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Six Former World Juniors Super Stars Who Didn’t Become NHL Super Stars

August 9, 2022, 12:13 PM ET [52 Comments]
Eklund
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Today we get a special mid August treat as the World Juniors, postponed from their normal holiday season, will begin again in Edmonton. This tournament is HUGE in Canada and always has been, although the NHL Network has truly made this event more and more popular in the US.

One of the most fascinating parts of watching this tournament is seeing the future stars of the NHL and many NHL Superstars have indeed thrived in this tournament. However, this article is going to focus on the players who are part of the legend and yore of the WJC who are probably not going to be hall of farmers when their careers in the NHL ended…But if this tournament was the end of their careers, they sure would be!


Jordan Eberle: Canada

In 2009, Eberle had a terrible camp for Canada and was likely to NOT make the team at all…until Pat Quinn was given the job when the coach from camp, Benoît Groulx, gets hired away to the AHL. Quinn had coached Eberle in the U-18s and knew he was a gamer. Eberle would go on to dominate in 2008…and BIG goals, none bigger than against Russia in the Semis….

Then in 2010 Eberle came back and was once again the best player in the world under 20. Winning the MVP



Dere Stepan: USA

The second best player in 2010 was Dere Stepan for team USA. The USA would win gold and he would score 14 points in 7 games leading the charge, That 2010 World Juniors Championship gold medal game might be the best Junior game EVER.



Justin Pogge: Canada

Never lost a game in the World Juniors. In 2006 he set a record with three shutouts, including shutting out Russia for the Gold.

Robert Reichel: Czechoslovakia

In 1990 and 1991 he led his country to bronze medals… He put up 40 points in 21 WJC games. Second most in WJC history. He was a good Flame, but never as good as he was when playing for his country…

Niklas Sundstrom: Sweden

He put up 33 points in 18 WJC games. His performance in 1993 was so good that the Rangers would take him in the first round. He had a great NHL career as a defensive specialist.


Brayden Schenn: Canada.

18 points in only 7 games in 2011. He was voted MVP of the series. His NHL career has seen him develop into a solid second line center and a Cup Champ in St Louis, but he has not yet dominated his peers like he did in 2011.


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