The 2026 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championship ended Monday with Sweden earning the gold medal after defeating Czechia 4-2 in the final. The young skaters — including the three Chicago Blackhawks prospects — showed what they have to offer their future professional teams.
The Hawks had at least one gold medalist in each of the last five World Junior championships: Connor Bedard, Landon Slaggert, Ethan Del Mastro, Colton Dach, Kevin Korchinski, Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel and Gavin Hayes. A new name joined the list this week.
Here’s how the three Hawks prospects fared at the World Juniors.
1. Anton Frondell
For the first time since 2016, neither the United States nor Canada appeared in the World Juniors final. Instead, Sweden reigned victorious thanks to Frondell’s heroics.
The 2025 No. 3 pick scored five goals, the second most on the team. The most important horn sound wasn’t included in that total, though.
In a semifinal against Finland, Frondell scored the winning goal in a shootout on his third attempt to send Sweden to the championship game. The crowd at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minn., couldn’t believe what they saw, and the 18-year-old couldn’t believe what he did, either.
“I blacked out,” Frondell said. “It was an amazing feeling.”
He was named the tournament’s best forward and earned a spot on the all-star team. He scored the first goal of the game three times.
Frondell’s motivation to kick things off should be a welcome addition to the Hawks when he skates with Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and company.
“He’s been really good,” Sweden coach Magnus Hävelid said. “He’s a leader for us on ice, off ice.”
Frondell spent this season skating for the SHL’s Djurgårdens IF. He has 15 points (10 goals, five assists) in 25 games.
2. AJ Spellacy
Team USA was in a tough spot in a quest for a three-peat with an entirely new roster. Spellacy joined the team with hopes of making his mark in the tournament.
A third-round pick in 2024, Spellacy, 19, was the fastest skater at the World Juniors, revving up to 23.7 mph. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound right winger showed his strength on the penalty kill too.
The U.S didn’t win a medal for the first time since 2022, but Spellacy represented the Hawks well, totaling four points (one goal, three assists) in five games.
Spellacy has spent the last four seasons with the OHL’s Winsdor Spitfires, compiling 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) this season.
3. Václav Nestrašil
Picked in the first round at No. 25 in 2025, Václav Nestrašil chose the college path after two years skating for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. He’s learning a thing or two from the Minutemen.
The UMass freshman was an offensive anchor for Czechia, setting up teammates with scoring chances. His eight points (two goals, six assists) lifted his country to the final before losing to Frondell and Sweden. The future teammates had a nice moment in the handshake line after the final.
In 18 games with UMass, the right winger has 20 points (10 goals and 10 assists).