Three Islanders Prospects Earn Medals at 2026 World Juniors

DAY 10: EKLUND WINS GOLD MEDAL, POLETIN EARNS SILVER AS SWEDEN DEFEATS CZECHIA 4-2 IN FINAL

Victor Eklund tallied a goal and an assist as Team Sweden won the gold medal at the 2026 World Juniors with a 4-2 win over Tomas Poletin and Team Czechia on Monday night.

Eklund, who the Islanders’ selected 16th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, scored on the power-play to give Sweden a 2-0 lead at the 9:21 mark in the second period.

The 19-year-old forward also earned an assist on Sweden’s game sealing empty net goal to make it 4-2 with eight seconds remaining in the third period.

Eklund totaled three shots on goal and a plus-one rating on 21:01 TOI, and he earned player of the game for Team Sweden in the victory.

The Islanders’ 2025 first-round pick (16^th overall) tied for sixth in tournament scoring with eight points (2G, 6A). Eklund accumulated a plus-four rating and 20 shots on goal in 20:43 TOI/GP in seven games at his second career World Juniors tournament.

Poletin, who was drafted 106^th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, notched two shots on goal and a minus-two rating in 16:38 TOI against Sweden. The 18-year-old totaled six points (4G, 2A), a plus-three rating and 14 shots on goal in 16:36 TOI/GP at his first World Juniors.

Team Sweden finished the tournament unbeaten (7-0-0) with the second most goals for (35) and won their third gold medal ever at the World Juniors, ending a 14-year drought.

Team Czechia ended their run 5-2-0 with 32 goals for and 22 goals against. They earned a medal for the third straight year.

DAY 10: AITCHESON AND CANADA BEAT FINLAND 6-3 IN BRONZE MEDAL GAME

Kashawn Aitcheson and Team Canada won the bronze medal at the 2026 World Juniors following a 6-3 victory over Team Finland on Monday evening.

Aitcheson, the Islanders’ first rounder (17^th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, didn’t tally a point in 20:03 TOI against Finland, but provided Team Canada with steady defense and production throughout his first career appearance in the World Juniors. The 19-year-old defenseman totaled four points (1G, 3A), a plus-four rating and no penalty minutes in 17:45 TOI/GP in the tournament en route to Canada’s bronze medal.

Team Canada finished the tournament 6-1-0 with 36 goals for and 18 goals against. This marks the first time in three years that Team Canada earned a medal at the tournament.

DAY 9: POLETIN AND CZECHIA TAKE DOWN AITCHESON AND CANADA 6-4 TO REACH GOLD MEDAL GAME

Tomas Poletin scored the game-winning goal for Team Czechia as they defeated Kashawn Aitcheson and Team Canada 6-4 in their semifinal game at the 2026 World Juniors on Sunday. Canada beat Czechia 7-5 in their opening game of the tournament on Dec. 26.

Poletin, the Islanders’ fourth-rounder (106^th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, scored the game-winning goal to push Czechia ahead 5-4 with 1:14 remaining in the third period.

The 18-year-old forward is tied for second in the tournament with four goals through six games. He also earned a helper on Czechia’s third goal of the game in the second period to make it 3-2.

Poletin recorded three shots on goal, four penalty minutes and a plus-three rating in 14:42 TOI on Sunday night.

On the other side of the aisle, Aitcheson, who the Islanders selected 17^th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, notched an assist on Team Canada’s game-tying goal to make it 4-4 with 2:41 remaining in the third frame.

The 19-year-old defenseman finished the night with a minus-one rating and 18:16 TOI.

Team Czechia improves to 5-1-0 in the tournament and will face Team Sweden for the gold on Monday. Puck drop is set for 8:30PM.

Team Canada drops to 5-1-0 at the tournament and will play Team Finland in the third-place game on Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:30PM.

DAY 9: EKLUND AND SWEDEN PUNCH TICKET INTO THE GOLD MEDAL GAME WITH 4-3 SHOOTOUT WIN OVER FINLAND

Victor Eklund and Team Sweden outlasted Team Finland 4-3 in the eighth round of the shootout in the first semifinal game of the 2026 World Juniors on Sunday.

