Team Slovakia Players to Watch at the World Juniors 2023

Slovakia is looking to take advantage of their best generation of players in decades to take home a medal for themselves in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship (WJC). Slovakia will face a happy problem they’ve rarely, if ever, had to deal with — requesting NHL clubs to release some of their most talented prospects to play for them on the international stage. That includes the 2022 first- and second-overall picks and a core that has won a silver medal at the 2021 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup tournament.

Simon Nemec – Defense

Defenceman Simon Nemec is the second half of the first-ever Slovakian nationals to be selected first and second overall in NHL history. If the New Jersey Devils prospect is permitted to participate in the 2023 tournament, he will play a key role in his nation’s medal hopes.

The 18-year-old would return for his third WJC. Nemec is having a strong season playing for the American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets with two goals and seven points in 19 games played. He has provided more than some offense as he has been gaining defensive awareness under head coach Kevin Dineen. Fans watching will see a smooth-skating, puck-moving defender who should demonstrate the skill and confidence of a future top-pairing NHL defenseman.

Juraj Slafkovsky – Left Wing

Speaking of the 2022 NHL Draft, the other half of the first-ever pair of Slovaks to be selected first and second overall in NHL history is Juraj Slafkovsky. The Montreal Canadiens’ first-overall pick has been learning the North American style of game with the NHL club, playing 19 games, scoring four goals and seven points. He has also played a physical style earning 23 minutes in penalties as well as a two-game suspension. Many pundits have weighed in on why the Canadiens should not allow their top rookie to leave the NHL to play in the WJC. As of Dec. 17, it is unlikely, but not confirmed, that they do loan him to Slovakia. His addition may still not be enough to make Slovakia a legitimate gold-medal hopeful.

Dalibor Dvorsky – Center

Dalibor Dvorsky continues the streak of Slovakian players seen as a 2023 top prospect. Dvorsky leaped onto scouting service radars with the eight-goal and 12-point performance at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading to a silver medal. Dvorsky is a returnee to the WJC as he was the top center on a Slovakian team for the 2022 tournament held in August without some of the nation’s top players….