Yahoo Sports Predators Prospects Eliminated from World Juniors; One Secures Top Honors
Top Nashville Predators prospects Tanner Molendyk (R1 - '23) and Andrew Gibson (Trade - DET) were eliminated from the 2025 World Junior Championships on Thursday night as Team Canada suffered a 4-3 loss to Czechia in the quarterfinal.
Jakub Milota (R4 - '24), Czechia's No. 3 goalie, enjoyed the win over his fellow Predators prospects, on the other hand.
Molendyk, 19, helped the Canadians crawl back into the game; working as the power play quarterback, his long-range shot was deflected by 2025 draft-eligible Porter Martone to bring the tournament's hosts within one at 3-2.
Carolina Hurricanes forward prospect Bradly Nadeau tied the game at 3-3 after ferrying home a rebound inside the final five minutes. Edmonton Oilers forward prospect Adam Jecho ultimately scored the dagger for Czechia, drilling a one-timer from the left circle with 40 ticks left on the clock.
With his power play assist, Molendyk finished his 2025 World Juniors campaign with two assists in five games and will turn pro later this year.
For his efforts, Molendyk was named one of Canada's top three players of the tournament, as selected by the coaches.
Top 3 Players for Canada in the World Juniors as selected by the coaches: Carter George (LAK), Tanner Molendyk (NSH), and Brayden Yager (WPG).
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) January 3, 2025
Naturally not a big scorer, Gibson, 19, finished the tournament without recording a point for Canada. However, he and Molendyk represented the Predators well in Ottawa, consistently featuring as Canada's top defensive unit for the entirety of the competition.
PORTER MARTONE EVERYBODY!!!!!😍👏🇨🇦#NHLDraft eligible Porter Martone tips in a shot by Tanner Molendyk in the #WorldJuniors quarterfinal!🚨@CHLHockey | @OHLSteelheads pic.twitter.com/tRHyulLYpX
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 3, 2025
Even after the elimination of Molendyk, Gibson, and Canada, the Predators and Predators fans still have nearly half a dozen prospects to follow for the rest of the 2025 World Juniors. Team USA's Joey Willis (R4 - '23) and Teddy Stiga (R2 - '24) have combined for four assists thus far, while Sweden's Viggo Gustafsson (R3 - '24), Felix Nilsson (R2 - '23), and David Edstrom (Trade - SJS) have stuffed the stat sheet filling various roles.
Gustafsson, Nilsson, Edstrom, and Sweden will face Finland at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Milota, Willis, and Stiga will meet up later on, as Team USA and Czechia square off at 6:30 p.m.
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