Flyers expected to compete in 2026 World Junior Championship – The Hockey Writers – Philadelphia Flyers
There are just three weeks left until the 2026 World Junior Championship, an international event that brings together the best players in U20 hockey. The Philadelphia Flyers will have a lot to look forward to thanks to a deep and star-studded prospect pool. Which of their young players could head to Minnesota for a gold medal opportunity?
Jack Berglund, center/left back, Sweden
Jake Berglund is essentially certain to return after being named to Sweden’s squad last year. However, the 2024 second-round pick was injured in the pregame, so this will be his first real taste of the World Junior Championship.
Berglund is now a regular depth forward in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), scoring five points in 20 games this season. In what I’ve seen so far, he’s played in the neutral zone and contributed to the rotation – valuable in high-stakes international matches.
Since this is his last year of eligibility for the World Junior Championships, I expect Berglund to make at least Sweden’s middle six. As a player with professional experience, he has an advantage over many opponents in this regard.
Jett Luchanko, center, Team Canada
Jeter Lushanko actually performed well despite limited usage in Canada’s quarterfinal defeat last year. He’s poised to improve on the ice this time around and could be a top-six candidate.
RELATED: Flyers top 10 prospects: December 2025 edition
Lukanco’s playmaking ability and speed should come in handy. Of course, this tournament is a completely different game, but the 19-year-old center is a controlled field force in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His talent suggests that energy will also take center stage on the international ice.
Expectations are high for the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. If he can do that, he might become a Canadian hero.
Porter Martone, RW, Team Canada
Porter Martone should be on everyone’s radar. He joins Gavin McKenna and Matthew Shaffer as the only draft-year or younger players on Team Canada’s 2025 roster, and here’s why: His talent is jaw-dropping.
Being drafted sixth overall by the Flyers might give them a steal, as crazy as that sounds. As a freshman at Michigan State, Martone scored 19 points in 14 games, and he did it while averaging just 16 minutes and 39 seconds per game.
Martone is big (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) with elite hockey sense and an incredible skill level. For the 19-year-old winger, a first-line role could mean dominance.
Heikki Ruohonen, center, Finland
Another returner, Heikki Ruohonen, should be playing for Finland this winter. The 19-year-old center dished out four assists on the way to silver medal last time out, so he should at least be rewarded with a top-nine finish.
The Flyers’ 2024 fourth-round pick has been playing hockey in North America since last season. In the 2024-25 season, he accumulated 39 points in 49 games in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He transferred to the NCAA this season and scored five points in nine games at Harvard.
A 6-foot-2, 205-pound player, Ruhonen makes the most of his size on both ends of the ice. He’s a somewhat under-the-radar prospect in the Flyers’ system, but he could bolster his stock with another impressive performance.
Shane Vansaghi, RW/LW, Team USA
Shane Vansaghi, the Flyers’ 2025 second-round pick, was one of 28 players named to Team USA’s preliminary roster. With just three advancements to go, he has a good chance of helping the Red, White and Blue compete for back-to-back gold medals.
Vansaghi’s reason for joining was simple. The 19-year-old is an anticipatory threat and hits the ball like a seasoned pro. Additionally, he’s able to run some skilled offensive plays and play well in both directions — an X-factor in the bottom six.
Max Westergård, left back, Finland
Max Westergård is the only 18-year-old on this list, but you might not expect that. He’s an undersized winger who’s just old enough to enter the 2025 NHL draft, but he’s already played 14 games for the SHL’s fast-growing Frölunda HC.
reasoning? Westergård’s engines are truly elite and capable of winning a battle with anyone. His energy causes problems for defenders, even in arguably the second-best hockey league in the world.
Additionally, Westergaard scored six points in five games at last spring’s U18 World Championships. He’s a midfield six-minute candidate, but he can really thrive anywhere.
Do you think these rising stars will be selected for the 2026 World Youth Championship? What are your expectations? Welcome to leave your thoughts in the comment area!
