The World Junior Championships are set to kick off in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta starting December 26th and will run through January 5th. The Flyers will be represented at this tournament as three of the team’s prospects will appear on three separate teams.
Forward Elliot Desnoyers will be a part of Team Canada. Defenseman Emil Andrae will once again suit up for Team Sweden. And defenseman Brian Zanetti will get his first opportunity to play for Team Switzerland.
Elliot Desnoyers
After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Desnoyers has proven that he had a lot more upside to his game. A trade that sent him from the Moncton Wildcats to the Halifax Mooseheads has paid dividends for his junior career. He saw an increased offensive role, taking that opportunity and running with it.
As an assistant captain for the Mooseheads, Desnoyers broke out for 21 goals and 49 goals in 37 games. That broke his highs from the prior season in 24 fewer games. Now as captain of the Mooseheads, Desnoyers is once again having a strong campaign. He has 16 goals and 36 points in 23 games. Once seen as a potential project pick, he now could be a diamond in the rough pick for the Flyers.
Desnoyers is a versatile player and can be placed anywhere in the lineup. He plays on the top power play unit and is one of Halifax’s best penalty killers. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done on the ice. While he may not be one of Canada’s top players to start, he still adds a strong work ethic and commitment to the team. He could certainly move up the lineup if need be.
Emil Andrae
Andrae was drafted by the Flyers in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He is no stranger when it comes to playing for and in Sweden. In fact, he’s spent his entire young career in the various leagues throughout Sweden. As for his international career, he has played with various national teams. He had an opportunity to captain the U18 team for 13 games during the 2019-20 season.
This also isn’t his first go around with the WJC team. He was a part of Team Sweden last year, though a much smaller role than he’s expected to have this time around. He grabbed one point in five games last year. This time, Andrae will have the opportunity to captain his national team.
His current team, HV71, is a part of the Allsvenskan league at the moment as they were relegated for this season. Andrae has done fairly well with his current squad, posting two goals and 16 points. Those are the best numbers he has put up with what is typically known as a powerhouse team.
Andrae has already suited up for nine prep games ahead of the WJC. He put up solid numbers, recording one goal and seven points in those games. With an increased role this time around, he should be able to put last years experience to good use.
Brian Zanetti
Zanetti was taken by the Flyers in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Despite being taken in a later round, Zanetti actually impressed during Philadelphia’s Development and Rookie Camp. Previously playing in Switzerland, he made his North American debut this season with the Peterborough Petes.
He has appeared in 17 games for the Petes, posting nine points, all of which have been assists. Like Andrae, Zanetti has played in various age categories with the Swiss team as he too has climbed the ranks of international play. Most recently, he played with the U18 team in the World Championships last year. He recorded one assist in five games. This will be his U20 debut with the Swiss National Team.
No stranger to U20 play itself, however, Zanetti was coming off a career season with the Lugano U20 squad. There he had nine goals and 29 points. He’ll need more time to develop, but does have an upside to his game if all goes well.
Once again, everything kicks off on December 26th. Flyers fans will have a chance to see Andrae and the Swedes take on Russia at 4:30 EST. Desnoyers and Canada will face the Czechs at 7:00 EST. Zanetti’s tournament won’t begin until the 27th when the Swiss take on Russia at 4:30 EST.