NHL Draft Risers, Fallers And Major Takeaways From U18 World Championship
FRISCO, Texas – The 2025 IIHF World Men’s Under-18 Championship has come to an end. Canada has gone back-to-back as the tournament champion for the first time in the event’s history, Sweden settled for silver once again and USA got a bronze medal on home ice. One reason for the event’s popularity is it is […]
FRISCO, Texas – The 2025 IIHF World Men’s Under-18 Championship has come to an end. Canada has gone back-to-back as the tournament champion for the first time in the event’s history, Sweden settled for silver once again and USA got a bronze medal on home ice.
One reason for the event’s popularity is it is one of the final and best viewings we get of the season’s NHL Draft class. There were upwards of 200 NHL team personnel including many of the league’s general managers that attended the tournament.
There were a lot of takeaways from the tournament, both as it pertains to individual players and the draft class as a whole. Here’s a look at the major takeaways, including which players helped and some that may have hurt their draft stock at this late stage of the season.
The Tournament Was Indicative of a Weaker Draft Class
The World U18s confirmed something that anyone that has been following the class has known for some time. The 2025 NHL Draft is especially shallow on talent.
These players are going to develop more over time and there will absolutely be gems to be mined from this group, but at this stage of the overall development of these players, there just aren’t as many legitimate NHL prospects as you’d hope to see.
It’s why we saw fewer 2025 NHL Draft picks move at the trade deadline and why teams are concerned that there may not be many takers when it comes to trades around draft day.
I’ve been to 10 U18 World Championships in person and this was the weakest field I have seen in all of those trips. I felt similarly about last year’s tournament, but there were at least a number of high-end prospects to track. That number was much smaller this year.
A big part of the tournament’s shallowness and lack of competitive games stems from Russia still being banned from international competition, but even so there’s far more to it than that.
It’s a down year in the United States, a massively down year in Finland, which was ousted in the quarterfinal. Switzerland, which has been trending down for years now, actually got relegated from the top level for the first time since 2006. They lost in a shootout to Norway, which had a lot of players that can return next year.
These things go in cycles. In talking with scouts, however, outside of the top several players for next year’s class led by Gavin McKenna, they’re not seeing a huge amount of upside for 2026 either. It’s still pretty early in that process, though.
So let’s get to the players and who stood out and who did not.
Prospects Rising After U18 World Championship
Let’s be clear about one thing first. Players are not going to dramatically change their draft stock playing at the U18s. It’s another data point in a series of them when it comes to evaluating top players. That said, there can be small changes, new information and at least the opportunity to give scouts a lasting impression on what they’re all about. Here are some players that did that this week.
Brady Martin, Canada
The hard-hitting Martin showed the value he can bring to any team. He’s a sturdy player who collected a lot of big hits, which only enhances the value generated by his clear skill. Martin had 11 points in the tournament including a pair of goals in the gold-medal game and was named to the all-tournament team. He is a player you notice every shift.
That is why Brady Martin is going to be a first round pick in the 2025 #NHLDraft!
At 5-foot-11, Jack Ivankovic will have teams that simply skip over him. But as players like Dustin Wolf have shown, sometimes you have to ask yourself how many times a player has to prove himself. Ivankovic, who led Canada to a title at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, played even better in Canada’s route to the gold medal. The quality of competition wasn’t all that strong until the end, but he delivered in every game. In six appearances, he allowed just six goals, posting a .961 save percentage. He should be a mid-round pick, but I do wonder if a team tries to jump the line for a goalie with superior hockey sense and poise in the net.
Milton Gästrin, Sweden
Aside from the final against Canada, which was a rough one for all of the Swedish players, I thought Gästrin showed the full range of his ability in the tournament. He’s not a graceful skater, but he won puck races and showed an extra gear I did not see before. He plays a heavier game and is good around the net. He finished with 10 points while captaining the team. I think there’s a stronger case for him to land in the first round, which is where he was trending towards anyway.
