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2022 World Juniors Opening Day – LA Kings Prospect Preview

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Finally. FINALLY!

It’s time for the 2022 World Junior Championships. For the second straight year, the best tournament on the planet will emanate from Alberta, Canada. Usually, the WJC alternates between a location in Europe and North America – flip flopping back and forth each winter. However, with the pandemic throwing everything into chaos over the past two years, the schedule has been a bit wonky. Next year, the action moves to Russia, followed by Sweden, then things will return to the U.S. in December 2024 (for the 2025 WJC, as the year of the tournament always ties to the date in January when the gold medal will be awarded), and the rumored location in Las Vegas. That’s well down the road, though, so let’s get back to the present.

After sending nine prospects to the WJC each of the past two years — grades on each of their performances available here — the LA Kings have six prospects in this year’s event:

Brock Faber – USA

A top-5 prospect in the Kings system, Faber is expected to turn pro at the end of his college season. LA moved up in the 2020 NHL Draft to select the Minnesota native 45th overall (in part, using a pick they had previously received from Vancouver in a deal for Tyler Toffoli). Faber was one of the breakout stars on defense for Team USA at the 2021 WJC, helping them win gold. He’ll serve as an alternate captain this time around.

Helge Grans – Sweden

The final player cut from Team Sweden as they departed for the WJC last December, this will be his redemption tour. Originally drafted by the Kings in the second round (35th overall) at the 2020 NHL Draft, Grans has been playing in North America this season. The 19-year-old defenseman has recorded 8 points (3G, 5A) in 16 games thus far with the Ontario Reign. He is expected to be on Sweden’s top defensive pairing and get power play time.

Martin Chromiak – Slovakia

He scored one of the few goals to get past Canada goalie Devon Levi in last year’s tournament. Once again, for a Slovakia team needing offense, Chromiak will have top line responsibilities and look to continue the torrid pace he’s set in the OHL over the past few months, recording 32 points (13G, 19A) in 23 games. While he primarily plays alongside projected No. 1 pick Shane Wright in Kingston, Chromiak has been opening eyes with his own abilities and has actually outscored him to date. He recently signed his Entry Level Contract with LA and is expected to play in the AHL next season.

Samuel Helenius – Finland

You’ll be hearing a lot about Helenius over the next two weeks. Standing 6-foot-6, he’s penciled in as Finland’s 3C and should see a large amount of time on the penalty kill. At last year’s tournament, he produced 4 points (2G, 2A) in 7 games. According to Mark Yannetti, Kings Director of Amateur Scouting, Helenius could turn pro and head to North America as early as this coming summer.

Kasper Simontaival – Finland

If Finland has any success in this year’s tournament, expect to hear his name often. Simontaival helped his native country earn a bronze medal last year and they’ll be looking for more this time around. With 7 points in 7 games at the 2021 WJC, the slick forward returns to play first line minutes and will spend time on their top power play unit.

Kirill Kirsanov – Russia

After the Kings moved up to get him at the Draft last July, Kirsanov will now see time on Russia’s top defensive pairing. He’s another player Yannetti believes could potentially turn pro as early as this summer. Rather quietly, he’s a player Kings management is very high on. This will be his second WJC after playing 7 games in last year’s event.

LA Kings Select Kirill Kirsanov No. 84 – What You Need to Know

WJC DAY 1 SCHEDULE

All six LA prospects are in action on Day 1, and two games will include some Kings on Kings Crime…

Finland v Germany (11am PST)
featuring Helenius and Simontaival

Russia v Sweden (1:30pm PST)
featuring Kirsanov and Grans

Czechia v Canada (4pm PST)

Slovakia v USA (6:30pm PST)
featuring Chromiak and Faber

Group A is comprised of Canada, Finland, Germany, Czechia, and Austria. While Group B includes the United States, Russia, Sweden, Slovakia, and Switzerland.

Pool play will continue through New Year’s Eve. Then, the Quarterfinal games will take place on January 2, followed by the semifinals on January 4 and then the medal games on January 5.

LA had at least one prospect on the gold, silver, and bronze medal teams last year. Additionally, a Kings prospect has scored the game winning goal in each of the past two gold medal games. Can one of this year’s crop complete the WJC hat trick?

Games will be televised on NHL Network, with all Team USA games featuring Stephen Nelson on play-by-play. Per tradition of the past few years, he recently joined Kings Of The Podcast for a tournament preview — linked below for your reference.

RELATED CONTENT:

World Juniors: Grading the Performance of Nine LA Kings Prospects

Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 117 – WJC Preview with Stephen Nelson, Plus Notes on LA Roster Plans

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Lead photo via USA Hockey

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