Eklund, who was the Islanders’ first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, earned an assist on the opening goal in the win. The tally came off Sweden’s first shot of the game 36 seconds into the contest.

The 19-year-old forward added four shots on goal and a plus-one rating in 24:01 TOI in the 4-3 victory. He missed the shot he took in the fourth-round of the shootout. Eklund is up to six points (1G, 5A) in the tournament, tying his point total from the 2025 World Juniors.

Team Sweden remains undefeated (6-0-0) at the tournament and will play in the gold medal game for the second time in three years. They await the winner of the Team Canada vs. Team Czechia semifinal game. The gold medal game is scheduled for 8:30PM on Monday.

DAY 8: AITCHESON AND CANADA DOMINATE SLOVAKIA 7-1 IN QUARTERFINAL

Kashawn Aitcheson and Team Canada commanded Team Slovakia in their 7-1 quarterfinal victory at the 2026 World Juniors on Friday.

Aitcheson, who the Islanders selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, sent two shots on goal in 19:24 TOI. The 19-year-old defenseman has earned 19 minutes or more in each of the last three games.

Team Canada is 5-0-0 at the tournament and next plays Team Czechia in the semifinal on Sunday. Puck drop is at 8:30PM.

DAY 8: EISERMAN AND BEDNARIK TALLY POINTS FOR TEAM USA IN 4-3 OVERTIME LOSS TO FINLAND

Cole Eiserman, Kamil Bednarik and Team USA were sent home early as they were defeated by Team Finland 4-3 in overtime of the 2026 World Junior quarterfinals on Friday.

Bednarik, who was selected 61st overall by the Islanders in the 2024 NHL Draft, earned an assist on the game’s first goal in the second period to give the United States a 1-0 lead.

The Team USA forward added one shot on goal and eight face-off wins in 11:23 TOI in the loss. Bednarik finished the tournament with two points (2A) and two shots on goal in 8:00 TOI/GP.

Eiserman, who the Islanders selected in the first round (20th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, netted a goal in the second period to give Team USA a 2-1 lead.

The 19-year-old totaled three shots on goal in 14:19 TOI against Finland. Eiserman recorded three points (2G, 1A), 16 shots on goal and a minus-four rating in 12:05 TOI/GP at the tournament.

Team USA finished the 2026 World Juniors with a 3-1-1 record.

DAY 8: POLETIN AND CZECHIA ROLL THROUGH SWITZERLAND 6-2 IN QUARTERFINALS

Tomas Poletin and Team Czechia beat Team Switzerland 6-2 in their quarterfinal contest at the 2026 World Juniors on Friday.

Poletin, who the Islanders selected 106th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, notched his first assist of the tournament on Czechia’s third goal of the second period to take a 3-2 lead.

The Czechia forward added one shot on goal and a plus-one rating in 14:25 TOI in the win. Poletin has four points (3G, 1A) through five games at the tournament.

Czechia is 4-1-0 through five games at the 2026 World Juniors and awaits an opponent in the semifinals on Sunday.

DAY 8: EKLUND AND SWEDEN EARN 6-3 VICTORY OVER LATVIA IN QUARTERFINALS

Victor Eklund and Team Sweden cruised past Team Latvia 6-3 in the first quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Juniors on Friday.

Eklund, who the Islanders drafted 16th overall in 2025, earned a pair of assists in the victory. His first came as he flipped a puck to the slot in the second period to take a 4-1 lead.

The 19-year-old forward earned a second helper on Sweden’s final goal of the game in the late stages of the third period to make it 6-2.

Eklund totaled four shots on goal, a plus-three rating, two penalty minutes and 17:08 TOI in the 6-3 win.

Sweden remains unbeaten (5-0-0) in the tournament and await an opponent in the semifinal round on Sunday.

DAY 6: AITCHESON AND CANADA BEAT FINLAND 7-4

Kashawn Aitcheson and Team Canada defeated Finland 7-4 in their final preliminary game of the 2026 World Juniors on Wednesday.

