By Warren Kozireski —
The 2024 U-20 World Junior championship kicks off Dec. 26 in Gothenburg, Sweden and New York State residents have plenty of reasons to pay attention this year to several of the participating teams.
For instance, there are five players with New York ties dotting the roster for Team USA.
Akwesasne’s Carey Terrance, a second-round draft pick of Anaheim in 2023, will take time away from his Ontario Hockey League schedule with the Erie Otters with pre-tournament speculation of using his speed in a third or fourth line role at forward.
Pearl River native and New York Rangers 2023 third round draft pick Drew Fortescue is on the Team USA blueline and Boston College teammate Gabe Perrault, selected by the Rangers in the second round in June, is at forward.
Team USA’s roster also features two New York Islanders draft selections in University of Wisconsin forward Quinn Finley (’22 third round) and Notre Dame freshman forward Danny Nelson (’23 second round).
On Team Canada, Buffalo Sabres 2022 first round draft pick Matt Savoie will be one of the main forwards again this year and the Sabres fifth round selection in 2023, Scott Ratzlaff, is one of three goaltenders.
Buffalo also has two draft picks at forward with Team Sweden in ’22 first rounder Noah Ostlund and ’23 second rounder Anton Wahlberg.
Team Czechia will feature the return of Sabres ’22 first round draft choice Juri Kulich, who scored nine points in the tournament a year ago and currently leads the American Hockey League in goals.
Rangers 2022 second round draft pick Adam Sykora will join Team Slovakia for the tournament after a successful start to his professional career with AHL affiliate Hartford.
Islanders 2023 fourth round selection Jesse Nurmi was set to play a top-six role with Team Finland but will sit out due to injury.
