The Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series (Nov 21, 2025)

Episode Summary: Canada, USA World Juniors Roster Debates

Hosts/Panelists:

• Max Bultman (The Athletic)
• Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
• Scott Wheeler (The Athletic)
• Chris Peters (FloHockey)

Episode Overview

In this Prospect Series episode, Max Bultman is joined by Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler, and Chris Peters to conduct a comprehensive, on-air debate over the projected World Junior rosters for Team Canada and Team USA. The panel creates depth charts (not just lines) for both teams, discusses which NHL players might realistically be released for the tournament, and delves into the most contentious positional battles and bubble players. The hosts highlight areas of consensus, notable disagreements, and evolving storylines as selections near.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Team Canada: Forward Depth Chart Debate

(Segment starts: 02:12)

The Big Challenge: NHL Player Availability

• Major Point: Canada’s greatest uncertainty is whether NHL teams will loan top prospects like Beckett Sennecke, Berkeley Catton, Michael Misa, and Ben Kindel.
  • “Canada has so many contingencies… There’s ultimately the pool they’re going to end up with.” (Max, 02:33)
  • Consensus Top 5 Forwards: Gavin McKenna, Berkeley Catton, Beckett Sennecke, Porter Martone, Michael Misa.

Player-By-Player Availability Analysis

(03:58–08:56)

• Beckett Sennecke (Ducks):
  • “He’s been good for the Ducks... I’d be surprised right now if Sennecke was available.” (Corey, 04:11)
• Michael Misa (Sharks):
  • "I would bet that Michael Misa is playing for Canada at the World Juniors if he’s healthy." (Scott, 05:26)
• Berkeley Catton (Kraken):
  • Max describes Catton as a “likely gold medal hopes” candidate—if made available. (06:59)
• Ben Kindel (Penguins):
  • “Kindel’s playing a lot of minutes right now... I’d be surprised at this point if... they loaned him out, but that could change.” (Corey, 07:57)
  • Kindel’s rapid ascension since summer camp is noted, moving from “outside looking in” to maybe 2C. (Chris, 08:20)

Bubble/Secondary Forwards and Fit Debate

• Extensive discussion of how specific skills and roles (e.g., centers vs. natural wingers) impact depth chart decisions:
  • Jake O’Brien: “He’s not a penalty killer... if there’s a middle six power play opportunity, all of a sudden I think he’s in that mix.” (Corey, 09:21)
  • Brady Martin: Positioning is about “versatility... physicality... not necessarily scoring. He can score... but it’s what he brings in short tournaments.” (Scott, 12:11)
  • Tij Iginla: "Since he’s been playing this year, he’s been one of the very best players in junior hockey." (Corey, 13:46)
  • Liam Greentree: “You need scoring. He does that. That’s why he’s in for me.” (Scott, 21:56); but Corey counters, “His pace does worry me... when the game gets really fast, is he gonna be able to keep up?” (23:38)

Consensus and Contentious Final Cuts

(24:41–27:49)

• Summing up, Max lays out a theoretical top depth chart and bubble list.
• On cutting talents like O’Brien and Martin: “It’s frustrating... based on NHL availabilities, there are clear scenarios for either of them actually being on the team.” (Corey, 25:29)
• “One domino turns into another... Suddenly there’s an opportunity for Jake O'Brien to play very high in this lineup.” (Chris, 26:09)

2. Team Canada: Defensemen & Goalies

(Segment starts: 30:16)

Blue Line: Unanimity at the Top, Uncertainty Deeper

• Consensus Top 4: Sam Dickinson, Zayne Parekh (confirmed available by Eric Francis), Kashawn Aitchison, Harrison Brunicke.
• 3rd/4th RD: Ben Danford, Keaton Verhoff—“the questions are which of those players Canada actually gets.” (30:52)
• Left side depth is “bleak” if Dickinson isn’t loaned. Discussion focuses on:
  • Cam Reid: “They were very eager to get Cam Reid there... he's right there amongst the lefties.” (Chris, 35:05)
  • Jared Woolley, Owen Protz, Xavier Villeneuve: Make the “who rounds out the D” debate.
  • Villeneuve’s Role: “If you have a Villeneuve, you know exactly what his utility is... You know when to insert him.” (Chris, 41:51)

Goalie Situation

(45:32–48:19)

• Split between Carter George (“I think he was Canada’s best player at last year’s World Juniors...” – Scott, 47:37) and Jack Ivanovic (“Ivanovic just looks spectacular this year... reminds me a lot of Juuse Saros at the same age.” – Corey, 46:36).

