Canada
Tanner Howe
Forward
2024, 2nd Round (46th Overall)
Tanner Howe, a Pittsburgh Penguins 2024 second round pick, looked as advertised for Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship despite a disappointing tournament for the host country. Howe skated mostly on a line with former Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Brayden Yager and played with a physical edge, skated on the top penalty kill unit, and chipped in offensively with a goal in a quarterfinal loss. Howe showed a willingness and ability to play in a specific role and remains a bright spot in the prospect pool.
Finland
Kalle Kangas
Defense
2023, 7th Round (Overall)
Kalle Kangas, a Pittsburgh Penguins 2023 seventh round pick, arguably exceeded expectations at the 2025 World Junior Championship. The 6’6″ blueliner compensated for below average skating ability with size, poise, and strong positional play and looked calm and capable breaking the puck out of the defensive zone. Kangas logged big minutes on the penalty kill and consistently cleared opposing players from the front of the Finnish net, helping the team win a Silver Medal. Definitely a project, Kangas proved to be a prospect worth keeping tabs on over the next few seasons.
Emil Pieniniemi
Defense
2023, 3rd Round (91st Overall)
Emil Pieniniemi, a 2023 Pittsburgh Penguins third round pick, played a big part in a Silver Medal finish for Finland at the 2025 World Junior Championship, scoring the opening goal of the tournament for the team and looking confident in the offensive zone and quarterbacking the power play. Defensively, Pieniniemi needs further development but showed a willingness to play with physicality. Pieniniemi, in ways positive and negative, played a style similar to Kris Letang.