LJ Mooney, USA
The odds are stacked against players that are 5-foot-7 or shorter and that’s where Mooney is at this stage. However, he played some of his best hockey of the season at the biggest moment. He was Team USA’s most consistent driver and led them in scoring with 11 points. He made tons of plays, but what stands out to me is how fearless Mooney is. He had some good body checks, gets to the interior well and showed the quick-twitch skills that could make defenders miss. I wonder if a team takes a chance on him as early as the fourth round, because he’s a player I’d want to give a chance to.
Filip Ekberg, Sweden
Ekberg was the MVP of the tournament and an unlikely source of massive points. He had 18 in the tournament, most ever by a Swede in the tournament. He ranks in the top-10 all-time and is tied with Alex Ovechkin, Cole Caufield, Gabe Perreault and Mikhail Grigorenko. He’s tied for sixth in single-tournament goals with 10. I’m not saying he’s going to jump a round or two here. He’s still a mid-round pick, but I do think he showed more of the skill and hockey sense he can bring despite not being the biggest player.
He wears the “C” in Seattle for the Thunderbirds and he wore it for Team Canada. Cootes didn’t wow me by any means, but he played very well. He had a slow Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and his production was fine, not amazing in the WHL. That said, he does a lot of little things well, can be relied on in all situations and has an emotional maturity to him that makes him an effective leader. He had 12 points in the tournament as one of Canada’s leading players.
Will Horcoff, USA
This is going off of more from what I heard from scouts than my personal opinion on this one. Though Horcoff had just four points in seven games, I heard from NHL personnel that they saw improvement in his game from when he was at the NTDP earlier in the year. Horcoff left midseason to enroll at Michigan early and made an instant impact for the Wolverines. He returned and helped Team USA with his big frame, playing physical and being disruptive.
Cullen Potter, USA
With eight points in the tournament, he made his impact felt. Potter can change any game with his speed. He just needs to finish a bit more consistently on what he can generate. Seeing him against his own age group reminded me of how impactful he can be. That wasn’t always on display in college, but it’s a clear separator for him in this class. I think Potter has a better chance at going in the first round than I did before the tournament, but I do still want to see him complete more plays. With that skating and skill combination, though, he looked like a clear first-round talent, particularly in this class.
Prospects With Stock Stable After U18 Worlds
Jackson Smith, Canada
Smith had four goals and one assist in the tournament from the back end, but I also think he didn’t show us anything we didn’t already know he could do. He’s a highly-mobile player with size. The questions that remain come down to hockey sense and his ability to think the game at the pace needed to play it at a high level. His execution was a little off at times, and it looked like decisions need to come quicker. He’s still poised to be a top-15 or top-20 pick in this draft, but I did think some of his flaws were exposed.
Radim Mrtka, Czechia
Mrtka is a bit of an enigma as a prospect. He’ a 6-foot-6, right-shot defenseman defenseman who can skate and make a few plays. But there are questions about his compete level and physicality, which I thought showed up once again in this tournament and do give me pause. He can’t lose battles at his size against his own age group. That said, he’s got so many tools that NHL teams are going to see the upside for him. He could be a top-10 pick yet.
Sascha Boumedienne, Sweden
Boumedienne set the tournament’s record for points by a defenseman with 14. You would think that would put him in the risers category, but I think we saw against tougher opponents that there were some wildly questionable decisions made with and without the puck. The reason Boumedienne is still a surefire first-round prospect for this draft is that he is a high-end skater who can make a difference at both ends of the ice. The only problem, as one scout put it to me, there are times where it looks like he will keep both teams in the game. There’s a lot to like, but there is a lot of room to grow. That was known, but further confirmed in this tournament.
Boston University freshman defenseman Sascha Boumedienne has set a new single-tournament scoring record at the IIHF World U18 Championship!
