The 2023 World Juniors is in the rearview mirror. Canada defeated Czechia 3-2 in overtime in the gold medal game to become the first team to go back-to-back at the tournament since 2009.
So what's next? While there are plenty of big events upcoming in the NHL, NCAA and CHL seasons, it's never too early to get excited for the next World Juniors.
The U20 competition is unique because there is constant turnover on rosters year after year. Players age out of the tournament and new, younger blood is called upon to fill their spots.
Some of the top players from this year's competition are eligible to return in 2024, including tournament MVP Connor Bedard.
MORE: Every record Connor Bedard broke at the 2023 World Juniors
Here are some of the players that are eligible to play again at the 2024 World Juniors.
Who can return to play in the 2024 World Juniors?
The tournament, which is classified as U20, allows only certain players to participate. The easiest way to figure out who is eligible for any of the World Juniors is to take the year of the tournament and subtract 20. For example, at the 2024 tournament, any player who was born in 2004 or later can play at the games.
Let's look at the players who were at the 2023 competition and who can return for the 2024 tourney.
Canada
Canada's 2024 team is going to look extremely different than the one that won gold in 2023.
Nearly the entire team is aging out of the tournament, with just four players on the gold-medal winning roster eligible to play in the 2024 tournament. One of those is Connor Bedard, who not only can play in next year's tournament but is also eligible for the one in 2025.
However, given that Bedard will be selected in the 2023 NHL Draft and likely make the transition right to the NHL, there's a good chance we have seen the last of him at the World Juniors.
| Player | Position | NHL Rights (Draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Owen Beck | Forward | Canadiens (2022 2nd round) |
| Connor Bedard | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Adam Fantilli | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Kevin Korchinski | Defenseman | Blackhawks (2022 1st round) |
USA
The United States is in a good position for the 2024 tournament. After finishing with bronze in 2023, the Americans have 11 players that they can bring back next year.
All three members of USA's top line — Logan Cooley, Jimmy Snuggerud and Cutter Gauthier — are eligible for the competition in Sweden. With that said, it wouldn't be surprising if Cooley is with the Coyotes next year and does not come back for a third World Juniors.
In addition, goaltender Trey Augustine, who had an up-and-down 2023 campaign, can backstop the USA again.
| Player | Position | NHL Rights (Draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Trey Augustine | Goalie | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Gavin Brindley | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Ryan Chesley | Defenseman | Capitals (2022 2nd round) |
| Logan Cooley | Forward | Coyotes (2022 1st round) |
| Cutter Gauthier | Forward | Flyers (2022 1st round) |
| Lane Hutson | Defenseman | Canadiens (2022 2nd round) |
| Rutger McGroarty | Forward | Jets (2022 1st round) |
| Andrew Oke | Goalie | Undrafted |
| Jimmy Snuggerud | Forward | Blues (2022 1st round) |
| Charlie Stramel | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
Czechia
A big reason for Czechia's success in 2023 was the previous World Juniors experience many of the players had. The team had 16 players from its 2022 roster return in 2023, so it's no coincidence that the team was built for a deep run.
That is far from the case for 2024. Only six players are eligible to return for next year's roster and the defensive core, which was the team's strength, will need almost an entire overhaul.
However, among those potential returnees is Jiri Kulich, who led the team in goals and points and was named to the media All-Star team.
| Player | Position | NHL Rights (Draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Ales Cech | Defenseman | Undrafted |
| Tomas Hamara | Defenseman | Senators (2022 3rd round) |
| Jiri Kulich | Forward | Sabres (2022 1st round) |
| Eduard Sale | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Robin Sapousek | Forward | Undrafted |
| Matyas Sapovaliv | Forward | Golden Knights (2022 2nd round) |
Sweden
Sweden has 11 players that can return to its team in 2024.
There is going to be a lot of experience on that blue line, as Calle Odelius, Axel Sandin Pellikka and Elias Pettersson all played significant minutes for the Swedes. Filip Bystedt can return after finishing in a tie for first on the team in points.
| Player | Position | NHL Rights (Draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Filip Bystedt | Forward | Sharks (2022 1st round) |
| Leo Carlsson | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Jonathan Lekkerimaki | Forward | Canucks (2022 1st round) |
| Jakob Noren | Defenseman | Undrafted |
| Calle Odelius | Defenseman | Islanders (2022 2nd round) |
| Liam Ohgren | Forward | Wild (2022 1st round) |
| Noah Ostlund | Forward | Sabres (2022 1st round) |
| Elias Petterrson | Defenseman | Canucks (2022 3rd round) |
| Oskar Pettersson | Forward | Senators (2022 3rd round) |
| Axel Sandin Pellikka | Defenseman | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Fabian Wagner | Forward | Jets (2022 6th round) |
Finland
After a disappointing showing in 2023, the Finns have just seven players eligible to return in 2024.
Joakim Kemell would be seen as the go-to guy again on offense. His four points were tied for the team lead. Finland can certainly use some new blood after struggling to score at this past competition.
| Player | Position | NHL Rights (Draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Leeni Hameenaho | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Aleksanteri Kaskimaki | Forward | Blues (2022 3rd round) |
| Joakim Kemell | Forward | Predators (2022 1st round) |
| Niklas Kokko | Goalie | Kraken (2022 2nd round) |
| Jani Nyman | Forward | Kraken (2022 2nd round) |
| Topi Ronni | Forward | Flames (2022 2nd round) |
| Otto Salin | Defenseman | Kings (2022 5th round) |
Slovakia
Slovakia's team at the 2023 tournament was extremely young, but it still upset the USA and pushed Canada to overtime in the quarterfinals. With 16 players eligible to return, it's a good sign for the Slovaks.
Simon Nemec may be playing with the Devils and could be unlikely to return after captaining the team. Adam Gajan, who was named the IIHF's Best Goaltender at the tournament, can return to Slovakia's crease.
| Player | Position | NHL Rights (Draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Ciernik | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Frantisek Dej | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Dalibor Dvorsky | Defenseman | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Adam Gajan | Goalie | Undrafted |
| Samuel Honzek | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Viliam Kmec | Defenseman | Undrafted |
| Filip Mesar | Forward | Canadiens (2022 1st round) |
| Martin Misiak | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| David Natny | Defenseman | Undrafted |
| Simon Nemec | Defenseman | Devils (2022 1st round) |
| Servac Petrovsky | Forward | Wild (2022 6th round) |
| Peter Repcik | Forward | Blues (2022 1st round) |
| Alex Sotek | Forward | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Maxim Strbak | Defenseman | 2023 draft-eligible |
| Adam Sykora | Forward | Rangers (2022 2nd round) |
| Adam Zlinka | Forward | Coyotes (2022 7th round) |