This years World Junior Championship marks the return of Team USA to the historical place where they won their first ever gold medal, back in 2004. Ryan Kesler and Patrick O'Sullivan where the heroes that day, beating Canada 4-3 with three goals in the last period. Kesler went on to have, what is still a great career with Vancouver & Anaheim, while O'Sullivan has already retired from hockey at the age of 27.
O'Sullivan recently released a book "breaking away" where he writes about being abused as a kid and the ruthless hockey industry for young players like him.
These are just two example of how different things can end up, after what is supposed to be a great start to a hockey career.
Team USA has faced back to back quarterfinal eliminations on the hands of Russia, since winning the gold medal in Ufa in 2013. Adding to that, they also lost twice to Canada in the last two WJC, besides having great talent like Jack Eichel on their roster.
Behind Captain Zach Werenski, this years' roster features three Bruins prospects all drafted between 2014 and 2015.
One of them being Boston native Ryan Donato, son of former B's forward and Harvard University Captain Tod. Since getting drafted 56th overall in 2014 the Center spent time on 4 different teams, including the US development program before making the move to Harvard this summer, where he's coached by his father.
He sees himself as a two-way forward that can help the team in any kind of situation, just like his idol Patrice Bergeron.
Scouts describe him as an intelligent player, with good vision but lack of mobility.
Donato has 9 points in just 10 games, for the team that has won the ECAC title in Lake Placid last season.
Donato is joined by 5th round pick Anders Bjork, making his WJC debut after already appearing in 2 major youth competitions for Team USA.
In these two tournaments, Bjork has already won a bronze (WHC-17) and gold (WJC-18) medal.
The cousin of Tampa Bay forward Erik Condra is playing his second season with Notre Dame in Hockey East. After getting used to college hockey last year, he's now the teams top scorer, scoring almost point per game with 16 in just 17 games played.
Although being drafted this season instead of 2014, Brandon Carlo has already achieved something Bjork and Donato have yet to reach. He scored a preseason goal for the Bruins back in September and signed an entry-level contract with the big club.
The colorado native stands at 6'5'' and 203 lbs and has already appeared in last years World Junior Championship.
Carlo is playing his 3rd season with the WHL's Tri-City Americans, serving as an assistent captain.
He's described as defensive defenseman, smooth skater and seems to always make the right decision in all three zones. His lack of offensive has decreased on a regular basis in the last three seasons, from 13 points (71 games) in his rookie season to now 14 in just 22 games.
The 19-year old has also no problem to step up for himself or his teammates by getting into a fight.
Massachusetts native Colin White (21st overall by Senators) in serving as assistant captain besides destined #1 overall Auston Matthews and Captain Zach Werenski (8th overall by Columbus).
Team USA also features 17-year old Connecticut native Chad Krys, who's supposed to go top 50 in next years draft and will be playing for BU next season.
In group A they will face Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland and Canada, playing in the smaller of 2 arenas in Helsinki.
This years WJC marks the third consecutive time that a Bruins prospect is featured on Team Sverige, after Linus Arnesson in 2014 and Anton Blidh in 2015. While Arnesson lost a dramatic OT-final against rival Finnland, last years team failed to achieve a medal for the first time since 2011.
Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson left Sweden at the age of 15 to play for USHL team Omaha Lancers.
He played for Sweden in three different World Championships, earning a gold medal at the U-17 level in 2012.
The Center out of Stockholm managed to impress ever since, finishing as the teams top scorer last season with 53 points (15 goals + 38 assists) in 50 games.
After getting drafted 45th overall by the Bruins, Karlsson signed with the Terriers of Boston University in September. He's ranked 4th in team scoring with 14 points in 18 games, including 10 assists.
Sweden is led by multiple 1st round picks, including William Nylander (Leafs) and his brother Alexander (top 30 pick 2016), Joel Eriksson Ek (Wild), Adrian Kempe (Kings) and on defense Gabriel Carlsson (Blue Jackets) and Jacob Larsson (Ducks)
The Czech Republic has lost their top scorer from last season in rookie sensation David Pastrnak.
Pastah just came back from injury and the B's front office thought it would be smarter to give him some time in the AHL than send him to Europe in order to play at the WJC.
This still leaves the team with two Bruins prospects in 1st round pick Jakub Zboril and goaltender Daniel Vladar.
Vladar is playing his 1st season in America, after joining USHL team Chicago Steel in the summer.
He spent all his career in his home country with Praha and Kladno, before being drafted 75th overall this season. With 13 games played, Vladar is ranked 3rd in SVS% with .925 behind league leading Adam Huska (Team Slovakia).
The 6'5'' tall goalie has been the starter at the Under 18 level last year and served as the 3rd goalie at the World Juniors.
He's likely to split time with last seasons' starter Vitek Vanacek (Capitals) this time.
Jakub Zboril was the first of three consecutive B's picks in this years 1st round draft.
He's labeled as low-risk, high-reward player who style is close to what Keith Yandle is playing.
Before making the trip to America, Zboril spent five seasons with different youth teams from his hometown club HC Kometra Brno. He was part of two U-16 championship teams at the age of 13 & 15, starting to play on an international level with just 14 years.
Alongside fellow Bruins prospect David Pastrnak, he won a silver medal at the 2014 Under 18 WJC in Finland.
The 6'2'' defenseman is playing in his 2nd season for QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs and has yet to find last seasons form where he managed 33 points in just 44 games.
Zboril joins a rather unknown d-corps alongside Bolts prospect Dominik Masin, who's already playing his 2nd World Juniors.
The offense is lead by Devils 1st round pick Pavel Zacha, Filip Chlapik (Senators), Michael Spacek (Jets) and high scoring winger Simon Stransky who's eligible for next years draft and playing for Price Albert right now.
Czech Republic will play at the big Hartwall Arena against host Finland, Russia, Slovakia and underdog Belarus.
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