Moore very quietly had points in every game at the World U18s, finishing tied with LJ Mooney for the team lead with 11. He has been talked about as a potential first-rounder and I think he’s a better fit for an early Day 2 pick. There’s some upside there with his skill and hockey sense, and as he gets stronger he should be more effective. I don’t think he did a ton to help himself, but did less to hurt himself at this tournament.
Blake Fiddler, USA
Fiddler came from outside the NTDP and quickly became USA’s No. 1 defenseman. That said, I don’t know that he seized the opportunity fully. He has good mobility and size, which separates him. But there were definitely moments where the pace ate him up a bit and his decisions weren’t coming quick enough with or without the puck. I think there’s a lot of ability to be mined and his potential is only just starting to be scratched. I did come out of the tournament wanting a little more from Fiddler.
Prospects With Stock Falling After U18 Worlds
Anton Frondell, Sweden
Frondell came to the tournament late, flying in directly after Djugårdens earned promotion to the SHL. He missed two games before arriving two hours before the game against USA in the prelims and he stepped right into the lineup. Frondell finished the tournament with three points, continuing an alarming trend of sub-par showings within his own age group. Every GM in the lottery was at this tournament and he was the only prospect they were probably there to see. He did not look like the player challenging for a spot in the top three as has been suggested. I have been a big Frondell fan since my first viewings of him last season, but this was a let-down, even with the cross-continental travel. Three points in a weak tournament just won’t cut it.
Cole McKinney, USA
Let me preface this by saying I’ve got a lot of time for Cole McKinney and I think he’s going to be a solid player and a borderline first-round prospect. He just picked a bad time to not have his best. He finished the tournament with five points and USA needed more from him. His two-way play is a big benefit, but I don’t think we saw him showcase the full complement of his skill set. He’s the classic player that does everything well, but nothing truly elite. I still think he’s going to play in the NHL, but this was a tough week of hockey.
Jack Murtagh, USA
Murtagh’s identity on Team USA is that of a scorer. As a top-six winger who can find the net, he had just two goals and six points in the tournament. I’ve liked the way he’s played most of the year, but he was harder to spot at U18 Worlds. He was being talked about as a fringe first-round candidate, but I think there may be fewer believers in that lofty position after this event. This wasn’t a great last impression.
Cameron Schmidt, Canada
He played his best game in the gold-medal game, which was a good reminder of how he can impact a game with his speed and skill. That said, I thought we’d see Schmidt open things up more offensively. There were also instances of poor decisions and occasionally trying to do too much. At his size, he has to play a very clean game and not give people excuses to doubt what he can bring to the table. I don’t think that happened here and I expect Schmidt to slip into the mid rounds, possibly the second half of the draft.
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State College Juneteenth celebration | Penn State, State College News
Despite the rain, the State College community gathered downtown Saturday for a block party celebrating Juneteenth with music, dance, cultural traditions and powerful reflections. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The theme was “Juneteenth: […]
Despite the rain, the State College community gathered downtown Saturday for a block party celebrating Juneteenth with music, dance, cultural traditions and powerful reflections.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The theme was “Juneteenth: Our Freedom, Our Fight, Our Future,” which shaped the spirit of the day through performances, speakers and community engagement.
“Liberty without equality is unfinished,” Chiluvya Zulu, the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging director for the Borough of State College, said. “Our future is being written right now by the leaders, the artists, the activists, the educators and the children in this very crowd.”
The celebration began at noon with a performance by the Marching Cobras, a high-energy band from New York that set the tone for the day.
Attendees were then welcomed by Charles Dumas, award-winning actor, director and Penn State professor emeritus, who encouraged the crowd to reflect on the importance of freedom and unity.
Following him, Jacinta Garcia, Native and Indigenous community coordinator at Penn State, delivered a moving Ganonyok Thanksgiving Address, acknowledging the land, creator, labor and all elements of creation.
Flowers and a flag sit on a table during the annual Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in State College, Pa.
