Over at The Athletic, Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman projected the rosters for the World Juniors tournament in December, and four St. Louis Blues prospects made the cut. A couple of others were mentioned as options, depending on how their seasons start, or if they play their way into the conversation.
The first Blue named is the recently selected goaltender, Love Harenstam, projected to be the starting goalie for Team Sweden. Harenstam is an average-sized goalie who hasn't necessarily popped in juniors, but he's likely the best option the Swedes will have.
Team Czechia, meanwhile, will be loaded with Blues prospects--in top-of-the-lineup roles too, no less. Pronman and Wheeler project 2024 3rd-round picks Ondrej Kos and Adam Jecho as the top wingers on Czechia. Kos hasn't exactly popped on the score sheet, but Jecho put up 53 points in 56 games in the WHL for the Edmonton Oil Kings last season.
On the backend, top defense prospect Adam Jiricek is projected to the top pair. Jiricek missed a lot of time due to injury, and only played 27 games in the OHL in 2024-25, registering 12 points. However, at last year's U-20 tournament, he had five points in seven games--hopefully, he's healthy and playing at an elevated level this year.
One glaring omission from the rosters is Justin Carbonneau, taken 19th overall earlier this summer, on Team Canada. He was one of the final cuts for Wheeler and Pronman, and part of their reasoning was that Carbonneau might make the NHL to start the season--and Carbonneau himself certainly has his sights set on turning pro. If he doesn't make the team, starts the season on fire, or another player on Canada's roster gets injured, it would open the door for Carbonneau to make the roster and represent his country at the World Juniors.