If Team Canada is going to win gold at the 2017 World Juniors, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be the NHL organization most to thank.
At last year’s World Juniors, no NHL team was represented by more than two of their prospects (Arizona, Toronto, New York) on Team Canada. This year, the Lightning will send a record five prospects to Team Canada for the annual tournament, which brings together the best under-20 prospects in hockey.
Up front, 2016 second round pick Taylor Raddysh, and 2015 draftees Mathieu Joseph (fourth round), Anthony Cirelli (third round) and Mitchell Stephens (second round) make up a third of Canada’s top-12 forwards.