(Gothenburg, SWE) -- Nine M&T clients will compete at the upcoming 2024 World Junior Hockey Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden from December 26, 2023 to January 5 2024.
Team Canada will feature forward Easton Cowan (Mount Brydges, ON) of the London Knights (OHL), and Ty Nelson (Toronto, ON) with the North Bay Battalion (OHL). Cowan, the 5.11, 175 lbs sophomore was the first round selection (28th overall) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has scored 12 goals and added 27 assists in 23 games to date for the Knights. Nelson the 5'10", 206 lbs blueliner was a third round pick in the 2022 draft to the Seattle Kraken. Nelson holds the franchise record for points in a season by a Battalion defenceman.
The Havelid twins -- Mattias and Hugo will play for Team Sweden. Mattias, a 5.11, 174 lbs defenceman, was the San Jose Sharks 2nd round choice (45th overall) in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The Taby, Sweden native has one goal and 7 assists to date in 26 games with Linkoping HC of the Swedish Hockey League.
His brother, Hugo is a 6.00, 170 lbs. goalie who suits up with Djurgardens HC (Allsvenskan) where he has played 7 games to date this year with a 2.77 GAA and an 89.0 save percentage.
Centreman Julius Sumpf (Moncton Wildcats) will wear the German colours. He is a 6.02, 195 lbs. winger is eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and played with the Red Bull Academy in the '22-23 season in Switzerland. This year with the Wildcats he has 11 goals and 17 assists in 30 games.
Forward Jonas Taibel (EHC Witherthur), defenceman Daniil Ustinkov (Zurich Lions-Swiss National League) and goalie Alessio Beglieri (Biel-Bienne) will represent Switzerland.
Ustinkov is a 6.00, 198 lbs. blueliner who is also eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and was a CHL Import selection of the OHL's London Knights in 2023.
On Team Latvia is centerman Rodzers Bukarts (Wenatchee Wild-WHL). The 5.11, 183 lbs. forward has 9 goals and 6 assists in 29 games this season.
Best of luck to all competing in the tournament!