Aitcheson tallied an assist on Canada’s final goal of the game.

The Canadian defenseman added two shots on goal in 21:28 TOI against Finland. Aitcheson totaled 3 points (1G, 2A), a plus-three rating and five shots on goal in 16:38 TOI/G through four games of preliminary play.

Team Canada finished the round robin 4-0-0 and next faces Slovakia in their quarterfinal contest on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30PM.

DAY 6: EKLUND AND SWEDEN DEFEAT EISERMAN, BEDNARIK AND TEAM USA 6-3

Sweden vs USA was a battle among Isles prospects, as Victor Eklund and Team Sweden rolled through Cole Eiserman, Kamil Bednarik and Team USA 6-3 to close out preliminary action at the 2026 World Juniors on Wednesday.

Eklund, who the Islanders drafted 16th overall in 2025, recorded an assist on Team Sweden’s third period goal.

The Swedish forward notched two shots on goal in 21:00 TOI in the win. Eklund is up to three points (1G, 2A) through four games at the tournament.

On the other side of the ice, Eiserman, who the Islanders selected 20th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, earned an assist for Team USA in the second period.

The American forward put three shots on goal and a minus-three rating in 9:47 TOI. Eiserman has two points (1G, 1A) and leads Team USA with 13 shots on goal through four games of the tournament.

Bednarik, who was selected 61st overall by the Islanders in the 2024 NHL Draft, was without a point in the loss. The 19-year-old won one face-off in 3:51 TOI against Sweden.

Team USA went 3-1-0 in preliminary play and awaits an opponent in their quarterfinal game on Friday. Puck drop is at 6PM.

Team Sweden finished preliminary action 4-0-0 and first in Group A. They next play Latvia in the quarterfinals on Friday. Puck drop is at 2PM.

DAY 6: POLETIN AND CZECHIA TAKE DOWN LATVIA 4-2

Tomas Poletin and Team Czechia finished up preliminary action with a 4-2 win over Latvia at the 2026 World Juniors on Wednesday.
Poletin, who drafted by the Islanders 106th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, got back on the scoresheet with a game-tying goal in the first period to knot the game at one apiece.

The 18-year-old forward recorded two shots on goal, two penalty minutes and a plus-two rating in 16:38 TOI. He is up to three points (3G, 0A) in four games at the tournament. His three goals lead Czechia.

Czechia went 3-1-0 in preliminary play and now await Wednesday night’s results to see who they will face in the quarterfinals.

DAY 4: AITCHESON AND CANADA CRUISE BEYOND DENMARK 9-1

Kashawn Aitcheson had a two-point performance (1G, 1A) for Team Canada as they blew past Denmark 9-1 in preliminary action on Monday night, marking his first two points in the 2026 World Juniors.

Aitcheson, who the Islanders selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, earned his first point of tournament action with the secondary assist to Michael Misa’s third period goal.

Later in the same period, the 19-year-old defender sniped a shot from the slot to make it 8-1 in favor of Canada.

Aitcheson totaled three shots on goal and a team-high 20:05TOI in Monday’s victory. He ranks third among Canadian defensemen in points through three preliminary games.

Team Canada is 3-0-0 and next plays Finland on Wednesday. Puck drop is at 8:30PM.

DAY 4: BEDNARIK EARNS AN ASSIST AS TEAM USA TAKES DOWN SLOVAKIA 6-5

Kamil Bednarik recorded an assist as Team USA squeezed out a 6-5 win over Slovakia in their third preliminary game of the 2026 World Juniors on Monday night.

Bednarik, who was drafted 61st overall by the Islanders in the 2024 NHL Draft, assisted Brendan McMorrow’s second period strike to bring the United States within a goal of tying the game at 3-3.

The 19-year-old forward added one shot on goal and two penalty minutes in 6:24 TOI in the win.

Cole Eiserman recorded his second straight game without a point but still totaled three shots on goal and 9:42 TOI. Eiserman, who the Islanders selected 20th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, is tied for the most shots on goal (10) among Team USA players through three games of preliminary play.

