Many 2025 NHL draft talent will get one last chance to impress scouts at the World Men’s Under-18 Championship, which snuck up on the hockey world.
The event kicks off on Wednesday, as some of the top U-18 players from around the world will go head-to-head in Texas for the next two weeks.
NHL scouts get to see these players compete against their age group, and they’ll watch European players on the same ice as many North Americans.
So, who has the most to prove moving forward? Let’s look at some of the 2025 NHL draft prospects with the most on the line heading into the biggest tournament of their draft-eligible season.
LJ Mooney, C/W, USA
After missing a couple of months early in the year with a leg injury and coming back a little early for the CHL-USA Prospect Challenge, LJ Mooney has finally started to look like himself over the last couple of months.
The highly skilled, high-motor forward plays far bigger than his 5-foot-7 stature, engaging physically on the forecheck or along the wall. Mooney brings upper-tier skill as well, showing off some wicked hands and slick playmaking. A big U-18 tournament could help put him back on the map after falling down draft boards through the midway point of the season.
Filip Ekberg, RW, Sweden
Coming over to North America, Ekberg was slow to start the OHL season with the Ottawa 67’s. His skilled possession game didn’t exactly mesh with the brand of hockey Ottawa was playing, and he had to learn to play within the system.
In the second half of the year, Ekberg nearly doubled his production and looked far more comfortable. He used his speed and skill to play within the north-south style of game that the 67’s were playing.
Once a highly regarded prospect, Ekberg could do wonders for his draft stock with a big U-18 Championship.
Eric Nilson, C, Sweden
Every year, there seems to be a center from Sweden who raises their draft stock at the U-18s, thanks to an excellent tournament and steady 200-foot game.
This year, Nilson feels like a good bet to be that player. He’s already begun to rise on draft boards, but a solid tournament on a big stage could make him a definite first-rounder. His intelligent tactical play and ability to facilitate offense for his teammates are what he’s all about. He needs to fill out his 5-foot-11 frame, but Nilson is a really reliable, steady center, and NHL teams love that.
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Max Westergard, LW, Finland
Playing primarily at the U-20 level in Sweden, we saw Westergard get some Swedish League action in the playoffs, and he looked quite solid in those games. His skating is simply fantastic, bringing an element of speed that few others have. He’s also shown some excellent facilitation abilities this year.
The Finns as a whole have been underwhelming in the 2025 NHL draft class, but Westergard brings an element of pace and playmaking that could make him the highest-drafted Finn in June. A great performance and proving he’s a driver would be huge at the U-18 Worlds.
Michal Svrcek, C/W, Slovakia
Playing in Sweden with Brynas, Svrcek brings a level of dynamism and pace that few players at the U-18 level possess.
Svrcek plays like a dog on a bone, consistently looking to be involved in the play in all facets. When playing against men, he simplified his game and played within the structure.
Against junior-age players, he was much more creative and daring with his play, consistently looking to put defenders in a compromising position. He’s already one of the most underrated players in the draft, and a good performance in Texas would help more people understand that.
Luka Radivojevic, D, Slovakia
Coming to the USHL during the season, Radivojevic is a highly skilled puckhandler and shifty skater who can be a very solid offensive defenseman.
Some of his flashes of skill and playmaking really dazzle, but his defensive issues make him a bit of a risk. There is hope he can develop his defensive game through his skating, but he will need to prove he’s made progress in his own end against the best U-18 talent in the world for scouts to take him more seriously.
Adam Benak, C/W, Czechia
Benak’s stock may never have been higher after the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, where he was wowing fans and scouts with his stickhandling and passing ability en route to becoming the all-time tournament scoring leader, finishing second this year with 11 points.
Benak is listed at 5-foot-7, which will give teams pause, but he has immense skill and high-end offensive ability, which should lead to some team taking the chance. After a good but not great USHL season, Benak has one last chance on the international stage to show he should be drafted as highly as people thought coming into the season.
Vojtech Cihar, LW, Czechia
The consensus on Cihar among those in the public sphere has been that he’s a safe bet to be a solid bottom-six player who brings grit and physicality on the forecheck and a solid two-way game to go with it.
His offensive game is often referred to as “simple,” especially as he’s played against men all season. This will be an excellent opportunity to showcase his skills and offensive prowess against players his age.
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Jackson Smith, D, Canada
Canada enters the U-18s without many of its top players eligible for the tournament due to various reasons, including some players still competing in the CHL playoffs and injuries that have ruled them out of consideration. That leaves the Canadians particularly thin on the back end, but it should give Jackson Smith ample opportunity to showcase his tools and drive up his draft stock.
Smith has excellent size, nice puckhandling, fluid mobility and all of the tools to make him a solid two-way defender. Putting it together on the big stage would be a boon to his NHL draft ranking.
Braeden Cootes, C, Canada
Cootes will play a big role for Canada, regardless of which line he is on. He likely comes into the tournament as their best two-way center, with the motor to play in all situations.
Cootes' offensive numbers were solid in the WHL this season, and his defensive game never waned. He might not be the most dynamic or skilled player, but he plays a predictable game in the best way. Coaches know what they will get from him. If Cootes can show how versatile and important he can be on the U-18 stage, NHL clubs will be very happy to add him to their pipeline on draft day.
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