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Several Los Angeles Kings prospects were named to final rosters for this year’s World Junior Championship tournament and we also got a better idea of what division the Kings may be playing in for the year. Here are the updates for the week of Dec. 7-13.
BYFIELD AND SPENCE NAMED TO TEAM CANADA’S FINAL WJC ROSTER
Quinton Byfield will be representing Canada at the World Juniors once again, returning for a chance at back-to-back Gold Medals. Jordan Spence also made Team Canada and will be one of Canada’s eight defensemen for the tournament.
FABER, KALIYEV AND TURCOTTE NAMED TO USA’S WJC ROSTER
All three of the Kings prospects who were named to USA’s preliminary roster for the World Juniors have made the final roster. Arthur Kaliyev and Alex Turcotte will be returning for their second tournament appearance, while Faber will be playing in the tournament for the first time.
TOBIAS BJORNFOT MAKES TEAM SWEDEN, HELGE GRANS CUT
Tobias Bjornfot made Sweden’s final roster for the World Juniors, however, Helge Grans did not. Grans was the final cut from the team, though he will be eligible to play in the tournament next year.
SIMONTAIVAL NAMED TO FINLAND’S FINAL ROSTER, MARKKANEN CUT
Kasper Simontaival will be representing Finland at the tournament but goaltender Juho Markkanen has been cut. Both players will still be able to compete to play in next year’s tournament.
CHROMIAK AND PARIK REMAIN WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE WJC TEAMS
Prospects Martin Chromiak and Lukas Parik both remain with their respective teams for the World Juniors as well. Both Czech Republic and Slovakia have yet to finalize their rosters, though Parik will be named to Team Czech Republic as one of the team’s goalies, once the roster is finalized.
KINGS’ POTENTIAL 2020-21 DIVISION REPORTED
We got more information on what the NHL divisions for the season could be and who the Kings may be grouped with. According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Kings could be in a division with Anaheim, Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, San Jose, St. Louis and Vegas.
As for this week’s poll questions, here are the results and my thoughts on how they turned out:
QUESTION: Are you surprised that Jordan Spence made Canada's final WJC roster?
(Votes: 53)
No: 62%
Yes: 38%
Considering the star power on Canada’s roster, I’m a bit surprised Spence did make the team. I’m not saying he’s not capable by any means, but he is just one of two skaters who wasn’t a first-round draft pick but still made the roster.
QUESTION: What below surprised you most?
(Votes: 41)
Brock Faber making Team USA: 37%
None of the above: 34%
Juho Markkanen not making Team Finland: 17%
Kasper Simontaival making Team Finland: 12%
I also wasn’t expecting Faber to make the team this year and of the Kings prospects to make a World Juniors roster, I think his inclusion in the tournament is the most surprising. It remains to be seen what kind of role he’s in but regardless, it’ll be great to see him in the tournament
QUESTION: Are you surprised that Helge Grans was cut from Sweden’s final WJC roster?
(Votes: 54)
Yes: 67%
No: 33%
Personally, I really thought that Grans would make the team. Though he is still fairly young, it would have been interesting to see how he fared in the tournament.
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OTHER KINGS ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER:
Faber, Kaliyev and Turcotte named to USA’s preliminary WJC roster
Kings have yet to use cap space to acquire future assets
Tobias Bjornfot and Helge Grans named to Sweden’s preliminary WJC roster
Markkanen and Simontaival named to Finland’s preliminary WJC roster
Weekly Recap: Kings Edition (December 6)
Byfield and Spence named to Team Canada’s World Juniors roster
Four more Kings prospects named to final World Juniors rosters
Tobias Bjornfot makes Sweden’s final WJC roster, Helge Grans cut 
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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