We are approaching the most wonderful time of the year to be a hockey fan. The 2026 edition of the World Junior Championships is fast approaching as we head into preliminary action. This year, the Montreal Canadiens have four prospects who are expected to participate in the tournament. Let’s take a look at which Canadiens prospects could be participating in the event and analyze their potential impact for their respective countries.
Montreal Canadiens World Junior Prospects
Aatos Koivu
The son of former Habs legend Saku Koivu, Aatos Koivu, was drafted in the third round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens. He made a strong impression at Montreal’s development camp back in September. The 19-year-old will have a chance to play a big role on the Finnish team in this tournament. With the absence of Konsta Helenius, he is expected to be one of his country’s top centremen. Koivu is currently having a strong season with TPS Turku in SM Liiga. He projects to be a depth centerman for the Canadiens in the future.
Michael Hage
Michael Hage is the Canadiens most intriguing prospect in the tournament and potentially in their system as a whole. He has been lighting it up with the University of Michigan during his second season in the NCAA. He was the second of two Canadiens first-round selections in the 2024 NHL Draft at 21st overall. Hage opened the pre-tournament action for Canada on the team’s top line alongside Gavin McKenna and Brady Martin. That line found some early success as they factored in on both goals in the team’s 2-1 victory over Sweden. There is reason to believe that the trio will remain together to begin the tournament. Regardless, Hage will be one of the go-to options offensively for Team Canada in their pursuit of Gold.
Montreal Canadiens fans and brass alike are hoping that Hage can be the answer to their second-line centre problem in the future. It’s unclear when he will make the jump to the NHL level, but after two dominant seasons in Michigan, there isn’t much left to be offered for him at the collegiate level. As a result, we may see the Canadiens attempt to sign him at the conclusion of his season.
Carlos Handel
Carlos Handel is a name that is likely unfamiliar to most Canadiens fans. The right-handed defender was a sixth-round selection by the club in the most recent draft. He is currently playing in his second season for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. Team Germany already announced their official roster, so Handel has already been confirmed to have made the squad. He may only be 18 years old, but on a roster with few NHL-drafted talents, he should play a prominent role.
L.J. Mooney
L.J. Mooney is viewed as one of the steals of this past draft by many Canadiens fans. The diminutive forward joins Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson as undersized American players who have fallen in the draft to Montreal. At only 5’8″ Mooney was a fourth-round selection by the Habs. After following in the footsteps of the two aforementioned Canadiens players and playing with the USNDTP, Mooney is having a productive season for Minnesota in the NCAA.
Mooney will need several seasons of development before he can factor into the Canadiens plans. However, he should immediately factor into Team USA’s World Junior plans. The United States is icing a weaker lineup than what we have seen over the past few seasons. As a result, the 18-year-old Mooney should see top-six minutes. As an underager at the tournament, he should also be a shoo-in for next year’s tournament.
Montreal has no shortage of talent at the 2026 edition of the World Junior Championships. Fans will experience a glimpse into the team’s future as the tournament opens on Boxing Day.
Main Photo: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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