The Nashville Predators prospects will be on display this holiday season, as the young talent not in the NHL or the professional ranks head north of the border to help their countries try to achieve gold.
The IIHF 2025 World Junior Championship tournament, which will take place this Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Ottawa. The NHL Network will broadcast every game in the United States, while TSN broadcasts the contests in Canada.
The Predators are sending six players to three countries national teams. Three players will be going to Canada's camp, with two more going to the US and one to Czechia.
Nashville Predators will be represented well at 2025 WJC
First up for Canada is Tanner Molendyk. The 1st round 24 overall pick in 2023 currently has 21 points in 21 games for the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL. He has not played on a World Juniors team before, but has represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. A smooth skater, he would by a dynamic offensive option from the blue line for Canada.
Matthew Wood is in camp and has previously played for the World Junior team twice. Once for the Under-18 for the 2023 tournament and for the Under-20 team for the 2024 tournament. He has spent the last few seasons playing NCAA hockey. He played the previous two seasons at UCONN before transfering to Minnesota this season. A large rugged winger, he's a proven scorer who looks better with each passing season. He was Nashville's 1st round 15th overall pick in 2023.
Finally, there's Andrew Gibson. Originally drafted by Detroit, he was swapped during a draft deal with Nashville sending the Tampa Bay Lightning’s second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and forward Jesse Kiiskinen over to them for Gibson. The defender is putting up points and PIMs for the Soo Greyhounds and previously represented Canada as a member for their Under 18 WJC team in the 2023 tournament.
For Team USA Joey Willis is in camp in the midst of his best OHL season currently. He's wearing an "A" for the Saginaw Spirit and is on pace for nearly 90 points. The 2023 4th rounder was picked by the Predators 111th overall, and has been opening a few eyes lately. Breaking into the hotly contested Team USA roster would help elevate him in a lot of eyes in the organization.
Teddy Stiga is a familiar face around Team USA and is all but a lock to make the team. He's been with the USA team in some capacity since the 22-23 season. Currently he's having a good season with Boston College. The 2024 2nd rounder was taken 55th overall by the Predators.
Finally for Czechia there is Jakub Milota. The 6'1 goaltender was the Predators 2024 4th round 99th overall pick. He doesn't have huge size, but with the success of Juuse Saros being undersized the goalie staff could work with Milota. He's been a core member of the Czechia hockey system, playing with the national team in some capacity since he was 17. Now in the QMJHL he's the primary starter for the Cape Brenton Eagles.
We don't know if all of the prospects will make it, players like Joey Willis and Tanney Molendyke have been left out in the cold before. It has been a good sign though that prospects have been invited to the selction camps in all positions.