GOTHENBURG, Sweden – New Year’s Eve is traditionally one of the biggest nights of the year at the World Junior Championship. Big rivalries, important games and memorable moments have been the norm and while Canada won’t have their traditional big NYE game, other teams will.

Before the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship has even begun, Canada’s had to shift its roster, particularly on the blue line. Hockey Canada announced Saturday that defensemen Ty Nelson and Jorian Donovan have been named to the team’s roster as previously-announced defensemen Tanner Molendyk (NSH) and Tristan Luneau (ANA) will not be able to participate for medical reasons.

Hockey Canada announced Thursday that Ottawa Senators draft pick Jorian Donovan has been added to the team's pre-tournament camp. The Brantford Bulldogs defenseman's addition comes after Nashville Predators first-rounder Tanner Molendyk went down with an apparent injury during Canada's pre-tournament game against Switzerland Friday.

We’ve talked a lot about the depth of the 2023 NHL Draft for years and that there was a number of high-end prospects that were going to make a significant dent in their prospect pools. Perhaps there is no greater indication of the quality of the class in the sheer number of organizations that have drafted their new No. 1 prospect.

As we close the book on the 2023 NHL Draft, we’re already looking ahead to 2024. While we don’t have another Connor Bedard to track, we will have some exceptional talents that have potential to rise up the ranks throughout the season.

It’s the final stages of the 2023 NHL Draft season as all of the draft-eligible players have completed anything they can do on ice at this point. The playoffs across junior hockey and relevant European leagues have all concluded, international tournaments have handed out their medals. All that’s left is the NHL Scouting Combine this week in Buffalo and then NHL teams start making picks in Nashville on June 28.