Rookie Watch: McTavish, Kochetkov among best to play in World Juniors

The impact several rookies are making on the NHL is one of the major storylines of the 2022-23 season. Each week, NHL.com will examine topics related to this season's class in the Rookie Watch.
This week, the top eight NHL rookies who once starred for their country at the IIHF World Junior Championship (in alphabetical order):

Matty Beniers, F, Seattle Kraken: The No. 2 pick of the 2021 NHL Draft had three points (one goal, two assists) in seven games to help the United States win the 2021 World Junior Championship. Beniers leads NHL rookies in goals (11) and points (25) in 32 games. The 20-year-old (6-foot-2, 178 pounds) is averaging 17:13 of ice time. He's third among rookies with 63 shots on goal and his 17.5 percent shooting percentage is second among rookies to play at least 20 games.
Kent Johnson, F, Columbus Blue Jackets: Johnson, selected No. 5 in the 2021 draft, had nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games at the 2022 WJC in August to help Canada to a first-place finish. The 20-year-old is fourth among NHL rookies with eight goals and tied for sixth with 16 points in 30 games. His 20.0 shooting percentage is first among rookies to have played at least 20 games.
Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes: Kochetkov was named top goalie of the 2019 WJC after going 4-1 with a 1.45 goals-against average and .953 save percentage in five games for Russia, including 34 saves in a 5-2 win against Switzerland in the bronze-medal game. The 23-year-old, selected in the second round (No. 36) in the 2019 NHL Draft, is 10-1-4 with a 1.94 GAA, .928 save percentage and three shutouts in 15 games (14 starts) this season. He's tied for second among rookie goalies in wins, is first in goals-against average, save percentage (minimum 10 games), and shutouts.
Matias Maccelli, F, Arizona Coyotes: Maccelli had five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games to help Finland finish fourth in the 2020 WJC. The fourth-round selection (No. 98) in the 2019 draft leads NHL rookies with 19 assists and is second with 22 points in 30 games. The Coyotes announced on Dec. 27 he is expected to be out at least six weeks because of a lower-body injury.
Mason McTavish, F, Anaheim Ducks: McTavish was named most valuable player of the 2022 WJC after leading the tournament with eight goals and 17 points in seven games for gold medal-winning Canada. It was the third time in WJC history that a Ducks prospect was named MVP (Trevor Zegras, United States, 2021; John Gibson, United States, 2013). In addition to his scoring prowess, he also made arguably the biggest save of the tournament, knocking a puck down on the goal line and clearing it out of trouble 2:09 into overtime of the 3-2 win against Finland in the championship game.
The 19-year-old, who was born and began playing hockey in Switzerland while his father played there, moved to Carp, Ontario, when he was 8. He is tied for third among NHL rookies with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists), and is tied for first with three power-play goals in 35 games. McTavish was selected by the Ducks with the No. 3 pick of the 2021 draft.

Cole Perfetti, F, Winnipeg Jets: Perfetti, chosen No. 10 in the 2020 NHL Draft, had six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games for silver-medalist Canada at the 2021 WJC. He's tied for third among NHL rookies with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 33 games. The 20-year-old could become the fifth rookie in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history with 50 points in a season, joining Dany Heatley (67 points, 2001-02), Patrik Laine (64, 2016-17), Kyle Connor (57, 2017-18) and Ilya Kovalchuk (51, 2001-02).
Shane Pinto, F, Ottawa Senators: Pinto had seven points (four goals, three assists) in five games and was named one of the United States' top three players at the 2020 WJC. Selected in the second round (No. 32) in the 2019 draft, Pinto is tied for second among rookies in goals (10), and tied for sixth in points (16). He's second in shots on goal (65) and fourth in shooting percentage (15.4 percent; minimum 20 games).
Jack Quinn, F, Buffalo Sabres: The 21-year-old right wing had five points (one goal, four assists) for Canada at the 2021 WJC. He's fifth among NHL rookies with 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) while averaging 13:55 in ice time in 27 games. Quinn, chosen No. 8 in the 2020 draft, is fifth among rookies with a 15.0 percent shooting percentage (minimum 20 games) and Buffalo controls 52.2 percent of all shots attempted at 5-on-5 with Quinn on the ice. He had a six-game point streak (three goals, four assists) from Nov. 28-Dec. 9; he's the first Sabres skater age 21 or younger to have a point in at least six straight since defenseman Rasmus Dahlin had a six-game streak from Feb. 9-22, 2020.