Along with the calendar flipping to 2026, we have what will most likely stand as the most action filled Prospect Tracker of the entire season!
For starters, some of the info below comes off the back of an electric World Junior Championship that featured six Kings prospects competing on hockey’s biggest U-20 stage. For the NHL Draft eligibles playing in the tournament, it’s often said that a bad WJC showing won’t hurt, but a good one can certainly improve your stock. That notion can be applied here, as well. Two Kings prospects had a phenomenal run — and we’ll get into that in a bit — and even the Liam Greentree situation is easy to digest. As discussed before the games were even played, his ice time was largely a function of political issues within Team Canada. He’ll be just fine once he turns pro. The kid has skills.
On the flip side, Vojtěch Čihař stole the show, earning tournament MVP honors, despite Czechia falling in the gold medal game. He’s a name you’re going to be hearing a lot more about in the near future. Additionally, Brendan McMorrow was named player of the game in Team USA’s opener. It was a breakout event for the Denver University forward.
Meanwhile, as college and junior hockey returned from their holiday break to begin the second half of their seasons, three (!) Kings junior players were involved in blockbuster trades before the CHL trade deadline. We’ll cover it all in this week’s reports, which cover games played through the end of day Wednesday, January 7th.
Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Henry Brzustewicz, London Knights, RH Defenseman (31st overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 11 goals, 9 assists, minus-19, 39 PIM in 30 games played
After being released from Team USA’s World Junior Championship roster following the first pre-tournament game, Brzustewicz rejoined London and picked up right where he left off. In the four games since his return, the 18-year-old rearguard registered a goal and an assist while firing 14 shots on goal. His goal came when he found himself net-front and redirected a slapshot from the point. The assist came two games later, as he chipped the puck off the boards from behind the net to start a breakout. London went 2-2-0 with the six-foot-two blueliner back in the lineup and holds fourth place in the Western Conference and seventh overall.
Jan Chovan, Sudbury Wolves, Center/Right Wing (184th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 7 goals, 13 assists, minus-19, 2 PIM in 30 games played
Chovan played a prominent role for Slovakia at the World Junior Championship, anchoring the second line throughout the tournament and playing in all situations; he also played the most minutes among forwards on his team. Chovan scored one goal in five games, though his most memorable moment came off the ice. Channeling his inner Mark Messier, Chovan boldly predicted Slovakia would beat Canada in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, it proved to be bulletin board material, as Canada scored seven unanswered goals in the first two periods en route to a 7-1 victory. His consolation prize was scoring Slovakia’s lone goal of the game, firing an absolute laser from the left circle to beat the Canadian netminder top shelf. Back with Sudbury, the sixth-round pick tallied two assists in his first game and looks poised to build on his 20 points through 30 games.
Our very own Jan Chovan gets his first of the World Juniors#ThrowbackEra #WolvesNation pic.twitter.com/HZRJFse9uk
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) January 3, 2026
Carter George, Soo Greyhounds, Goalie (57th overall in 2024)
2025-26 Stats: 3.12 GAA, .899 SV%, 1 SO, 1 assist, 10 wins in 22 games played
It has been a whirlwind week for George, who returned from the World Junior Championship only to be traded days later. His tournament had its ups and downs. Despite coming into the event as Canada’s likely No. 1 starter and winning all three of his group stage starts, George was replaced by Jack Ivankovic (Nashville prospect) for the quarterfinal and semifinal games. George then got the call for the bronze medal game and delivered his finest performance, making 32 saves with a .914 save percentage in a win over Finland. He finished with a 4-0-0 record, .869 save percentage, and 3.25 goals-against average.
Back at his day job in Owen Sound, the team had struggled without him during the tournament, posting an 0-6-2. Then, on Wednesday, they made a blockbuster move. George was traded to the legendary Soo Greyhounds in exchange for seven draft picks. He expressed gratitude for his time with the Attack while looking forward to his new opportunity. “I’m incredibly grateful for my time with the Attack,” George said, “At the same time, I am excited for this opportunity to start this new chapter with the Soo Greyhounds…I’m coming in motivated and focused on doing whatever it takes to help this team compete for a championship.” George joins a Soo team that sits in ninth place overall, and he’ll look to provide top-level goaltending worthy of such a massive haul.
Liam Greentree, Windsor Spitfires, Right Wing (26th overall in 2024)
2025-26 Stats: 16 goals, 16 assists, plus-4, 29 PIM in 23 games played
Greentree made Canada’s roster for the first time but unfortunately saw extremely limited action throughout the tournament. The power forward was a healthy scratch for four of Canada’s seven games and logged just 9:01 of total ice time across three appearances. Of those nine minutes, 6:09 came in the bronze medal game against Finland, meaning he logged just 2:52 combined in his first two games. Greentree made the most of his increased opportunity during his final start, recording an assist, which stood as his only point of the tournament. Despite such a limited role, Greentree returns to fourth-place Windsor with a bronze medal around his neck.
