The Athletic Hockey Show

Episode: World Juniors Medal Round Preview

Date: January 1, 2026

Hosts: Max Bultman, Scott Wheeler, Corey Pronman

Episode Overview

This special, live edition of The Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series previews the World Junior Championship medal round, breaking down the major storylines from the round-robin stage, analyzing each contending team's strengths and weaknesses, and spotlighting standout draft-eligible players. The panel also reacts to freshly announced and projected Olympic rosters for Canada and the USA, debating the surprising omissions of stars like Connor Bedard and Adam Fox. The conversation is honest, detailed, and full of sharp insight into NHL prospects and the future of international hockey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Canadian & USA Olympic Roster Reactions

Connor Bedard’s Omission from Team Canada

• The hosts react to Bedard not making the initial Olympic roster, despite his strong year.
• Scott notes that GM Doug Armstrong claimed Bedard’s injury wasn’t a factor; Bedard simply wasn’t in the plans prior to the injury ([02:39]).
• Bedard is on the standby list; Sam Bennett and others are also there as potential replacements.
• Corey acknowledges Bedard as a “bubble guy” due to size/physicality concerns, but thinks there was still a case to include him (“there are forwards in this group who aren’t big, who aren’t fast…so I do think there was an argument for him.” – Corey, [04:23]).

Notable Team USA Omissions: Adam Fox & Jason Robertson

• The panel discusses how both Fox and Robertson are likely to miss the Olympic roster.
• Scott: “Wasn’t surprised that Adam Fox was left off… would Adam Fox be on my roster? Yes… but wasn’t surprised, quote, unquote.” ([05:57])
• On Robertson: “I was a little surprised that they took, say, a Tage Thompson over a Jason Robertson. Jason Robertson scored 20 goals in his last 23 NHL games… been one of the most consistent point producers… there was a role for him as a 13th, 14th forward.” – Scott, [06:23]
• Corey emphasizes the skating limitations of both omitted players and USA Hockey’s desire for guys who can “handle the pace at even strength” ([07:47]).
• Notable quote: “He skates like he can barely skate properly—he’s so gangly…it’s obvious, anybody, he’s not a good skater. And it’s not, he’s a great player—his skating has always been awful.” – Corey (on Robertson), [08:41]

World Juniors Medal Round: Tournament Wide Open

Canada’s Vulnerabilities & Tournament Parity

• The hosts agree the tournament is “wide open”—Canada is 4-0 but none of their wins were convincing ([11:59]).
• Corey compares it to the Vancouver tournament with no clear top team or player, making the knockout rounds unpredictable ([12:20]).
• Scott and Corey both raise major concerns over Canada’s blue line and bottom-six depth; goaltending (Carter George) has been a weakness ([13:24], [13:27]).

Team USA’s Struggles

• USA has been the “worst team in this tournament” among big nations, according to Scott—goaltending is “awful,” blue line diminished after Cole Hutson’s injury, and there’s a lack of center depth ([14:17]).
• “Their goaltending is awful. Their blue line without Cole Hutson… you could tell it was going to be a problem. They can’t keep the puck out of the net… For a team like Team USA to… move so many centers to the wing… they have to try wingers at center because they don’t have depth… Riker Lee has been a huge disappointment… Cole Iserman has been a huge disappointment.” – Scott, [14:17]
• Team injuries—Max Plante and Trevor Connelly out—have compounded lineup issues. The top power play unit features young, less-experienced players ([15:42]).

USA Goaltending Decisions

• Max is surprised by Brady Nolling’s start in the key game, but Corey explains it was a “wide open competition”: neither of the older goalies seized the job, and Nolling, a tall and talented option, was worth a try ([16:34]).

Standout Teams and Players

Sweden: Rising Favorite

• Sweden impresses the panel, led by Anton Frondell and two top draft eligibles, Stenberg and VGO (Viktor) Bjork ([17:47]).
• Bjork singled out as “the most impressive draft eligible in this tournament”—showing skill, creativity, maturity, and rising draft stock:
  • “Bjork has been good in every single Swedish game for me. He’s playing center in their top-six, takes key faceoffs, showing craft and creativity… he’s been very, very impressive for Sweden.” – Scott, [18:11]
  • Bjork compared to Marco Rossi; could rise to a “top 15” draft pick ([19:14]).
• Stenberg has flashed at even strength; McKenna’s numbers are strong but he has not dominated, per the group ([20:07], [21:02]).

Canada’s Michael Hage & Zayne Parekh

• Hage lauded as the possible front-runner for tournament MVP depending on Canadian results ([23:17]).
• Zayne Parekh: “If anyone’s truly elevated and had defining moments… I think Zayne Parekh is probably the closest.” – Corey, [23:29]
• Media may gravitate toward Hage for overall MVP, but Parekh standing out consistently on the blue line.

Czechia, Finland & Other Standouts

• Czech defenseman Adam Juricek receiving big minutes and Norris-level praise. Scott: “He’s been excellent. He has played more minutes than anybody in this tournament… not just the overtime between the legs goal, he’s been involved offensively, competing defensively.” ([24:49])
• Thomas Galvas, also Czech, described as one of the best skaters of the tournament, despite going undrafted ([25:57]).
• Team USA’s Chase Reid and Latvia’s Albert Šmits both singled out, but Reid more impressive; could be a top-10 draft pick and stepped up after injuries ([26:33]).

Outside the Big Five Hockey Nations

• Scott: “Thomas Černko has been excellent. He’s tied for the tournament scoring lead… the skill level is legit.” ([31:10])
• Corey highlights Czech forward Nastrasil and notes Switzerland’s consistently strong performances in tight games ([32:15]).

Medal Round Predictions (Post-Pool Play)

Corey Pronman ([33:35])

• Gold: Sweden – “I like the way Sweden’s team is rolling top to bottom... they got some good older players stepping up.”
• Silver: Canada
• Bronze: Czechia

Scott Wheeler ([34:09], [35:47])

• “I would probably still lean Canada… I still think they’ve got the game-breakers.”
• Calls out Canada’s defensive zone issues and missing Sam Dickinson.
• Bronze: Czechia

Max Bultman ([35:26])

• Gold: Sweden
• Silver: Canada
• Bronze: Finland

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Bedard’s Omission:

  • “The injury didn’t play a factor… he wasn’t going to be on the team even prior to the injury.” – Scott Wheeler, [02:39]
  • “You got a 5'10" guy who’s a 20-year-old... not an elite skater… how’d he hold up physically at even strength? I’m sympathetic to that argument.” – Corey Pronman, [03:57]

• On USA’s Roster Choices:

  • “They have a really good mix for Team USA… I do think there was a role for [Robertson]… he’s been one of the most consistent point producers in the league.” – Scott Wheeler, [06:23]
  • “He skates like he can barely skate properly—he’s so gangly… not a good skater... His skating has always been awful.” – Corey Pronman (on Jason Robertson), [08:41]

• On Team USA’s Tournament:

  • “They’ve been the worst team in this tournament… their goaltending is awful… their blue line without Cole Hutson immediately… you could tell it was going to be a problem.” – Scott Wheeler, [14:17]

• On Sweden’s Draft Eligibles:

  • “Bjork has been good in every single Swedish game for me… he’s been very, very impressive for Sweden.” – Scott Wheeler, [18:11]
  • “He’s probably the most impactful player at even strength among all the draft eligibles in a single game.” – Corey Pronman (on Stenberg), [19:42]

• On Canada’s Leaders:

  • “If the media was voting today, I think Hage would be the front runner to win MVP.” – Corey Pronman, [24:12]
  • “If anyone’s truly elevated and had defining moments… I think Zayne Parekh is probably the closest.” – Corey Pronman, [23:29]

• On Czech’s Defensemen:

  • “He has played more minutes than anybody in this tournament… he’s been excellent.” – Scott Wheeler (on Juricek), [24:49]
  • “Galvas has a case as the best skater in this tournament.” – Scott Wheeler, [25:57]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:56] Start of main hockey discussion: Olympic roster talk
• [02:35] Reaction to Connor Bedard missing Team Canada
• [05:57] Adam Fox and Jason Robertson omitted from Team USA
• [11:59] World Juniors medal round focus; tournament parity
• [14:13] Deep dive into Team USA’s struggles and injuries
• [16:34] USA’s goaltending uncertainty and Nolling decision
• [17:47] Sweden’s rise and key player performances
• [18:11] Spotlight: VGO Bjork as draft riser
• [21:02] Assessment of McKenna’s tournament and draft implications
• [23:17] Canada’s Michael Hage and Zayne Parekh for MVP/top D
• [24:49] Czech defensemen Juricek and Galvas highlighted
• [26:33] Chase Reid vs. Albert Šmits: USA/Latvia draft stock
• [30:11] Shoutout to teams and players outside major hockey nations
• [33:35] Post-pool medal round predictions from panel

Conclusion

This episode delivers an in-depth, energetic breakdown of the World Juniors medal round, with special attention to prospects’ NHL potential and the complexities shaping both Olympic selection and junior international hockey. The roundtable’s honest, evidence-based debates and predictions make this an essential episode for hockey prospect enthusiasts and World Junior followers alike.