World Junior Championship: Top 20 Players from the 2022 Summer Tournament

EDMONTON – What a month.

After having to restart fresh in August due to COVID-19’s rein of terror on the usual Christmas time affair, the 2022 World Junior Championship managed to go off without a hitch in Edmonton this month. Canada beat Finland 3-2 for gold in an unforgettable final, highlighted by Mason McTavish’s huge stick save before Kent Johnson scored at the other end.

Here’s a look at 20 standout performers over the past two weeks — not necessarily in order — that helped make the tournament so interesting:

Mason McTavish, C (CAN, Anaheim)
McTavish was named tournament MVP, which isn’t exactly surprising given his resume up until this point. He led the world juniors with 17 points — one of the highest outputs ever — and seemed to find chemistry with just about anyone. A big, strong, smart forward, McTavish is ready for the NHL — perhaps as a goaltender after that wicked save in OT on Saturday.