Jimmy Lombardi, Flint Firebirds, Center (125th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 23 goals, 23 assists, plus-15, 38 PIM in 37 games played
Signing his entry level contract with the Kings a few weeks back hasn’t slowed Lombardi one bit. He recorded five points over his last three games, including two multi-point nights as part of victories over London and Sarnia. Against the Sting, he had a gimme tap-in goal, as well as an assist, marking his 17th multi-point game of the year. LA’s 2025 fourth-round pick now has 46 points on the season, surpassing his career-high 45 points from last season — in 25 fewer games. Flint has gone 3-2-0 since the break and sits in second place in the OHL, just one point back of Ottawa.
Nathan Aspinall
Darian Anderson
— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) January 3, 2026
Jared Woolley, Kitchener Rangers, LH Defenseman (164th overall in 2024)
2025-26 Stats: 10 goals, 15 assists, plus-12, 44 PIM in 37 games played
The trade rumors became reality on Wednesday morning. London dealt Woolley and forward Sam O’Reilly to the Kitchener Rangers in a blockbuster trade that netted the Knights a player and 10 draft picks spanning from 2026 to 2029. The 6-foot-5 defenseman was one of the most sought-after players leading up to the OHL trade deadline, with multiple contenders expressing interest in adding his size, two-way ability, and championship experience. He now joins a Kitchener team that sits in fifth place, nine points back of first, and will look to bolster their blue line for a deep playoff run.
Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vojtěch Čihař, Kelowna Rockets, Forward (59th overall in 2025)
2025-26 WHL Stats: 0 goals, 2 assists, plus-1, 2 PIM in 1 game played
2025-26 Czechia Stats: 4 goals, 4 assists, minus-2, 8 PIM in 27 games played
Čihař put on an absolute masterclass at the World Juniors, earning the tournament MVP award despite Czechia falling 4-2 to Sweden in the gold medal game. The second-round pick finished this year’s tournament with 11 points (4G, 7A) in seven games, ranking first among all non-Canadian players and fourth overall. For his exceptional play, Čihař joins an elite list of past tournament MVPs that includes names like: Bedard, Bergeron, Eberle, Kuznetsov, Malkin, and Tavares. For good measure, he also made the All-Tournament team. Those honors didn’t go to his head, though, as he was humble when speaking to the media, saying — “I’m really happy for MVP, but it’s because of the whole team, not just me.”
As we’ve discussed here for much of the last month, the 18-year-old was scheduled to join the WHL following his time with Team Czechia — and he wasted no time making an impact. In his WHL debut, Čihař recorded two assists as part of Kelowna’s 5-2 victory over Tri-City. His first helper came after getting bumped below the goal line but retaining possession of the puck, while his second came on an empty-net goal. Kelowna sits in seventh place in the Western Conference, and Čihař hopes to help them climb the standings, as they head toward the WHL playoffs in late March.
VOJTECH CIHAR WITH A NASTY GOAL TO GIVE CZECHIA THE LEAD#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/60pIyRDxCC
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2026
Will Sharpe, Vancouver Giants, LH Defenseman (216th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 3 goals, 13 assists, plus-1, 14 PIM in 24 games played
While all the big trade headlines took place over in the OHL, there was still another Kings junior-aged player on the move. Sharpe was traded to the Vancouver Giants for a sizable package, bringing the Ladner, B.C. native within 30 minutes of his hometown; Kelowna received a player and two picks in exchange for him. Giants General Manager Hnat Domenichelli was quoted as saying, “We are very excited to add Will to our blueline. As a 2007-born NHL drafted defenseman, he will be a major piece for our team immediately. His leadership, skating ability and hockey IQ make him a perfect fit as we start a new era in Vancouver.” They currently find themselves 10th in the Western Conference, five points back of Kelowna and the last playoff spot, and will be counting on Sharpe to help fuel a late-season push.
COLLEGE HOCKEY (NCAA)
Ryan Conmy, Boston College, Right Wing (182nd overall in 2023)
2025-26 Stats: 7 goals, 6 assists, plus-3, 6 PIM in 18 games played
Conmy came back from the holiday break itching to score, and he did just that. A mere 15 seconds into the third period against Western Michigan, he corralled a rebound in front of the net and wrapped it behind fellow Kings prospect Hampton Slukynsky. Conmy also notched an assist earlier in the game, recording his third multi-point performance in 18 games this season. Despite his offense, Boston College couldn’t secure the victory over WMU, falling 5-3. BC bounced back the next night to beat Lake Superior State 4-3. The Eagles sit 13th in the national rankings with an 11-6-1 record and are just one point back of Connecticut for first place in Hockey East.
Conmy follows up on the rebound!