Alexandra Antoniono
A central feature of the celebration was the Juneteenth art exhibition curated by Dr. Grace Hampton, professor emerita of art at Penn State.
The gallery featured works that reflected themes of freedom, ancestry and collective memory.
“Art tells the stories that history books often forget,” Hampton said. “For me, curating this exhibit was about honoring the struggles and triumphs of our people and giving visual life to the spirit of Juneteenth.”
Hampton, who traveled to Ghana with a group that set up outdoor health clinics for over 18 years, sees art and service as intertwined forms of community healing.
“Juneteenth is about remembrance, but also about vision — about remembering how we have changed, evolved and how we are growing and learning every day,” she said. “It’s an honor to be here and to help in remembering how we resist and rebuild across generations.”
Also present was a sense of global connection, as Dr. Hampton highlighted her community’s annual mission to Ghana.
“Each year we choose a different region, set up a clinic, and try to serve as many people as possible,” she said. “It’s our way of continuing the legacy of service beyond borders, we like to come here and openly narrate those stories too.”
The celebration included performances by local poets and a music set by Gabby Samone, an emerging pop-R&B artist from Baltimore.
At 3:45 p.m., the crowd swayed to the soulful rhythms of Brencore MOTOWN, a band from Washington, D.C.
Gabby Samone, an American Idol contestant, performs onstage during the annual Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in State College, Pa.
Alexandra Antoniono
One vendor, Yasoda Mensah, traveled from Port Royal to participate in the event. Her business, Trifolia, sells natural products made with herbs and offers “a connection to the values of restoration and education.”
“We’re here to support the whole idea of Juneteenth,” Mensah said. “This celebration is proof that the spirit is still strong. The ancestors are still with us, and events like this show that their fight, their presence and their power haven’t disappeared — they live on in us.”
Attendees danced to performances by Urban Fusion, Izuba, Natalia Velazquez and Home Planet before concluding the celebration.
“I’ve never felt a community moment quite like this,” Eric Ian Farmer, one of the performers, said. “Rain or shine, we showed up for each other — and that’s what Juneteenth is about.”
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Stanley Cup Final 2025 Game 5 live updates: Panthers vs. Oilers highlights and analysis
The Oilers are looking for their fifth multi-goal comeback win of the postseason and the third of the Stanley Cup Final. If they pull it off, they would tie the NHL record for both marks, both of which are held by the 1987 Flyers. A win tonight would also give the Oilers back-to-back multi-goal comeback […]
The Oilers are looking for their fifth multi-goal comeback win of the postseason and the third of the Stanley Cup Final. If they pull it off, they would tie the NHL record for both marks, both of which are held by the 1987 Flyers.
A win tonight would also give the Oilers back-to-back multi-goal comeback victories. Only three teams in all of history have managed to pull off that feat: Kings in 2014, Flyers in 1987 and Red Wings in 1950.
Milner gets Brighton extension for 24th season with a Premier League record in sight
Associated Press BRIGHTON, England (AP) — James Milner will get another chance to become the player with the most appearances in the Premier League era. The 39-year-old midfielder, who is 15 appearances short of Gareth Barry’s record (653), has signed a one-year contract extension with Brighton. Milner sustained a serious knee injury that limited him […]
BRIGHTON, England (AP) — James Milner will get another chance to become the player with the most appearances in the Premier League era.
The 39-year-old midfielder, who is 15 appearances short of Gareth Barry’s record (653), has signed a one-year contract extension with Brighton.
Milner sustained a serious knee injury that limited him to just four league games last season. He made his 638th appearance on the last day of the season, coming off the bench in a 4-1 victory over Tottenham.
“Last season he wasn’t able to help the team on the pitch as much as he would have liked, but around the squad his experience is invaluable, especially for the younger players,” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said in the team’s announcement Friday.
“He’s a great guy to have in our environment, who is always there for me and the team,” said Hurzeler, who is seven years younger than Milner. “I’m looking forward to working with him again.”
