In recent years, the New York Islanders have not had a major presence at the World Junior Championship. However, the 2026 tournament is set to be different, with six Islanders prospects projected to make their national team rosters according to Scott Wheeler, Corey Pronman, and Max Bultman of The Athletic. This significant boost in representation places the Islanders among the top NHL teams in terms of player participation at the event.
Canada’s Defensive Strength and USA’s Offensive Firepower Headline Islanders’ 2026 World Juniors Impact
Team Canada is expected to feature two highly regarded Islanders prospects. Matthew Schaefer, the 2025 first overall pick, is almost certain to return after a strong performance in last year’s tournament that was cut short by a collarbone injury against Latvia.
His only possible absence would be if he secures a spot on the Islanders’ NHL roster before the tournament begins. Alongside him, 2024 17th overall pick Kashawn Aitcheson is projected to add physicality and grit to Canada’s blue line.
Matthew Schaefer (NHL)For Team USA, 2024 first-round pick Cole Eiserman is poised to be a standout performer. Known for his scoring ability, Eiserman recorded three goals and seven points in a limited role last year, and this year he is expected to see top-six minutes, possibly contending for the tournament’s goal-scoring lead.
His Boston University teammate, 2024 second-rounder Kamil Bednarik, will likely bring defensive reliability and penalty-kill skills, filling a middle-six role for the Americans.
Sweden’s Star-Studded Top Line and Czechia’s Gritty Forward Bolster Islanders’ Presence
Sweden, a perennial favorite at the World Juniors, will likely feature Islanders prospect Victor Eklund on their top line. Eklund could be flanked by two elite young talents: third overall pick Anton Frondell and projected 2026 top-five pick Ivan Stenberg. Together, they could form one of the most dangerous offensive lines in the entire tournament, providing Sweden with both skill and scoring depth.
Rounding out the Islanders’ World Junior presence is Tomas Poletin, representing Czechia. Poletin is a versatile and physical player capable of contributing in a bottom-six role. He also has the potential to make an impact on the power play, either screening in front of the net or taking up a position along the right circle. His style of play offers Czechia an additional edge in tight, physical matchups.
