The 2025 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships ended with Team USA bringing home the gold in back-to-back seasons, with the Canadians failing to medal for the second straight season.
The Flyers sent five prospects to Ottawa to represent their countries in the tournament; here is how they did:
Let’s start with the prospects that did not get the chance.
Jack Berglund, F, Sweden
Berglund made it onto the Swede’s roster but was unable to play in the tournament after suffering an injury in an exhibition game before World Juniors play began.
The 6’4″ center would have been an interesting name to watch during tournament play. Berglund started the year in the SHL, but just before the tournament started, he was sent to play for Karlskoga in the Swedish Hockey Allsvenskan. Now that tournament play has concluded, it will be worth watching as Berglund returns to action.
Carson Bjranason, G, Canada
Carson Bjarnason was named one of three goaltenders on Hockey Canada’s roster but the only one to never see in-game action.
It took Hockey Canada until after the first game to even add him to the initial roster. I’m sure the Flyers organization and fans were hoping to see Bjarnason in action, especially with the issues between the pipes for Philly. Bjarnason has returned to his WHL squad, the Brandon Wheat Kings, and will get back on the ice soon.
Along with Bjarnason, two other Flyers prospects represented Hockey Canada.
Jett Luchanko, F, Canada
Luchanko shocked many people when he made the Flyers’ initial roster out of training camp. Despite playing in every game for Canada, Luchanko did not see as much on-ice time as some of his teammates.
However, Luchanko did score his first career World Junior Championships goal in the team’s 3-2 shootout loss to Latvia. Despite the disappointing finish, Luchanko made the most of it and looked good during the time he got.
Oliver Bonk, D, Canada
Oliver Bonk’s World Juniors performance was a cause for debate, but the overall mismanagement of Bonk on the power play early proved pivotal.
The power play specialist was initially the quarterback of one of Canada’s power play units but eventually was moved back to his home in the bumper. Bonk eventually scored on the power play, proving once again that he belongs in the bumper.
Bonk also tallied an assist in Canada’s first game of the tournament, giving him two total points, the second most of any Flyers prospect in the tournament.
Heikki Ruohonen, F, Finland
Heikki Ruohonen quietly put together the best overall performance of any Flyers prospect in the tournament. The 6’2″ center earned a silver medal with Finland and tallied four assists, including a two-assist game in the Fin’s quarter-finals win over Slovakia.
The Finish centerman will return to his USHL club, the Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he has 12 points (5G, 7A) in 19 games.
