Catching The Torch: Habs North American WJC invitees and what to expect

The 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship is just around the corner. Six Montreal Canadiens prospects have received their World Juniors invites. They are Owen Beck, Filip Mesar, Vinzenz Rohrer, Joshua Roy, Riley Kidney, and Lane Hutson. Swedish prospect Adam Engström will also be attending his country's camp. Patrik Bexell's European scouting reports have you covered on that.

Lane Hutson is a freshman defenceman at Boston University Terriers. He is second on his team in scoring with 18 points, including seven goals, in 16 matches on the season. Huton has been invited to Team USA's World Juniors selection camp. He doesn't turn 19 until February. If he doesn’t make the cut this year, he likely won”t be ignored the next. The fact that Hutton is even at the U20 squad‘s selectioncamp is testament to how impressive he and his numbers have been this season and he is eligible for the 2024 World Junior Championship.

Owen Beck was invited to Team Canada's U20 camp. He is a two-way forward who plays for Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL. Beck has put up 33 points in 24 games since his OHBL debut. He has improved his game in terms of physicality, east-west play and pace of play. If TeamCanada retains him, they will have a faceoff-taker, goal-scorer, defensive stalwart and transition-driver.

Joshua Roy is a forward for Sherbrooke Phoenix in the QMJHL. He played in last summer's World Junior Championship. Roy's lack of high-end pace and agility limited his contributions in transition. However, he is clinical with the puck. He should get some looks to the left of Connor Bedard or Shane Wright.

Riley Kidney, C, went down in the USports preparatory match and didn't return. Kidne led the QMJHL with 41 points in 28 games. He is a good stickhandler and playmaker, but his game needs to improve to be effective against the better defencemen. He struggles with puck protection mechanics and inside play. The best chance for Kidner is to make the final cut as a 13th forward.

Filip Mesar is a rookie playing for Kitchener Rangers in the OHL. He has 10 goals and 12 assists in 17 games. Mesars is considered a top-three Slovak at this tournament. His team is struggling, but he is still a good player. The World Junior tournament is the perfect place for Mesara to showcase his offensive skills and elite off-puck positioning. He will not be overbearing and will learn some lessons from the other players. It is not as overburdening as in an NHL. it is more about adapting to the physicality of the players and the environment.

Vinzenz Rohrer is a forward and centre playing for the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL. He has 31 points in 26 games. Rohner and Luca Pinelli are good partners. He is also very physical and his game is very refined. The Habs” scouting team mentioned that one of the prospects they interviewed answered their question about what animal describes them best with “mosquito“.