Artis Abols, who coached Latvia at the WJC, said this will allow teams to gauge how close Smits is to being NHL ready.
“He’s got good size, he’s a good skater,” Abols said. “Is this (Matthew) Schaefer, what he’s doing in the NHL? I think physically, (Smits) is ready.”
Suvanto (6-3, 207) scored two goals in seven games for Finland at the WJC, and the 17-year-old had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 30 games with Tappara.
“Oliver Suvanto is the most complete and mature 17-year-old center we’ve seen in Liiga since Aleksander Barkov,” Vuorinen said. “He has already been trusted in key roles for Tappara. His good skating, balance and physical strength make him very effective in faceoffs, battles and defensive coverage. A natural two-way player, he combines reliability and intelligence, rarely making mistakes while consistently supporting both ends of the ice.”
Hermansson (6-1, 181) has 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 24 games for MoDo. He also helped Sweden win the silver medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, recording 11 points (six goals, five assists) in five games, which tied for second among all players.
“He displays elite puck handling and offensive creativity, distinguishing himself as one of the most technically proficient prospects in Europe this year,” Vuorinen said. “His ability to carry the puck through traffic and create space for his teammates makes him a constant threat, particularly on the power play, where his one-timer and quick release are deadly. He demonstrates vision and patience, often manipulating defenders with deceptive stickhandling and creative passing plays. His offensive instincts consistently place him in high-risk scoring areas.”
Bjorck (5-9, 177) had eight points (four goals, four assists) in 25 games with Djurgarden and was a standout for Sweden at the WJC, recording nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games.
“He continues to demonstrate elite skating and creativity, distinguishing himself as one of the most dynamic young forwards in Sweden,” Vuorinen said. “His acceleration and point work are excellent in small areas, while his hockey IQ shines with smart puck movement and spatial awareness in tight spots. He plays with confidence and flair, using deceptive hands and quick release, particularly on his wrist shot, to generate dangerous scoring chances. His energy, forechecking and two-way engagement, along with his toolset, make him a valuable forward in any situation.”
Dmitri Borichev (6-2, 194) is the number one among international goalkeepers. The 17-year-old is 6-6-0 with a 1.79 goals-against average, .940 save percentage and three shutouts in 14 games with Loko-76 Yaroslavl in the Russian junior league.
