World Juniors 2025 Predictions: Favorites, Picks and Best Players to Watch
At 3DownNation, we live and breathe hockey, and that includes the excitement of the World Juniors. As experts in hockey betting, we know exactly what fans and bettors need: reliable insights, expert predictions, and sharp analysis. In this guide, we highlight the favorites to win the tournament, spotlight the best players at the 2025 World Juniors, and break down our predictions.
Whether you’re looking for World Juniors picks or just want to know which teams and stars to watch, you’re in the right place. Trust 3DownNation to deliver the insights you need to stay ahead of the game.
Top Apps for Betting on the WJC 2025
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Favorites to Win the 2025 World Junior Championship
Right now, the United States and Canada are neck-and-neck in the World Juniors odds.
According to Sports Interaction, the USA is +140 to win and Canada is +175. Those two teams are expected to be the true contenders this year and are the top World Junior picks.
Sweden is a distant third at +550 and the next-best team, Finland, is +750. There’s an even bigger gap after that with Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic) at +2500.
The main reason the United States is the favorite is because they are the defending champions. Bringing back much of the same roster for 2025 suggests they will once again be a great team. NHL prospects litter their roster:
- Ryan Leonard
- Gabe Perrault
- Zeev Buium
- Oliver Moore
- Cole Eiserman
- Trevor Connelly
- Trey Augustine
The list truly goes on, but the United States has a stacked roster to defend its title.
Canada is a major player in this tournament for many of the same reasons. They also have a deep roster with prospects like Porter Martone and Matthew Schaefer to lean on. Their strength has been shown in this tournament, as they have the most titles in its World Juniors history.
The United States and Canada have both won five times since 2010. These two teams have dominated as of late, collectively winning seven of the last eight World Juniors.
World Junior Picks: Teams to Watch
Of course, no tournament is complete without those underdogs that surprise. Not every winner is an underdog, as the recent success of the USA and Canada proves, but underdogs can do well. This year, almost every other nation is a major underdog.
- Finland is +750 to win, but they have a silver and fourth-place finish in the last three years.
- Czechia has a silver and bronze medal in the last two years but is +2500.
These nations boast improving youth programs as evidenced by their recent success in the World Juniors. They also have capable players who can deliver them a title. For Finland, those are:
- Konsta Helenius
- Rasmus Kumpulainen
- Kasper Halttunen
- Jesse Kiiskinen
For Czechia, players like Eduard Sale and Adam Jiricek and potential first-rounder Radim Mrtka can make an impact. They have the top-end talent to change a game, which should matter even if their overall roster isn’t as deep as other nations.
Best Players at the World Juniors 2025
The World Juniors is full of future NHL talent, but there are a few players who will be monumental to the success of their teams and must-watch whenever they’re on the ice.
- Jack Plandowski currently leads the AJHL in scoring. The forward has already amassed 37 points (18 goals and 19 assists) in just 26 games for the Calgary Canucks. It’s a true breakout after just 21 points (12 goals and nine assists) in 52 games last year.
- Matthew Souliere has been one of the OJHL’s top first-year players this year and has put up 34 points (18 goals and 16 assists) in 26 games with the Trenton Golden Hawks. Ryker Lee has 24 points in 20 games in his USHL rookie year with the Madison Capitals.
- Finally, you should keep an eye on American goalie Kam Hendrickson, who has a sterling .918 save percentage and 2.58 GAA this year.
Expert World Junior Predictions: Final Thoughts
For good reason, the United States and Canada are expected to win this tournament. Only one can, and both teams have strong cases for why they should be picked.
Thanks to deep rosters, excellent youth programs, and good coaching staffs, they have had plenty of success in recent tournaments and have confidence heading into this one.
Winning back-to-back tournaments is hard, though it has happened from time to time. In fact, Canada won back-to-back IIHF Championships in 2022 and 2023.
We predict Canada will prevent the USA from doing the same and capturing their 21st title to become Worlds Juniors winners.
Fans and interested bettors should pay close attention to the United States and Canada. How they do in group stages and even pre-tournament matches will serve as a good indicator of how they’re poised to perform. Players like Jack Plandowski, Zeev Buium, Kam Hendrickson, Anton Frondell, Nolan DuPont, and Shaan Kingwell can play a huge role this year.
FAQs
Who are the favorites to win the World Juniors 2025?
According to Sports Interaction and Bet365 Sportsbook, the United States and Canada are the favorites to win the World Juniors 2025. The USA is +120, slightly ahead of Canada at +150. Odds are subject to change as the tournament approaches, though.
Which players should I watch at the World Juniors?
Keep an eye on Jack Plandowski, Kam Hendrickson, and Matthew Souliere.
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