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The Anaheim Ducks have four prospects that will be competing for spots in the upcoming World Junior Championship tournament hosted in the Czech Republic.
WJC Groups
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Group A | Group B |
| Finland | United States |
| Switzerland | Russia |
| Sweden | Canada |
| Slovakia | Czech Republic |
| Kazakhstan | Germany |
Headlining the Ducks prospects is 2019 9th overall pick Trevor Zegras, currently having a great season centering Boston University’s top line with 17 points in 16 games. Joining him in fighting for a spot on Team USA is 5th round pick Trevor Janicke. He has 10 points in 16 games this season for University of Notre Dame and is realistically a long-shot candidate to make the team with this being one of the strongest American squads in World Junior history.
Lukas Dostàl is another name to watch. He will likely be the Czech Republic’s number one goaltender after a stellar performance at last year’s tournament. The 19-year-old is currently playing for Ilves in Finland where he is backstopping them to a .924 SV% against grown men, good for the fourth best save percentage in Liiga while having played more games than any of the players ahead of him.
Benoit-Oliver Groulx rounds out the Ducks hopefuls. Groulx has broken out since being drafted by the Ducks in 2018 and is currently the captain of the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. The center has gotten off to a fantastic start this season putting up 41 points in 26 games, following up his stellar draft +1 year where he tallied 80 points in 65 games.
Zegras, Dostàl, and Groulx will likely make their respective teams, while Janicke will have to have a standout camp to make his way onto the American roster. Final roster selections will be made within the next two weeks.
The 2020 U20 World Junior Championship will take place from December 26th, 2019 - January 5th 2020 in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic.