Six prospects ready for World Juniors

MONTREAL -- The Canadiens will have six prospects participating in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins Monday in Halifax and Moncton.

Forward Joshua Roy is seeking a second consecutive gold medal on home soil.
The 19-year-old played an impactful role in Canada's triumph in Edmonton this past summer, registering eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in seven games.
The QMJHL's leading scorer last season is enjoying another outstanding campaign offensively, amassing 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in 26 appearances with the Sherbrooke Phoenix before joining the Canadian contingent for the tournament.

Defenseman Lane Hutson, meanwhile, is garnering a lot of attention heading into his first World Junior appearance with the Americans, and with good reason.
He was outstanding for Boston University in the fall, registering 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) and a plus-7 differential in 16 games as a freshman.
The 18-year-old was named Hockey East Defender of the Month in October and November because of his productivity and dynamic play for the Terriers.
If there were any questions about Hutson's adaptability to the NCAA due to his size, they were quickly put to rest in the fall.
Hutson proved to be a force on the blueline from the get-go, and his future is incredibly bright.

Forward Filip Mesar will undoubtedly be a key player for the Slovaks.
He should be brimming with confidence given his production with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers this season, amassing 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 17 games.
The 18-year-old's transition to North American ice has been rather smoothe to say the least, even without his good buddy Juraj Slafkovksy by his side in Ontario.
Mesar was on a four-game point streak when he departed Kitchener to join the Slovak contingent in Eastern Canada, collecting eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) during that span.

Forward Oliver Kapanen is getting his second taste of the World Juniors.
The 19-year-old picked up a goal and an assist in August en route to helping Finland claim silver.
He's in the midst of a good season with KalPa in the SM-liiga, having produced 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 31 games.

Forward Vinzenz Rohrer will be an important piece of the puzzle for Austria.
The 18-year-old enters the event with impressive numbers during his second OHL season.
Rohrer has 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) and a plus-19 differential in 26 games with the Ottawa 67's.
He's clearly on pace to surpass the 48 points (25 goals, 23 assists) he generated in 64 appearances when he initially made the move from Europe last year.

Defenseman Adam Engstrom is making his World Junior debut for Sweden.
The 19-year-old transitioned from Rogle's U20 squad to their big club earlier this season.
He has five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in 23 appearances for the Swedish Hockey League squad.
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