The United States is 3-0-0 in the tournament and next plays Sweden on Wednesday to finish preliminary action. Puck drop is at 6PM.

DAY 4: POLETIN AND CZECHIA BEAT FINLAND 2-1 IN OVERTIME

Tomas Poletin and Team Czechia defeated Team Finland 2-1 in overtime in their third preliminary game of the 2026 World Juniors on Monday. Finland was undefeated and coming off an 8-0 win over Latvia on Sunday.

Poletin, the Islanders’ fourth-round pick (106th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, was held without a point for the second straight game but did record one shot on goal and 19:19 TOI in the win.

Czechia is 2-1-0 through three contests and close out preliminary action against Latvia on Wednesday. Puck drop is at 3:30PM.

DAY 4: EKLUND TALLIES ASSIST AS SWEDEN TOPPLES GERMANY 8-1

Victor Eklund recorded a secondary assist in Team Sweden’s 8-1 victory over Team Germany in their third preliminary game at the 2026 World Juniors on Monday.

Eklund, who the Islanders drafted 16th overall in 2025, notched his first helper of the tournament while Sweden was on the power play.

The 19-year-old also recorded two shots on goal and led all Swedish forwards with 19:27 TOI in the win. Eklund has two points (1G, 1A) through three preliminary games at the tournament.

Sweden improves to 3-0-0 in preliminary play and next play against the United States on Wednesday. Puck drop is at 6PM.

DAY 3: EKLUND AND SWEDEN TAKE DOWN SWITZERLAND 4-2

Victor Eklund and Team Sweden scored three goals in the third period en route to their 4-2 comeback victory over Switzerland on Sunday in their second preliminary game at the 2026 World Juniors.

Eklund, who was the 16th overall pick by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft, totaled two shots on goal and a plus- one rating in 21:43 TOI against Switzerland. The 19-year-old forward has one point through two games of play, as he scored a power-play goal in Sweden’s 3-2 win over Slovakia on Friday.

Team Sweden is 2-0-0 through their first two games of the tournament and next play Germany on Monday. Puck drop is at 1PM.

DAY 2: POLETIN AND CZECHIA DEFEAT DENMARK 7-2

Tomas Poletin and Team Czechia dominated Denmark 7-2 in their second game of preliminary play at the 2026 World Juniors.

Tomas Poletin, who the Islanders selected in the fourth round (106th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, totaled three shots on goal and two penalty minutes in 15:56 TOI against Denmark. The 18-year-old scored twice for Team Czechia in Friday’s 7-5 loss to Team Canada.

Team Czechia is 1-1-0 through two games of the tournament and next play against Finland on Monday. Puck drop is at 3:30PM

DAY 2: EISERMAN, BEDNARIK AND TEAM USA BEATS SWITZERLAND 2-1

Cole Eiserman, Kamil Bednarik and Team USA made it back-to-back wins to open the 2026 World Juniors, defeating Switzerland 2-1 in preliminary action.

Eiserman, who the Islanders selected 20th overall in the 2024, recorded two shots on goal in 12:41 TOI in the win. He has one goal on seven shots through Team USA’s two games, as he potted a goal in Friday’s 6-3 win over Germany.

Bednarik, who is teammates with Eiserman at Boston University, won 7-of-11 faceoffs and recorded 10:23 TOI in his first game of the 2026 World Juniors. Bednarik, who the Islanders selected in the second round (61st overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, was a scratch on Friday night and is making his first career appearance in the tournament.

Team USA is 2-0-0 through their first two games and next play against Slovakia on Monday. Puck drop is at 6PM.

DAY 2: AITCHESON AND TEAM CANADA DEFEAT LATVIA 2-1 IN OVERTIME

Kashawn Aitcheson and Team Canada won their second straight preliminary game in the 2026 World Juniors, edging Team Latvia 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night.

Aitcheson, who the Islanders selected 17th-overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, recorded 10:26 TOI in the win. The defenseman is without a point in two straight games.

