FEATURE: 2019 World Juniors Primer

From Dec. 26-Jan. 5, the hockey world will set their eyes on British Columbia for the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.
The annual tournament not only pits upcoming draft-eligible talents against each other, but also allows teams to get a look at some of the prospects already in their system. For Chicago, the 2019 tournament affords the franchise an opportunity to get a look at the future of their blueline, along with some promising talent up front.
Their haul of players participating in the tournament is impressive. Here's a rundown on the Blackhawks prospects who remain on rosters and are expected to compete in Vancouver and Victoria, B.C.
BROADCAST INFO:You can watch the games on NHL Network. Follow this link to see a full broadcast schedule.
BLACKHAWKS.COM COVERAGE:
NEED-TO-KNOW LINKS:
- Full Schedule - Rosters - IIHF Video Hub - IIHF News

EVAN BARRATT, F - USA

The NCAA Division I's leading scorer resides in the Blackhawks system. Evan Barratt has been a revelation in his sophomore season for Penn State with 13 goals and 16 assists in 17 games.

Barratt will join a talented, stacked crop of U.S. prospects when he begins the tournament, including projected 2019 first-overall pick Jack Hughes.
Barratt was selected 90th overall in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

ADAM BOQVIST, D - SWEDEN

The 2018 eighth-overall pick was selected by Chicago because of his dynamic talent on the back end. With the chance to become an elite playmaker on the Blackhawks defense eventually, Boqvist is one of the most exciting prospects to watch.
He had an impressive offseason and training camp with Chicago. At first, it wasn't expected that Boqvist would even have a chance to start the season in the NHL but he did what any young, drafted player tries to do in their first camp: he made it a difficult decision. He stuck around late in the process before eventually being assigned to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

There he's become a pivotal piece to the Knights season, scoring nine goals and adding 16 assists for 25 points in 23 games, which leads their defense in scoring. Boqvist will represent his home country of Sweden at the tournament.

MACKENZIE ENTWISTLE, F - CANADA

It doesn't take much effort to see why the Blackhawks were pleased to get MacKenzie Entwistle as a piece of this summer's Marian Hossa trade. The former Arizona Coyotes prospect has picked up where he left off last season with 15 goals and 12 assists in 29 games for the Ontario Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs.

Entwistle has a blend of size and skill and took advantage of an opportunity to make Canada's final roster.
He had four goals and three assists at the Under-18s. It'll be interesting to see where Entwistle slots in Canada's lineup as the tournament moves along. With his history in juniors, Entwistle could earn minutes with his play and be a surprise contributor on this year's squad.

JAKUB GALVAS, D - CZECH REPUBLIC

Although a late pick, 150th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, Galvas has proven himself to be an interesting prospect.

The defenseman has two goals and eight assists for HC Olomouc in the Czech league. He's represented his home country at several levels, including last year's World Juniors, in which he had two assists in seven games. He also helped the Czech Republic win gold at the Ivan Hlinka tournament during the 2016-17 season.
He's expected to see his fair share of minutes at this tournament for a Czech Republic team that will need to rely on its defense.

HENRI JOKIHARJU, D - FINLAND

The Finnish defenseman was in the midst of his rookie season with the Blackhawks when they loaned him to his national team for the tournament. Jokiharju, the 29th-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft has 11 assists in 32 games with the Blackhawks, averaging 20 minutes per game.

The former Portland Winterhawks blueliner has the potential to be a pillar of Chicago's defensive core for years to come and has shown promise and confidence in a small sample size.
Defensemen often take years to develop, and Jokiharju is still very young. The Blackhawks felt it was in his best interest to send him to World Juniors, allowing him to be a key piece and a leader on Finland's squad. When he returns to Chicago, the hope is he's a more confident and polished player than he already was earlier in the season.

PHILIPP KURASHEV, F - SWITZERLAND

We at blackhawks.com dubbed him the most interesting man of the Blackhawks 2018 prospects camp. The Swiss-born forward of Russian decent has continued to show he's a force to be reckoned with when he has the puck on his stick.

Kurashev is by far and away the Quebec Remparts' (QMJHL) leading scorer this year with 43 points (18G, 25A) in 33 games.
He has a chance to be a driving offensive weapon on the Swiss Team. After a successful prospects camp and offseason with the Blackhawks, it will be interesting to see how he does on this stage.

IAN MITCHELL, D - CANADA

Another potential difference maker on the future Blackhawks blueline is Ian Mitchell. The 2017 second-round pick will represent Canada at this year's tournament.

The defenseman has two goals and nine assists in 14 games in his sophomore season at the University of Denver.
He represented Canada two years ago at the Under-18s, recording two assists in five games.
OF NOTE:Blackhawks 2018 first-round pick Nicolas Beaudin was invited to Canada's preliminary roster but did not make the final cuts. 2018 third-round pick Niklas Nordgren was expected to contribute for Finland, but suffered an injury that will reportedly keep him out of the tournament.