From Michael Hrabal’s bronze-medal game performance to Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson starring on Team USA, a number of USHL alumni impressed at this year’s WJC.

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Jordan McAlpine takes a look at some of the top performers in Ottawa.

Michael Hrabal, G, Czechia (Omaha)

Hrabal (UTA) was one of the WJC’s best between the pipes, especially during the bronze medal game. The 6-foot-6, 209-pound goaltender made 32 saves over 65 minutes and 12 of a possible 14 saves in the shootout, back-stopping his country to a 3-2 win and medal. Hrabal was named the Player of the Game and finished the WJC with a 4-2-0 record, 2.45 goals against average and .919 save percentage. He also became the first goalie in World Junior history to bounce Canada in the quarterfinals in consecutive years.

Cole Hutson, F, USA (NTDP)

Hutson (WSH) led the tournament with 11 points and was a WJC-best plus-11. He became the first defenseman to ever lead the WJC in points outright and Hutson also set the single-tournament record for points by an American defenseman, earning a spot on the Media All-Star Team. He played a hand in several of Team USA’s key goals too, including the tying goal in the gold medal game.

Ryan Leonard, F, USA (NTDP)

Leonard (WSH) captained the U.S. to a second straight gold medal and was named the tournament MVP in the process. He scored five times and added five assists, giving himself 10 points over seven games – which was tied for second among WJC skaters. Two of Leonard’s five goals were game-winners and he also struck twice on the power play.

Dynasty 🇺🇸#WorldJuniors #TeamUSA #IIHF pic.twitter.com/rH5iBHv1YH

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 6, 2025

Juraj Pekarcik, F, Slovakia (Dubuque)

Pekarcik (STL) ranked second on the Slovakian roster with seven points as he scored three goals and added four assists over his seven games. Pekarcik also netted a pair of power-play goals and wore a letter as one of Slovakia’s alternate captains.

Maxim Strbak, D, Slovakia (Sioux Falls)

Strbak (BUF) was one of the WJC’s top producers from the blue line as he was tied with Zeev Buium (MIN) for third among WJC defensemen with six points. Strbak scored the overtime winner against Kazakhstan and picked up five helpers over his five games. This was Strbak's third and final trip to the World Juniors for Slovakia.

Brandon Svoboda, F, USA (Fargo, Youngstown)

Svoboda (SJS) did a tremendous job centering Team USA’s fourth line and also had a good showing offensively, scoring three times and adding three assists. He scored Team USA’s second goal against Finland in the gold medal game, which helped spark the comeback. Svoboda also finished the tournament a plus-4, which ranked sixth on the American roster. He's been on quite the run of championships after winning Clark Cups with both Fargo and Youngstown over the previous two seasons.

CLARK CUP CHAMPS ➡️ WORLD JUNIORS CHAMPS

Congratulations to Force Alumni Brandon Svoboda & Hampton Slukynsky on taking home gold at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship!🏆#ForceNation⚡️ | #USHL pic.twitter.com/E45waczSZ0

— Fargo Force (@FargoForce) January 6, 2025

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