3. Team USA: Depth Chart & Debates

(Segment starts: 50:41)

Forwards: Top 9 Clear, Secondary Roles Debated

• Broad agreement on a core group: James Hagens, Teddy Stiga, Brody Zeimer, Max Plante, Will Horkoff, Cole Eiserman, Trevor Connelly, Cole McKinney, AJ Spellacy, Shane Van Sagic, and Camille Bednarak.

• Key Theme: Lack of natural centers after Hagens.

  • “There aren’t many good centers in this group.” (Scott, 52:14)
  • “It was the story of their age group—it was basically just the Hagens line... secondary scoring is going to be a story in the middle round games.” (Corey, 54:00)

• Notable Quotes:

  • “I think it’ll probably end up still being James [Hagens at C], but the fact that it is already, that it’s happening on his current team... little concerning to me.” (Scott, 60:41)

• Bubble Forward Roster:

  • Riker Lee, LJ Mooney, Cullen Potter, Jack Murtagh as 13th/14th forward possibilities.
  • “If I was actually making this team, I would take him [Lee] over LJ Mooney. I don't know that Bob Motzko is going to take him over LJ Mooney, but I would.” (Corey, 54:43)
  • On top checking line: “That’s the exact kind of line that you want checking the Canada line.” (Max, 62:00)

• JP Hurlburt’s [WHL scoring leader] hopes: “If you search JP Hurlburt's name in the USA Hockey database, it comes up with files empty.” (Chris, 62:51)
  “0.0% chance.” (Scott, 63:10)

Defense: Right Side Strength, Left Side Shallow

• Locks: Cole Hutson, Adam Kleber, E.J. Emery, Dakota Raue-Mullen, Luke Asborne.
• “This is a good core. I don’t know that it’s going to wow you... Cole Hutson has the potential to be one of the very best defensemen at the World Juniors.” (Max, 64:21)
• 7th/8th D: Considerations for Blake Fiddler, Jacob Rombach, Chase Reid (strong OHL season)— but little likelihood for meaningful ice time.
  • “I think Chase Reid has made a very compelling case to be in camp...” (Scott, 65:03)
• On power play: “You could just have Cole Hutson play the entire power play and call it good.” (Scott, 67:14)

Goaltending: Big Red Flag

• Nick Kemp is the consensus #1. “Kemp is the only option and will be the only option for them as the number one goalie.” (Scott, 72:30)
• Massive drop-off behind him: “Probably the weakest goaltending crop I’ve seen here.” (Scott, 74:52)
• “You just have to hope that one of those guys is going to have his A game in that setting, because otherwise it’s going to be a long tournament—or a short tournament.” (Scott, 75:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It's all about trickle down—one domino turns into another domino turns into another domino. Suddenly there’s an opportunity for Jake O’Brien to play very high in this lineup.” (Chris Peters, 26:09)
• “If you have a Villeneuve, you know exactly what his utility is... You know when to insert him into the lineup.” (Chris Peters, 41:51)
• “0.0% chance... It is for the reasons you mentioned. It is the political thing.” (Scott Wheeler on JP Hurlburt, 63:10)
• “I think it’ll probably end up still being James, but... little concerning to me.” (Scott Wheeler on James Hagens’ usage, 60:41)
• “You just have to hope that one [USA] goalie has his A game in that setting, because otherwise it’s going to be a long tournament—or a short tournament.” (Scott Wheeler, 75:36)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 02:12 – Episode theme, method, and Team Canada forward pool introduction
• 03:58–08:56 – NHL prospect (Sennecke, Misa, Catton, Kindel) availability breakdown
• 09:57–24:36 – Debates over secondary forwards, stylistic fit, & bubble players
• 30:16 – Transition to Team Canada’s defense (availability issues, depth)
• 45:32 – Canada goalie debate (George vs Ivanovic)
• 50:41 – Team USA forward pool begins
• 54:00 – Center depth concerns, how to maximize a thin group
• 62:41 – Checking lines, forward depth for Team USA
• 63:43 – US D core, evaluation of bubble D options
• 72:30 – USA goaltending: Kemp as reluctant #1, general lack of confidence

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as an honest, nitty-gritty “war room” on-the-fly debate about the razor-thin calls, possible “snubs,” and strategic priorities driving the upcoming World Juniors for Canada and the USA. The panel’s depth, context, and candid disagreements offer essential insight for fans wanting to understand how these high-stakes, “best on best” youth hockey rosters take shape.

Summary prepared for listeners interested in in-depth prospect debates and real-time team-building strategy ahead of the 2026 World Junior Championships.