Sandin, Liljegren, and others named to World Junior camps

One of the hockey’s marquee tournaments is fast approaching – in just under a month we will all be obsessing over some under-20 prospects at the World Juniors. The Leafs will have some very interesting participants.

Amid the return of Nylander press conference, Dubas let us know that both Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin will be loaned from the Marlies to Team Sweden for the upcoming tournament.

Liljegren represented his country last year and was able to get two points in the seven games he appeared in. With heavier names coming into fruition, Liljegren was a depth defenceman on that Team Sweden. This year, he might get a bigger spotlight with players like Rasmus Dahlin most likely not returning.

This will be Sandin’s first World Juniors, but he has represented Sweden at both U17 and U18 tournaments. Two years ago he captained Team Sweden in the U17 tournament.

Both defencemen are having solid years in the AHL and look to be the arguably the two top prospects for the Leafs right now.

Other Leafs prospects that will be joining them are Filip Kral and Ian Scott.

Kral was named to the World Junior camp for the Czech Republic. The fifth-round pick last June is currently playing for the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, just his second year playing in North America. With the Chiefs this season, Kral has scored three goals and four assists in thirteen games.

Goaltender Ian Scott is probably having the most noticeable season among Leafs prospects and has worked his way to being named on Team Canada’s camp roster for the World Juniors. Drafted in the fourth round two years ago, Scott is making a name for himself with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. Leading the league in save percentage with a .943 sv% and having the second-best GAA with 1.61.

Scott will most likely have to battle for the starting role with Canucks prospect Michael DiPietro, but with the season Scott is having, it will be tough to pass up on him.

This might be a special World Juniors to watch for Leafs fans, maybe the most exciting since Matthews, Marner, and Nylander played on their respective teams.