Boston Bruins top prospect David Pastrnak will make his 2015 World Junior Championship debut Friday when his Czech Republic team takes on Sweden at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
Pastrnak has left the Providence Bruins to join his Czech teammates after tallying 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 23 games at the AHL level this season. He also tallied and assist and 14 shots in five games for Boston. Pastrnak scored one goal with two assists at last year’s WJC tournament.
The 18-year-old right winger was the Bruins’ first-round pick (25th overall) in the 2014 NHL draft.
The United States also begins its quest for the gold medal Friday. The American squad is led by two of the top 2015 NHL draft prospects: Boston University forward Jack Eichel and Boston College defenseman Noah Hanifin.
Team USA plays defending champion Finland at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The United States last won gold in 2013.
Here’s the full schedule for the preliminary round, via the IIHF:
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports
