13 first-round picks to watch at World Juniors

There's no shortage of future NHL talent at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins Monday in Toronto and Montreal.
In a tournament that features many of the world's best under 20-and-under players, this year's event is sure the please even the most casual fan.

That's true even though there are many teenage players eligible to represent their country in the tournament who can't do so because they're making contributions with their NHL teams.
A few include forwards Auston Matthews (United States) and Mitchell Marner (Canada) of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Patrik Laine (Finland) of the Winnipeg Jets, Jesse Puljujarvi (Finland) of the Edmonton Oilers, Matthew Tkachuk (United States) of the Calgary Flames, Travis Konecny (Canada) of the Philadelphia Flyers, and defensemen Ivan Provorov (Russia) of the Flyers, Zach Werenski (United States) of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Jakob Chychrun (Canada) of the Arizona Coyotes.
Here are 13 first-round NHL draft choices who will play in the tournament (listed alphabetically):
Mathew Barzal, F, Canada: An alternate captain this year, Barzal (6-foot, 182 pounds) is a reliable two-way player capable of working down low on the forecheck. He had two goals and three points for Canada in the 2016 WJC. The New York Islanders selected Barzal No. 16 in the 2015 draft.
Henrik Borgstrom, F, Finland: The University of Denver freshman has excelled his first collegiate season, scoring eight goals and 16 points in 14 games. Borgstrom (6-3, 185), chosen No. 23 in the 2016 draft by the Florida Panthers, makes the smart play and has great playmaking ability and skill with the puck.

Pierre-Luc Dubois, F, Canada: Dubois (6-3, 202) is a prototypical power forward; he plays a physical yet skillful brand of hockey. Dubois scored 58 goals and had 162 points in 136 games for Cape Breton over two-plus seasons. Columbus selected Dubois No. 3 in the 2016 draft.
Tyson Jost, F, Canada: Jost (5-11, 194), the No. 10 pick in the 2016 draft by the Colorado Avalanche, is the first player from the University of North Dakota to represent Canada at the World Junior Championship since Jonathan Toews won back-to-back gold medals in 2006 and 2007. Jost has seven goals and 18 points in 17 games as a freshman for the Fighting Hawks.
Olli Juolevi, D, Finland: Juolevi (6-3, 183) helped Finland to a gold medal at last year's tournament and finished tied for second with nine assists in seven games. He was picked No. 5 in the 2016 draft by the Vancouver Canucks. Juolevi has six goals and 21 points in 26 games this season for defending Memorial Cup champion London of the Ontario Hockey League.
Clayton Keller, F, United States: The Boston University freshman is one of the most dynamic forwards on the U.S. roster. Despite missing seven games with a lower-body injury, he has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 10 games for the Terriers. Keller (5-10, 172) was one of the last cuts from the U.S. team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 WJC. He was selected No. 7 in the 2016 draft by the Coyotes.

Luke Kunin, F, United States: The University of Wisconsin sophomore, chosen No. 15 in the 2016 draft by the Minnesota Wild, was named captain of the U.S. national junior team. Kunin (5-11, 196) was leading the Badgers with 11 goals in 16 games before joining the U.S. team. He's the fifth Badger to serve as captain of the national junior team (Jake McCabe, 2013; John Ramage, 2011; Derek Stepan, 2010; Ryan Suter, 2005).
Charlie McAvoy, D, United States: McAvoy (6-0, 206) will serve as an alternate captain and is well respected by his peers for his consistently sound defensive game. He has 11 assists, 13 points and 26 shots on goal for Boston University. He was chosen No. 14 in the 2016 draft by the Boston Bruins.
Alexander Nylander, F, Sweden: Nylander had four goals and nine points in seven games for fourth-place Sweden at the 2016 WJC. He has five goals and 17 points in 29 games for Rochester of the American Hockey League this season. Selected No. 8 in the 2016 draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Nylander is incredibly skilled and will be a treat to watch.
Ilya Samsonov, G, Russia: Samsonov (6-3, 205), selected No. 22 in the 2015 draft by the Washington Capitals, had a memorable 26-save, 2-1 win against the United States in the semifinals of the 2016 tournament. He is 12-1-3 with a 2.06 GAA and .936 save percentage in 19 games for Metallurg of the Kontinental Hockey League.
Mikhail Sergachev, D, Russia: Sergachev (6-3, 216) played three games for the Montreal Canadiens (2016 draft, No. 9) before returning to Windsor (OHL). The two-way defenseman served as an alternate captain for Russia at the 2016 World Under-18 Junior Championship and should play a big role at the WJC this year.

Dylan Strome, F, Canada: The captain of the Canadian national junior team finished with four goals and six points in five games at the 2016 tournament. He has good size (6-3, 194), speed, and a hard, accurate shot. Strome was returned to Erie (OHL) after seven games with the Arizona Coyotes, and has five goals and 11 assists in seven games with the Otters. He was chosen No. 3 in the 2015 draft.
Colin White, F, United States: The Boston College right-handed shot had three goals (one shorthanded) and seven points in seven games at the 2016 WJC. He is an alternate captain for the United States a second straight year. White (6-0, 183), picked No. 21 in the 2015 draft by the Ottawa Senators, has 10 goals, 17 points and a plus-9 rating as a sophomore for the Eagles.