Canada is 2-0-0 through their first two games and next play on Monday against Demark. Puck drop is at 8:30PM.

DAY 1: POLETIN EARNS PLAYER OF THE GAME FOR CZECHIA IN 7-5 LOSS TO CANADA

Tomas Poletin powered Team Czechia with a pair of goals, but they fell 7-5 to Team Canada on Friday night in the preliminary round of the 2026 World Juniors.

Both of his goals were game-tying and scored in front of the net. The 2025 fourth-rounder (106th-overall) tipped in Czechia's first goal of the game to tie the game at one apiece 17:01 into the game. Poletin's second of the night was a greasy goal off an end board bounce to tie the game at four apiece at the 15:21 mark of the third period. The 18-year-old's impressive outing, which saw him scoring twice and taking two shots in 18:37 TOI, earned him Player of the Game honors.

It was a battle between two Isles prospects, as Kashawn Aitcheson, who was drafted 17th-overall by the Islanders, skated 14:36 TOI in the win.

DAY 1: EISERMAN SCORES FOR USA TO CAP OFF 6-3 WIN OVER GERMANY

Cole Eiserman is off to a hot start with a goal out of the gate at the 2026 World Juniors, scoring in Team USA's 6-3 win over Team Germany on Friday night in the preliminary round.

The 2024 20th-overall pick scored to take a commanding 6-3 win for the Americans, sniping a shot short side at the 18:07 mark of the middle frame. In addition to his first tally of the tournament, Eiserman finished the contest with five shots on goal in 13:56 TOI. Last year, Eiserman recorded seven points (3G, 4A) in seven games to help Team USA win gold for the second straight year.

Kamil Bednarik was a healthy scratch for Team USA on Friday night.

DAY 1: EKLUND SCORES IN SWEDEN'S WIN 3-2 OVER SLOVAKIA

Victor Eklund scored a goal to help Team Sweden win 3-2 over Team Slovakia in the preliminary round on Friday afternoon in his second career appearance in the IIHF World Junior Championship

Eklund, who the Islanders drafted in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft (16th overall), tallied a goal in the win, marking his third career goal in the World Juniors after he recorded six points (2G, 4A) through seven games of the tournament last year.

The 19-year-old pushed home the loose puck at the doorstep while on the power play to extend Sweden’s lead to 2-0 at the 13:16 mark in the second period. Eklund totaled three shots on goal and two penalty minutes in 14:15 TOI in the win.

STATS

Kashawn Aitcheson (Canada) | 7GP, 1G, 3A, 4P, 7SOG, 0PIM

Kamil Bednarik (United States) | 4GP, 0G, 2A, 2P, 2SOG, 2PIM

Cole Eiserman (United States) | 5GP, 2G, 1A, 3P, 16SOG, 0PIM

Victor Eklund (Sweden) | 6GP, 1G, 5A, 6P, 17SOG, 4PIM

Tomas Poletin (Czechia) | 6GP, 4G, 2A, 6P, 12SOG, 8PIM

SCHEDULE:

Dec. 26

Sweden 3, Slovakia 2
USA 6, Germany 3
Canada 7, Czechia 5

Dec. 27

Canada 2, Latvia 1 OT
United States 2, Switzerland 1
Czechia 7, Denmark 2

Dec. 28

Sweden 4, Switzerland 2

Dec. 29

Sweden 8, Germany 1
Czechia 2, Finland 1 (OT)
United States 6, Slovakia 5
Canada 9, Denmark 1

Dec. 31

Czechia 4, Latvia 2
Sweden 6, United States 3
Canada 7, Finland 4

Jan. 2 (Quarterfinals)

Sweden 6, Latvia 3
Czechia 6, Switzerland, 2
Finland 4, United States 3
Canada 7, Slovakia 1

Jan. 4 (Semifinals)

Sweden 4, Finland 3 (SO)
Czechia 6, Canada 4

Jan. 5 (Finals)

Canada 6, Finland 3
Championship game; 8:30 p.m.