26.
Sweden: Jack Berglund, Center
Named to Sweden's roster, Berglund was picked 51st overall by the Flyers in June. It came after he had five points in seven games at U18s, including the game-winner in the quarters against Finland and two assists to help Sweden win bronze.
Sweden: Jack Berglund, Center
Named to Sweden's roster, Berglund was picked 51st overall by the Flyers in June. It came after he had five points in seven games at U18s, including the game-winner in the quarters against Finland and two assists to help Sweden win bronze.
The 18-year-old split time between Färjestad BK of the SHL and its junior club, Färjestad BK J20 to start the season. He had 18 points in 28 games across the two levels before being loaned to BIK Karlskoga last week. He has skated in two games for the HockeyAllsvenskan club, the second-highest league in Sweden.
The 18-year-old split time between Färjestad BK of the SHL and its junior club, Färjestad BK J20 to start the season. He had 18 points in 28 games across the two levels before being loaned to BIK Karlskoga last week. He has skated in two games for the HockeyAllsvenskan club, the second-highest league in Sweden.
Canada: Carson Bjarnason, Goalie
Bjarnason will officially represent Canada for the second time in his young career. Selected 51st overall by the Flyers in 2023 — and the first player drafted from Carberry, Manitoba — he'll be looking for some redemption this time around.
Canada: Carson Bjarnason, Goalie
Bjarnason will officially represent Canada for the second time in his young career. Selected 51st overall by the Flyers in 2023 — and the first player drafted from Carberry, Manitoba — he'll be looking for some redemption this time around.
In 2023, he helped Canada win bronze at U18s but had a 3.51 GAA and .849 save percentage. This season he is 8-6-2 for Brandon while boasting the second-best save percentage (.913) and seventh-best GAA (2.90) in the Western Hockey League. “He’s got a quiet confidence about him,” Brandon coach Marty Murray said in July.
In 2023, he helped Canada win bronze at U18s but had a 3.51 GAA and .849 save percentage. This season he is 8-6-2 for Brandon while boasting the second-best save percentage (.913) and seventh-best GAA (2.90) in the Western Hockey League. “He’s got a quiet confidence about him,” Brandon coach Marty Murray said in July.
Canada: Oliver Bonk, Defense
Speaking of redemption, Bonk returns to Canada's squad after registering three assists in five games at the 2024 World Juniors before unfortunately redirecting Czechia’s overtime-winning goal into his own net in the quarterfinals.
Canada: Oliver Bonk, Defense
Speaking of redemption, Bonk returns to Canada's squad after registering three assists in five games at the 2024 World Juniors before unfortunately redirecting Czechia’s overtime-winning goal into his own net in the quarterfinals.
Not to add any more pressure to the 19-year-old blueliner's plate this time, but he is expected to play a lead role at the tournament in his hometown. A first-round pick in 2023 by the Flyers, Bonk has 21 points, including 10 on the power play, in 24 games this season for London of the Ontario Hockey League.
Not to add any more pressure to the 19-year-old blueliner's plate this time, but he is expected to play a lead role at the tournament in his hometown. A first-round pick in 2023 by the Flyers, Bonk has 21 points, including 10 on the power play, in 24 games this season for London of the Ontario Hockey League.
Canada: Jett Luchanko, Center
It's been quite a year. In May, Luchanko had seven points in seven games to help Canada win gold at U18s. A month later the Flyers nabbed him at No. 13 in June's draft and, after breaking camp, he played in four NHL games.
Canada: Jett Luchanko, Center
It's been quite a year. In May, Luchanko had seven points in seven games to help Canada win gold at U18s. A month later the Flyers nabbed him at No. 13 in June's draft and, after breaking camp, he played in four NHL games.
Sent back to juniors Oct. 26, the speedy centerman has seven goals and 20 points in 16 games for Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League. "We feel for his development, and to have the best Jett Luchanko, he needs to go play a lot of minutes. He needs to go learn to be the guy," Flyers GM Daniel Brière said.
Sent back to juniors Oct. 26, the speedy centerman has seven goals and 20 points in 16 games for Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League. "We feel for his development, and to have the best Jett Luchanko, he needs to go play a lot of minutes. He needs to go learn to be the guy," Flyers GM Daniel Brière said.