An integral part of watching the IIHF World Junior Championship is familiarizing yourself with the players before the games even start. Although some of the names may ring a bell, you can always count on several relatively obscure prospects to use the tournament as a stepping stone towarda greater level of fame and notoriety. Of course, it usually takes a major upset or clutch goal to vault a player into WJC lore, which is why most Finnish hockey fans wont forget the name Kasper Krog, the undrafted Danish goalie who in 2016 forced thedefending champions into the relegation round. WORLD JUNIORS: Just like in previous years, the 2019 edition of the tournament will showcase a significant number of either drafted NHL prospects or notable teenagers jockeying for draft positioning in 2019. On the periphery, however, will be a handful of prospects whowill be playing on junior hockeys grandest stage for the first time in their careers. The intrigue and suspense beginDec. 26, when 10 competing nations two from North American and eight from Europe kick off group play from Vancouver. Here is a list of 10 players whose names Johnathan Motley Jersey will be hard to forget once the tournament is complete. 10 players to watch at the 2019 World Juniors 1. Jack Hughes, C, United States Height: 5-10 | Weight: 168 | Draft: 2019eligible If there is one player in this highly-publicized tournament who is wired to handle the pre sures inherent in being considered the top prospect for the NHL Draft, its this offensive dynamo, who has been carrying teams his entire career. Fast, competitive and incredibly smart, Hughes is used to playing with a target on his back and thrives when the game intensifies. THE HYPE ABOUT JACK HUGHES 2. Vitaly Kravtsov, RW, Ru sia Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190 | Draft:Rangers (1st/2018) A strong case can be made that Kravtsov is the best teenage player in Europe, especially after he put on a clinic last November at the under-20 Four Nations tournament. His one-timer from the circle is deadly, but Kravtsov also can thread the needle and make nifty set-ups for his linemates. MORE: | 3. Kaapo Kakko, RW, Finland Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190 | Draft: 2019 eligible Kakkos competition with Hughes for first overall at the draft surely will intensify as the tournament progre ses, and for good reason. The big Finnish winger is a player who drives po se sion and plays with intensity, only he already has a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Jersey mature build and can out-muscle any opponent. MarkDec. 31 on your calendar as must-see hockey when Finland and the U.S. square off in the final game of group play. 4. Filip Zadina, RW, Czech Republic Height: 6-foot | Weight:190 | Draft: Red Wings (1st/2018) The recent collision during AHL action that forced Zadina to mi s some time apparently will not impact his WJC availability, so bad news for opposing goaltenders. The sixth overall pick in 2018, Zadina always seems to Kawhi Leonard Jersey elevate his game for these big tournaments, including a seven-goal performance at last years competition and clutch scoring during the Czechs gold-medal win at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. 5. Cody Gla s, C, Canada Height: 6-2 | Weight:185 | Draft: Golden Knights (1st/2017) The Canadians are loaded at center, but this Vegasprospect likely ends up as their most reliable and go-to playmaker. Gla s by his own admi sion was stung a bit after being cut by Team Canada for both the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and last years World Juniors squad, but his play for Team WHL against the Ru sians at last months under-20 Super Series showed hes more than ready to lead Canada in its quest for gold in consecutive years. WORLD JUNIORS: | 6. Mads Soogard, G, Denmark Height: 6-7 | Weight: 195 | Draft: 2019 eligible It wont be hard to mi s this aggre sive 6-foot-7 behemoth, who has steered the WHLs Medicine Hat Tigers to a playoff position despite facing almost 32 shots a game. Hes among the leaders in save percentage (2.39), and his quickne s and net coverage is advanced for a pre-draft teenager. As promising a prospect as he is, Soogards endurance and agility will be tested in front of the NHLs entire scouting community. 7. Valeri Orekhov, D, Kazakhstan Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170 | Draft: 2019 eligible A complete top-pairing defenseman who contributes in multiple areas, Orekhov is one of the KHLs best young defensemen after proving he was too good for the Ru sian junior circuit. Orekhovs skating is strong in every significant facet, and he can log a ton of ice time. If by chance the Kazakhs are holding a late lead or need a big penalty kill, you can count on this stud to be on the ice. 8. Valentin Nu sbaumer, C, Switzerland Height: 5-11 | Weight: 167 | Draft: 2019 eligible This will be Nu sbaumers second go-around at the world juniors, but the stakes from a personal standpoint may be a bit higher than last year. Still considered a strong draft prospect, Nu sbaumer has had the misfortune of playing for one the QMJHLs worst Danny Manning Jersey teams. Hell get the chance to make some noise thanks to a strong supporting case that should allow him to exploit his advanced puck skills. 9. Samuel Fagemo, RW, Sweden Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190 | Draft: 2019 eligible One of the best pure goal scorers to not hear his name called at last Junes draft, Fagemo is a key contributor for the SHLs Frolunda Indians. He develops instant chemistry with his centers and should see time on Swedens power play. 2019 DRAFT BIG BOARD 10. Linus Nyman, LW, Finland Height: 5-10 | Weight: 160 | Draft: 2019eligible The decision by Winnipeg Jets prospect Kristian Vesalainen to skip the tournament may be a ble sing in disguise for the Finns, as Nyman is a shifty playmaker with finishing abilities whos produced as a top-line winger at a handful of international events, including the November Four Nations. Nyman was pa sed over in each of the last two drafts but has proved himself against tougher competition in Finlands Liiga. Bonus: Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Finland Height: 5-10 | Weight: 192 | Draft: Predators (1st/2017) This well-traveled sniper will give Finland enough Bob McAdoo Jersey forward depth to ice two talent-heavy scoring lines, and look for Tolvanen to set up shop in his customary shooting zone inside the right circle. He drew criticism for not scoring enough in last years event (one goal in six games), which came in the middle of a record-setting rookie season in the KHL. Hes more than familiar with the North American game now, and his current stint with Nashvilles AHL affiliate in Milwaukee has progre sed without a hitch. Tolvanen scored his first NHL goal earlier this month and likely would see more ice time with the Predators had they not had a veteran roster gunning for a Stanley Cup