World Juniors 2026: 5 Flyers Prospects Make Semi-finals

The 2026 World Junior Championship is moving right along, and as things enter the final weekend, it’s been a success for many of the Flyers’ prospects participating. Five of the six Flyers’ prospects playing in the tournament are still in the running for medals, as the tournament reaches the semi-finals.

Porter Martone and Jett Luchanko of Team Canada, Jack Berglund of Team Sweden, and Heikki Ruohonen and Max Westergard of Team Finland are all moving on with the chance to advance to the gold medal game on Monday.

Canada and Sweden have rolled through tournament play so far. Both were undefeated in the preliminary games; Sweden won all four games in regulation, while Canada had one overtime win. Finland had two wins, an overtime loss, and a regulation loss in four games. 

Finland defeated USA in the quarterfinals, 4-3, in overtime, ending USA’s bid for three straight gold medals. Sweden remained perfect with a 6-3 win over Latvia. Canada rolled into the semi-finals with a 7-1 win over Slovakia.

The lone Flyers’ prospect not advancing to the semi-finals is Shane Vansaghi for Team USA. Vansaghi played in three of the five games for USA, mostly in a fourth-line, 13th-forward role. He had two shots on goal in the tournament, no points, and was a minus-4.

Martone, captain of Team Canada, has been the most notable Flyers’ prospect in the tournament and has delivered. Martone has four goals and seven points in five games. 

It’s been more of a struggle for Martone’s teammate, Luchanko. Luchanko has appeared in all five games for Canada, but mostly in a fourth-line role. He has no points, six shots on goal, and is a minus-2.

Berglund, captain of Team Sweden, has also performed very well. Berglund has three goals and seven points in five games.

Ruohonen, an alternate captain for Finland, has two goals and six points in five games. Westergard, a fifth-round pick of the Flyers in 2025, has turned heads in the tournament with a goal and four points in five games.

Sweden and Finland will face each other in the first semi-final game on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Canada faces Czechia in the other semi-final game later that night at 8:30 p.m.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.