The 2021-22 IIHF Under-20 World Championship, more popularly known as the World Junior Championships, will be held in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, from Dec. 26, 2021 until January 5, 2022. This year, the Flyers will have three prospects participating in the tournament.
Forward Elliot Desnoyers will represent Team Canada. Returning player Emil Andrae, a defenseman, will serve as the captain of Team Sweden. First-time participant Brian Zanetti, a defenseman, will represent Team Switzerland.
WJC: 3 Flyers Prospects Participating
Flyers vice president and assistant general manager Brent Flahr, who oversees the organization's scouting and player development operations was Jason Myrtetus' guest on the Dec. 23 edition of "Flyers Daily". Flahr discussed the three prospects participating in the World Junior Championships. To listen to the 20-minute program, click here.
Here's a brief overview of the outlook for all three Flyers-affiliated participants.
Elliot Desnoyers (C/LW, Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)
Desnoyers' stock has risen quickly since the Flyers selected him in the fifth round (135th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Transfering last season from Moncton Wildcats to the Halifax Mooseheads, Desnoyers saw an expanded offensive role and thrived. He's always been an above-average two-way player for someone his age.
This season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Desnoyers has posted 16 goals and 36 points in 23 games while captaining the Mooseheads. This has come on the heels of an impressive performance during the Flyers' Rookie Camp and the early portion of the team's NHL camp.
Desnoyers' versatility in being able to be plugged into just about any role in a lineup and his ability to play either center or wing as needed enabled him to earn a spot on Team Canada. He will play a bottom-six role and see PK duties for Team Canada at the WJC but could be moved up at times if the team is in need of a spark.
Already under an entry-level NHL contract with the Flyers, Desnoyers will turn professional next season. Desnoyers will turn 20 on Jan. 21.
Emil Andrae (D, HV71 Jönköping, Allsvenskan)
Selected by the Flyers in the second round (54th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, offensive-minded defenseman Andrae is no stranger to playing for the Swedish national team. He's represented Team Sweden in various age categories, including a stint captaining the national Under-18 team. Last year, he earned a spot on the WJC roster, playing sparingly but gaining valuable experience. This time around, he will captain the team.
A traditional powerhouse in Sweden's top league (SHL), HV71 was shockingly related down to Allsvenskan (the highest Swedish minor league) for the 2021-22 season. Andrae has played very well at that level this season, with 16 points (2g, 14a) and a +6 rating in 21 games played. He's also dressed in nine WJC prep games (posting seven points) for the national U20 team.
Andrae, undersized (5-foot-9, 176 pounds) but fearless, will see a greatly expanded on-ice role at this year's WJC. He''ll play a vital role on the Swedish power play as well as the 5-on-5 rotation. Andrae has spend significant off-ice time over the last two years reducing his body-fat percentage and adding lean muscle to his small frame. Hockey sense and puck skills remain his primary assets. Andrae with turn 20 on Feb. 23.
Brian Zanetti (D, Peterborough Petes, OHL)
An agile young defenseman with good puck skills, Zanetti was drafted by the Flyers in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. he was one of the standout players at Development Camp late in the summer and the start of Rookie Camp. His game is still raw but has significant upside if he develops as hoped.
The 6-foot-2, 181-pound Swiss player came over to North America this season to play for the Peterborough Petes. Among his teammates is fellow Flyers prospect J.R. Avon. Zanetti has dressed in 17 of the team's 26 games to date, posting nine assists and a -10 rating.
Zanetti has represented the Swiss national team in various age categories as he's climbed the international junior hockey ladder. Last year, he played in the Under-18 World Championships (one assist in five games) and wore the captain's "C" in several pre-tourney prep games. This year, he'll make his Under-20 World Championship debut although he already has some experience under his belt at the under-20 international level.
Zanetti is one of two NHL-drafted prospects on the Team Switzerland roster, along with Nashville Predators forward hopeful Simon Knak. Zanetti will turn 19 on March 15. He'll also be eligible for the 2022-23 WJC.
