3 Leafs prospects currently eligible for 2024 Canadian World Junior Championship team

First off - I want to say a huge congratulations to Team Canada for their sensational performance at the World Junior Championship tournament and their second consecutive WJC gold medal!

While there were no Leafs prospects competing in the WJC tournament this time around, the Buds do have at least 3 prospects who will qualify for next year's tournament. Per The Score's Kyle Cushman, those prospects are Fraser Minten, Nick Moldenhauer and Brandon Lisowsky.

As Leafs fans, this tournament was a little less of a pressure cooker, since there were no Leaf prospects to root for. Next year's tournament could end up being a nail-biter for Leafs Nation if any or all of these players make the cut in 2024.

Lisowsky, as Cushman points out, will be a bit of a long shot, but a strong season with the WHL's Saskatoon Blades could put the 18-year-old sniper on the map. So far, through 33 games, Lisowsky has racked up 20 goals and 39 points. Meanwhile, Moldenhauer is having a strong campaign of his own in the USHL, producing 14 goals and 32 points in just 23 games so far.

Minten is the Leafs' biggest hope of having representation at the tournament, as the 18-year-old center has amassed 19 goals and 36 points in just 25 games with the WHL's Kamloops Blazers. Minten was invited to Canada's summer camp for the 2023 tournament, but ultimately did not end up being selected.

These 3 players will be some intriguing players to watch all year and there may also be candidates for WJC roster spots with the various countries who have yet to be drafted. Apparently, the 2023 NHL Entry Draft is expected to be a deep one, so if the Leafs do end up retaining their 1st round pick this year, perhaps we'll see another candidate added to this list.

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