In this issue of The Hockey News, we feature wall-to-wall coverage of the 2025 World Junior Championship, complete with previews of all 10 teams plus some of the most prominent players involved. Also in this issue, we shine the spotlight on San Jose's Tyler Toffoli, Philadelphia's Travis Konecny and a team from Haida Gwaii that really goes the extra mile.
MASTHEAD
ALL EYES ON CANADA’S CAPITAL
HOCKEY FOR THE HOLIDAYS
CABLE CUTTERS • More and more, NHL teams are bringing the game straight to their fans through streaming services as the landscape of sports media faces drastic change
BEHIND THE MASK
JERSEY HOUND
WJC SNUB-O-METER • As many future NHLers prepare for the WJC, keep in mind that playing in the tourney doesn’t make or break a career. From 2005 to the start of this season, here are the highest-scoring NHLers who never appeared in the world juniors
IN THE CARDS
TRUE GREATS IN OUR MIDST • The Hockey Hall of Fame should reconsider allowing for immediate induction because of generational luminaries Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin
THE COUNTDOWN • How do NHL teams’ bluelines stack up? In today’s game, the emphasis is decidedly skill over snarl
PUCK CULTURE • NHL players get the glory – and the hockey cards. But what about the people who run the league? Not as much glory – and not nearly as many hockey cards. But here are five times the league president – or commish – got cardboarded
THE NEXT BIG THING • Alexander Carmanov is a raw 16-year-old from the hockey hinterland of Moldova who needs to work on his skating – and, oh yeah, he stands seven feet tall and weighs 260 pounds
RESPECT IS EARNED • League-wide recognition doesn’t come easy in the NHL. Nor does a playoff berth. For Tim Stutzle and the Ottawa Senators, the time for stardom and contention is at hand
SUTTER-IN-LAW • Travis Konecny may not be an official member of one of hockey’s best-known families, but his attitude sure fits the Sutter brothers’ mold
DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SAN JOSE? • For Tyler Toffoli, it’s been a circuitous route back to California. But after years of bouncing around, he’s found a long-term home with the Sharks. And his nose for the net and head full of experience will be invaluable assets in San Jose
BUDDING INTEREST • The 2025 UFA class promises to be particularly strong – and intriguing – up front. And who better to drive that interest than a pair of headline-grabbing Leafs?
2025 WJC PREVIEW
BACK FOR MORE • Team USA returns as the defending WJC champs, and they’re absolutely loaded at every position as they take aim at a repeat
METTLE FOR GOLD • As Minnesota Wild prospect Zeev Buium prepares to battle for back-to-back WJC and NCAA titles, he believes he can be the player to come through in the biggest moments
SO MANY OPTIONS SO LITTLE SPACE • Canada’s talent pool runneth over, so after last year’s disaster, the 2025 roster construction will be about finding the right mix to get back on top
POTENT PROSPECT IN PROGRESS • Easton Cowan can put up points by the bushel, and he’s expected to do so in Ottawa. But a sturdy two-way game will be his eventual ticket to the NHL
THEO LINDSTEIN • He was named a 2024 WJC all-star after making Sweden’s lineup as a late replacement. This time around, Theo Lindstein enters the tournament expecting to play a key role
SCOUTING REPORT
EMIL HEMMING • Finland suffered a devastating defeat in the bronze-medal game at last year’s world juniors. Emil Hemming intends to make sure this year’s WJC ends on a better note
SCOUTING REPORT
MICHAEL HRABAL • After helping his squad to a huge upset and a bronze at the 2024 tournament, the big Utah prospect seeks to add another medal to the Czechs’...