We are now a few days removed from what was an excellent showing by Calgary Flames prospects in Minnesota. While only Cole Reschny and Zayne Parekh represented the organization at the event, they rose to the occasion and each turned in a very successful tournament.

With the tournament returning to Canada next year — hosted by Edmonton and Red Deer — it could be a great opportunity for Flames fans to see the next wave of prospects suit up for their respective countries.

While the Flames featured a quality-over-quantity approach at this year’s tournament, the organization appears primed to offer a bit of both quality and quantity next winter if all the pieces fall into place as the national teams begin to take shape. With that in mind, here’s a look at who could be in the mix for next year’s World Junior Championship.

After an impressive first World Juniors, Reschny will likely get a second opportunity to chase gold next year.

The forward scored four goals and added one assist for five points in seven games for Team Canada. Reschny returned to the University of North Dakota, where he is putting together an impressive freshman campaign. Reschny is averaging just over a point per game and, with another season in the NCAA ahead of him, he appears close to a lock to return to Team Canada next winter.

Reschny filled an important role this year, contributing on both special teams while emerging as Canada’s go-to option in the face-off circle. If he returns, his responsibility and importance should only grow, and the sky’s the limit for what he could accomplish at the tournament.

Arguably snubbed from this year’s American World Junior roster, Potter is following a path similar to the one Parekh experienced. After being left off the team, Potter has been tearing it up at Arizona State University while the national team failed to medal at the World Juniors

The Flames’ first-round pick recorded a hat trick and an assist en route to being named NCHC forward of the week for the second time in December. If that isn’t a message to Team USA, it’s hard to know what is. Overall, Potter has 12 goals and 13 assists in 22 games this season, already setting career highs with plenty of hockey still to play.

Potter will enter his junior year at Arizona State next season, and if he continues at this pace, it should be an easy decision to include him on next year’s World Junior roster.

The Flames’ fifth-round pick has made a name for himself this season. From being relatively unknown to working his way into the conversation for a potential spot on this year’s American World Junior team, Wyttenbach was ultimately left off the team. Given the Americans’ results, they may wish they had found room for him.

Wyttenbach got off to a hot start at Quinnipiac University. Through 20 games, he has 11 goals and 16 assists, tying him for the lead among all NCAA freshmen and tied for eighth overall in scoring, just ahead of fellow Flames prospect Potter.

He may not be the biggest player at five-foot-10, but he has shown — albeit in a small sample size — that he can score and perform well at this level. If he maintains this pace, he could be a strong candidate for Team USA next winter.

The Flames’ third-round pick from last year’s draft didn’t attend the World Juniors this season but still enjoyed international success in December. Competing at the Junior A World Challenge, Phillips recorded one assist and eight penalty minutes while helping the United States capture gold.

After two years in the U.S. National Team Development Program, Phillips is now playing for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, where he has one goal and three assists in 21 games. The six-foot-six stay-at-home defenceman is committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2026–27 season.

Phillips will likely need to play his way onto Team USA rather than being a sure thing, but his name should be in the conversation heading into the tournament.

Stockselius likely would have represented Sweden at this year’s World Juniors if not for injury. A skate cut has left him sidelined since the beginning of October limiting him to just nine games played this season split between his SHL club and their J20 club. He’s progressing from his injury well and when he returns, he’ll play the rest of the season in Sweden.

Fortunately, Stockselius remains eligible for next year’s tournament and should get his chance to experience the event while attempting to help Sweden defend its gold medal.

Sweden typically favours 19-year-olds at the World Juniors, a category Leander will fit into next season. While he may be more on the outside looking in compared to other prospects on this list, he should still have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. Six of the eight defencemen Sweden rostered this year will age out, opening the door for new faces.

Playing in Sweden’s junior league with HV71, Leander has one goal and five assists in 22 games. Known primarily as a reliable stay-at-home defenceman, offensive production is not his speciality.