All three Chicago Blackhawks prospects in action at the 2025–26 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota made their tournament debuts on Friday, as Day One wrapped up without any major upsets. While the results mostly went according to plan, several tournament favorites—including Canada, Sweden, and the United States—showed early signs that they still have work to do despite opening-day wins.
Sweden 3, Slovakia 2
Anton Frondell (Chicago Blackhawks) made his mark immediately.
Sweden opened the entire tournament with a tight 3–2 win over a gritty and well-prepared Slovakian team, and Frondell was front and center from the start. The Blackhawks prospect scored the first goal of the entire tournament, finding the net midway through the second period to give Sweden a spark in a game that required patience and structure.
Frondell wasn’t done there. He added an assist later in the game and finished with nine shots on goal, including seven in the second period alone. Sweden leaned heavily on him offensively, and he responded with confidence and poise.
Playing on the wing, Frondell showed off his powerful release and strong puck instincts throughout the night. He logged 18:08 of ice time and was named Sweden’s best player of the game, a well-earned recognition in a tight opening matchup.
United States 6, Germany 3
AJ Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks) quietly delivered one of the most effective all-around performances of the day.
The United States opened with a 6–3 win over Germany, and while the scoresheet may not fully tell the story, Spellacy’s impact was felt in every zone. The Blackhawks prospect recorded two assists, both coming on goals scored by Will Zellers, but his contributions went far beyond points.
Spellacy played with pace and purpose, throwing timely hits, creating traffic around the net, and tipping pucks that forced difficult saves. He was reliable on the penalty kill, played a physical game without overreaching, and consistently did the small things that help teams win at this level.
It was a mature performance from Spellacy—one that highlighted why coaches trust him in key situations and why his game translates so well to international play.
Canada 7, Czechia 5
Vaclav Nestrasil (Chicago Blackhawks) impressed despite the loss.
The most entertaining game of Day One belonged to Canada and Czechia, a back-and-forth battle that featured 12 total goals and momentum swings throughout. Canada led 2–1 after the first period, Czechia grabbed a brief lead in the second, and the third period exploded with six combined goals as Canada pulled away late.
Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh led Canada with two goals, but from a Blackhawks perspective, Vaclav Nestrasil stood out for the Czech side. Nestrasil finished the game with two assists and nearly opened the scoring early after missing on a breakaway.
What stood out most was his overall approach. Nestrasil consistently attacked the middle of the ice, didn’t hesitate to drive the net, and showed strong vision with the puck. His assist on Galvas’ goal was particularly impressive—a sharp, well-timed play that highlighted his awareness and composure under pressure.
Boston University head coach Greg Carvel recently summed up Nestrasil’s development perfectly:
“He’s a first-round draft pick for a reason. What he needs at the NCAA level, and in our program specifically, is to mature his game.”
That growth is already evident. Nestrasil is showing it this season, and he showed it again on the World Junior stage in Minnesota.
Early Tournament Thoughts
Day One didn’t deliver surprises on the scoreboard, but it did send a clear message: even the favorites aren’t flawless. Canada, Sweden, and the United States all opened the tournament with wins, yet none looked untouchable in their first outing.
From a Blackhawks perspective, it was an excellent start. Anton Frondell, AJ Spellacy, and Vaclav Nestrasil all recorded two points, making an immediate impact for their respective teams. Frondell set the tone early by scoring the first goal of the entire tournament, finishing the night with a goal and an assist, and earning Player of the Game honors for Sweden.
Spellacy and Nestrasil matched that production in different ways—bringing physicality, smart puck play, and strong awareness in all three zones. Each showed confidence and purpose in their opening games.
As the tournament continues, Blackhawks fans will have plenty of reasons to stay locked in. All three prospects started strong, and if Day One was any indication, their influence should only grow as the competition ramps up.
WJC: Day Two Preview
Day Two of the 2025–26 IIHF World Junior Championship continues Saturday with four games on the schedule. Two of those matchups will feature Chicago Blackhawks prospects, giving fans another chance to track their progress early in the tournament.
Slovakia vs. Germany — 1:00 PM
Both teams are looking to establish themselves in the group after competitive opening performances. Structure and discipline should play a big role in this matchup, especially if the game stays tight early.
Canada vs. Latvia — 4:30 PM
Canada enters as the clear favorite, but Latvia has a history of playing organized, hard-working games at this level. The Canadians will look to control the pace early and avoid giving the underdog any momentum.
USA vs. Switzerland — 5:00 PM
Blackhawks prospect AJ Spellacy returns to the ice as the United States takes on Switzerland. Spellacy is coming off a strong opening game where he recorded two points, and it will be interesting to see how he builds on that performance. This marks Switzerland’s first game of the tournament, making their early execution and defensive structure key against the two-time defending gold medalists.
Czechia vs. Denmark — 7:30 PM
Blackhawks prospect Vaclav Nestrasil and Czechia will be looking to pick up their first win of the tournament on Day Two. Czechia plays a heavy, fast, and hard-working style, while Denmark enters as the underdog. The Danes will have their hands full if Czechia establishes its forecheck and physical presence early.
Day Two should provide a clearer sense of which teams are settling into the tournament—and more opportunities for Blackhawks prospects to continue making an impact.
Home › Forums › Hawks Prospects Shine On Day One Of WJC