Zadina, Veleno, and others are World Juniors bound

It’s that time of year again, where we see some elite prospects and then judge them on a couple of games. Some of the World Junior camps were announced today and the Red Wings have some key prospects representing their nations.

Zadina was named to the Czech’s World Junior camp roster and will definitely have a top-line role on that team. With other high-level forwards like Filip Chytil, Martin Kaut, and Martin Necas, this Czech team will be one of the most entertaining in the tournament. They might be able to shock the hockey world and get in a medal position.

The Wings’ top prospect has been doing well as of late down with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Currently has five points in his last five games, he has stayed consistently dangerous on both the powerplay and at even-strength. This season he has a total of 7 goals and 8 assists in 22 games played.

After winning a couple of awards in the QMJHL and getting multiple viral highlights, Veleno has pretty much been seen as a lock to make Canada’s WJC camp.

Scoring at an insane rate of 1.8 P/GP, Veleno is currently leading the QMJHL in that category. He seemed like a pretty big steal at 30th overall last June and is proving that with his recent play.

This Canadian team is completely stacked on forward, so there might be a shocker of Veleno not getting selected for the final roster – still an outside chance, but be prepared.

Also making the Canadian WJC camp is Wings defensive prospect Jared McIsaac. Selected 36th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, McIsaac has certainly impressed in the QMJHL like his Canadian Wings prospect peer.

Scoring 7 goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 20 games played so far this season, the 19-year-old blueliner will most like improve on his totals from last season.

Both Veleno and McIsaac represented Canada last year in the U18 tournament, so they are no strangers to the Hockey Canada program.

Additionally, Wings prospect and Finnish forward Otto Kivenmaki was not selected for the Finland camp. It was not really expected he would, but he had an outside chance to join some very good Finnish talent at the tournament.

The American team will be announced later next week, so goalie prospect Keith Petruzzelli might be named to that roster. We will find out.

The World Juniors start December 26th and finish on January 5th in Victoria, BC. Hopefully, all of the Red Wings prospects shine and get more hype surrounding them.