Milner, who will turn 40 in January, made his debut at age 16 for Leeds in November 2002.
He’s entering his record-extending 24th season overall and third at Brighton — he made 15 league appearances in the 2023-24 season — after eight years at Liverpool. Milner has also played for Manchester City, Aston Villa and Newcastle.
Milner made 61 international appearances for England from 2009-16.
Williamsport — Marshall, Parker & Weber, an estate planning and elder law firm founded by Jeff Marshall, widely recognized as the “Father of Elder Law,” celebrated its 45th anniversary with area professionals on May 22 at its 29th Annual Professional Update. The 29th Annual Professional Update featured “The Year in Review” by Principal Matthew […]
Williamsport — Marshall, Parker & Weber, an estate planning and elder law firm founded by Jeff Marshall, widely recognized as the “Father of Elder Law,” celebrated its 45th anniversary with area professionals on May 22 at its 29th Annual Professional Update.
The 29th Annual Professional Update featured “The Year in Review” by Principal Matthew J. Parker, where Parker reviewed what has changed in the past year regarding seniors and a look at what lies ahead for the law and regulations. The second session was a panel comprised of Nathan Grenoble, Grenoble Funeral Homes; Loni Kline, senior VP for college relations and chief philanthropy officer at Pennsylvania College of Technology; and Principal Tammy A. Weber, addressing “End of Life Planning for Clients.”
The three panelists focused on planning for one’s intentions at death, drawing unique correlations between funeral, philanthropy and Medicaid planning. Cathy Sikorski, Esquire gave the keynote presentation, “Can We Talk?” Sikorski, an elder law attorney, author and caregiver, gave a humorous but meaningful take on the benefits of professional collaboration.
“We’ve been at the forefront of elder law for over four decades, and we know how essential it is to stay up to date with the ever-changing landscape,” said Parker. “This year’s Professional Update highlighted the latest legal developments, trends, and strategies to help professionals better serve their clients.”
MPW also provides no-cost information to the community through its monthly series Open-Door Sessions. These free, in-person sessions provide community members with the chance to ask estate planning and elder law questions directly to Marshall, Parker & Weber’s Certified Elder Law Attorneys, offering expert guidance on issues that can often be overwhelming.
“At MPW, we believe that no one should have to navigate these topics alone. That’s why we’ve opened our doors to both the community and the professionals who serve them,” said Weber. “As the field of Elder Law continues to evolve, we want to ensure that people have the support they need to make informed decisions. These Open-Door Sessions are our way of giving back, as we’ve always done.”
Police say they have recovered writings in a car used by suspect in shooting of Minnesota lawmakers
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — Police have recovered writings that mentioned the names of multiple lawmakers and other officials in the fake police car they believe a suspect used in the shooting of two legislators in Minnesota. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said that the writings that were recovered identified many lawmakers and other […]
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — Police have recovered writings that mentioned the names of multiple lawmakers and other officials in the fake police car they believe a suspect used in the shooting of two legislators in Minnesota.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said that the writings that were recovered identified many lawmakers and other officials. The writings were discovered when officers searched a phony police car they believe the suspect used.
Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her spouse were shot and killed early Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home. A second state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, were shot multiple times in Champlin. Officials say both Hortman and Hoffman were mentioned in the suspect’s writings.
“When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,” said Bruley.
Authorities were actively searching for a suspect in the hours following the shootings.
Gov. Tim Walz said Hortman and Hoffman were deliberately targeted.
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz said at a press conference Saturday. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman and his wife have one daughter. He represents a district north of Minneapolis.
At the time of her death, Hortman was the top Democratic leader in the state Legislature. She was also a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect.
Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said. A “shelter in place” order was in effect early Saturday.
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.
“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,” he said.
Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman’s house after an exchange of gunfire with police.
The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,” Bruley said.
President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.
“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words” by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark.
“With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said in a statement.
The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.
GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.
“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well,” Giffords said. “An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”
Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
’s fifth of the 
