The annual competition that hosts the world's best Under-20 players will be held in Canada for a third consecutive year and the host country will attempt to defend its title after a 2022 victory.
Last year the Canes were set to match tournament history by
having 10 prospects play for their countries at the event
before COVID-19 pushed the competition to August for the first time. This year the team will have four draft selections representing three different nations.
Blake, a 2021 fourth round selection by Carolina, will play at the event for the first time after beginning his freshman season at North Dakota with impressive numbers. A high-scoring forward and son of former NHLer Jason Blake, the 19-year-old has 21 points through his first 19 NCAA games, supplementing his 77 points in 61 games in the United States Hockey League (USHL) last year.
Heimosalmi, 19, will skate for Finland for a second time. In August he produced seven points in seven games as a defenseman for his team, playing a key role in guiding his country to a silver medal. Despite his young age, the 2021 second round selection is currently in his second season of playing in his country's top league (Liiga), representing Ässät.
Like Heimosalmi, Koivunen is also in his second campaign of Liiga play and will represent Finland for a second time at the U-20 event. The 2021 draft pick had 10 points in seven games two years ago at the U-18 level and will be in search of his first point at this level of play this time around.