B1G+ | B1G+ pic.twitter.com/XXF7vMHUoP
— BC Men's Hockey (@BC_MHockey) December 29, 2025
Kristian Epperson, Univ. of Denver, Left Wing (88th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 6 goals, 3 assists, plus-1, 12 PIM in 21 games played
Epperson scored his sixth goal of the season off a deflection that went five-hole in Denver’s first game back from the holiday break. The Pioneers dropped that contest 5-2 to Maine, then the teams met again the next night and tied 3-3 (note: Maine won the skills competition, but shootouts don’t determine winners in college hockey.) The third-round pick has drawn comparisons to LA Kings forward Alex Iafallo for his Swiss Army knife-style game that contributes in all situations, and he’ll continue to be a key piece for Denver as they push toward the postseason.
Caeden Herrington, Univ. of Vermont, RH Defenseman (120th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 1 goal, 4 assists, minus-8, 10 PIM in 16 games played
Herrington logged 19:36 of ice time and fired one shot on goal in Vermont’s 3-0 victory over RPI. The Vermont native continues to see substantial minutes as a freshman. His team sits in second-to-last place in Hockey East and they’ll be in a dog fight to get things back on track over the next few months — with Herrington playing a key role on the blue line.
Brendan McMorrow, Univ. of Denver, Left Wing (196th overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 2 goals, 5 assists, plus-6, 4 PIM in 17 games played
McMorrow made the most of his opportunity with Team USA, recording four points (1G, 3A) in five games before the Americans fell to Finland in the quarterfinals. Stats alone don’t tell the story, as he was noticeable nearly every time he touched the ice. The seventh-round pick played in a bottom-6 role, plus saw time on the top penalty kill unit, plus earned USA’s Best Player honor in the tournament opener against Germany. He scored his only goal in a win over Slovakia and picked up an assist in the quarterfinal loss to Finland, but left that game with a broken finger after blocking a shot on the penalty kill. Team USA head coach Bob Motzko praised his effort afterward, saying, “[He] broke a finger blocking a shot. Laying out, doing the things you had to do.” McMorrow will now return to Denver and hope the finger heals quickly, as the Pioneers push toward the postseason.
THE U.S. RESPOND QUICKLY
Brendan McMorrow tucks it home to cut the Slovak lead in half!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/osaJiYpgp8
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2025
James Reeder, Univ. of Denver, Right Wing (198th overall in 2024)
2025-26 Stats: 4 goals, 10 assists, plus-11, 2 PIM in 21 games played
Reeder was unable to find the scoresheet in last week’s back-to-back set against Maine, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t contribute. The right winger averaged 18:17 of ice time over those two games and registered a shot on goal in each contest, continuing to earn significant minutes from the coaching staff. His consistent deployment speaks to the trust he’s earned as a reliable two-way forward. Denver sits seventh in the national rankings and second in the NCHC, just one point behind fourth-ranked North Dakota for first place in the conference.
Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan Univ., Goalie (118th overall in 2023)
2025-26 Stats: 2.46 GAA, .901 SV%, 3 SO, 2 assists, 14 wins in 20 games played
Slukynsky didn’t need to shake off any rust after the three-week holiday break, starting all four games and leading Western Michigan to four straight victories. The LA Kings’ top goalie prospect posted back-to-back shutouts against Notre Dame, stopping a combined 51 shots across a pair of games. His dominant performance earned him the NCHC Goaltender of the Week honor. Further, the Broncos moved up to sixth in the national rankings, swapping spots with Denver, who dropped to seventh. With the top four teams in the highly competitive NCHC all ranked in the nation’s top seven, Slukynsky will need to maintain his stellar play if Western Michigan wishes to run it back as national champions.
Jack Sparkes, Clarkson Univ., RH Defenseman (180th overall in 2022)
2025-26 Stats: 0 goals, 1 assist, minus-1, 20 PIM in 19 games played
New year, new ice time for Sparkes. He logged his third-highest ice time of the season with 12:35 in Clarkson’s most recent game, a 6-2 win over Niagara. The sixth-round pick will look to build on the additional minutes and contribute as a shutdown defenseman for the Golden Knights as the season progresses. Clarkson sits in ninth place in the ECAC with a 9-11-0 record.
EUROPEAN LEAGUES
Petteri Rimpinen, Liiga-Kiekko-Espoo, Goalie (152nd overall in 2025)
2025-26 Stats: 2.79 GAA, .894 SV%, 1 SO, 8 wins in 23 games played
Rimpinen was once again a workhorse for Finland at the World Junior Championship, starting all seven games (the only goaltender this year to do so). Not only did he lead the tournament in games played, he also played the fourth most ice time of any goaltender in WJC history with 431:29. Who is the all-time leader, you may ask? Petteri Rimpinen in last year’s tournament with 436:45. The Finnish netminder now owns two of the top five spots in tournament history for most ice time by a goaltender at a single WJC. With this being the 50th anniversary of the WJC, that covers a lot of ground.
Rimpinen was stellar in a heartbreaking semifinal loss to Sweden, making 29 saves on 32 shots and several point-blank stops in overtime before falling in an extended shootout. Finland then dropped the bronze medal game to Canada, ending their tournament run in fourth place. He finished with a 3-2-2 record, .871 save percentage, and 3.07 goals-against average.
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