3 Blues prospects to play for World Juniors gold

The 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship is drawing to a close, and three St. Louis Blues are going for gold.

The gold medal game between Sweden and the United States begins Friday at 12:30 p.m. CT on NHL Network.

Jimmy Snuggerud, the No. 23 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, is representing the Blues for Team USA. He has seven points (five goals, two assists) in five games and has been one of the tournament's most lethal scorers. He sparked a 3-2 comeback win against Finland in the semifinals on Thursday with a power-play rocket that put the United States on the board.

There are two Blues playing for Sweden, both taken in the first round of the 2023 Draft: Otto Stenberg (No. 25) and Theo Lindstein (No. 29).

Stenberg has been one of the most dynamic scorers in the WJC. He has four goals and four assists, including a hat trick against Germany. With an assist in Sweden's semifinals win over Czechia on Thursday, he's tied for the seventh-most points at the tournament.

Lindstein turns 19 years old Friday, and he's looking for more than one reason to celebrate.

Despite being a late addition to the roster, Lindstein has given Swedish head coach Magnus Havelid no choice but to reward him with big minutes. Lindstein has been dominant on both ends of the ice. His eight points lead all defensemen at the World Juniors, and his +11 rating is the best of any player at any position. He notched a goal and an assist against Czechia.

Two more Blues prospects - Aleksanteri Kaskimaki (Finland) and Jakub Stancl (Czechia) - will play in the bronze medal game at 8 a.m. CT on NHL Network. 

For a full list of stats, interviews and more from the Blues at the World Juniors, go to www.stlouisblues.com/WorldJuniors.