Edmonton Oilers’ Top 5 Performances at World Juniors

For the first time in more than a decade, the Edmonton Oilers do not have any prospects participating in the World Junior Hockey Championship (WJC), which gets underway on Tuesday (Dec. 26) in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Related: Guide to the 2024 World Junior Championship

But the Oilers are a team rich in WJC experience, as Edmonton’s roster currently includes nine players, from four different countries, who were part of the annual tournament earlier in their respective careers. As the NHL continues its Christmas break and the hockey world shifts its gaze to Gothenburg, here’s a look at the top 5 WJC performers by members of the Oilers.

5) Evander Kane, 2009 WJC

Evander Kane helped Canada win a record-tying fifth consecutive gold medal, with six points in six games at the 2009 WJC in Ottawa. Oilers fans best remember this tournament for then-prospect Jordan Eberle’s epic goal with five seconds left in the semi-final against Russia, which tied the game 5-5 before Canada went on to win in a shootout. Kane had two assists in what is considered one of the greatest games in WJC history. The Vancouver native scored twice, one goal against each Kazakhstan and Germany, during the round-robin portion of the tournament.

4) Leon Draisaitl, 2013 WJC

A 17-year-old Leon Draisaitl saved his best for last at the World Juniors in 2013, and his best saved his country a seat at the table. After recording two points through Germany’s first five games of the tournament, the forward erupted for two goals and two assists to lead Germany past Latvia 5-2 in a must-win game where the loser would be relegated.

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Thanks to his heroics, Germany returned to the World Juniors in 2014, and so did Draisaitl, as team captain. Unfortunately, his second trip to the WJC was marred by his suspension for a hit from behind. Months later, he was drafted third overall by the Oilers.

3) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2013 WJC

The 2013 WJC was a massive disappointment for Team Canada, which missed the podium for the first time in 15 years, but that certainly wasn’t for lack of production by its captain. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins racked up a tournament-leading 15 points, including four in the bronze medal game, a 6-5 overtime loss to Russia. He was selected as the top forward of the tournament and named to the media all-star team.

Nugent-Hopkins had already spent a full season in the NHL, suiting up for 62 games with the Oilers…