PROSPECTS: Kos helps Czechia to silver at World Juniors

Jakub Kos is heading home with a silver medal around his neck.
Shining bright for Czechia at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, the 19-year-old forward recorded five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games, including scoring the game-tying goal in the third period of the gold-medal game to force overtime against Canada on Thursday.

With Czechia trailing 2-1, Ottawa Senators prospect Tomas Hamara threw a puck toward the net that Kos was able to deflect past goaltender Thomas Milic to make it 2-2. With the action then shifting to 3-on-3 in overtime, Dylan Guenther scored the golden goal to win it for Canada.
Selected in the sixth round (184th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Kos wasn't the only Florida Panther prospect representing Czechia at the best-on-best U20 international tournament. Marek Alscher, a third-round pick (93rd overall) in 2022, was also there, but did not suit up.
Leaving Nova Scotia with their heads held high, the Czechs not only captured their first medal since taking home bronze back in 2005, but also played for gold for the first time since 2001.
"The whole team gives us that motivation,"
Kos told IIHF.com after the gold-medal game
. "Everybody knows that we have that thing in our team, that we can do everything. I've said many times, I'm so proud of this team and for the whole team. Of course, the players are on the ice, but people don't see the other people who care about the team. So I would like to thank everybody."

JANSSON'S AN ALL-STAR

Ludvig Jansson put himself on the map at the World Juniors.
Taken by the Panthers in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old defenseman earned a spot on the tournament's All-Star Team after helping Sweden reach the bronze-medal game by posting 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games.
Chosen by the media, Jansson was Sweden's only player to make the All-Star Team.
While he consistently found his way onto the scoresheet throughout the World Juniors, Jansson's biggest game came when he scored a pair of goals -- including the game-winner in overtime -- to lead Sweden to a 3-2 win over Czechia in the preliminary round on Dec. 29.
Jansson's four goals were tied for the most among all defensemen at the tournament.

VILMANIS WILL BE BACK

Sandis Vilmanis isn't going anywhere!
Helping Latvia remain in the main group for the World Juniors in 2024, Vilmanis recorded a goal and assist over the course of two wins against Austria in the tournament's best-of-three relegation series.
Netting a key insurance goal during the series-clinching game on Jan. 4, Vilmanis, a fifth-round pick (157th overall) of the Panthers in the 2022 NHL Draft, finished off a give-and-go by beating Austrian goaltender Thomas Pfarrmeier to put Latvia up 4-0 in the third period of an eventual 4-2 win.
Only 18 years old, Vilmanis will be eligible for next year's tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden.