<p>It’s been a bit of a mixed bag for Slovakia ever since Denis Godla helped to shock the hockey world by taking home bronze at the 2015 World Junior Championship.</p>



<p>The Slovaks haven’t advanced out of the quarterfinal in the nine years since, but many think that could change this time around. The 2005 and 2006 age groups have proven successful at the U-18 World Championship the past two years, with a pair of fourth-place finishes. Slovakia has also outscored its opponents in each of the past two WJCs, something that was usually heavily shifted in the opposite direction throughout most of the team’s history.</p>



<p>Slovakia might not have the pure skill that teams like Canada and the United States possess. But after a few positive years at the junior level for this group, hopes are high –&nbsp;and you’d be a fool to write them off as a medal contender.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="150"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking Back to 2024</h2>



<p>Slovakia started off the tournament as strong as you could have asked for. They dominated the previously favored Czech team 6-2 on the opening day before shutting out Switzerland 3-0 the day after. An 8-4 win over Norway meant the Slovaks would play for the top spot in Group B against the United States, only for the Americans to dominate in a 10-2 victory. </p>



<p>Still, the Slovaks managed to finish second, giving them some extra excitement heading into the playoffs. Unfortunately, a 4-3 overtime loss in the opening quarterfinal game sent them home early despite originally taking a 1-0 lead in the first.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goaltenders</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="684" src="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-132439" srcset="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-768x513.jpg 768w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-150x100.jpg 150w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-600x401.jpg 600w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-696x465.jpg 696w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-1392x929.jpg 1392w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/samuel-urban-1920x1282.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Samuel Urban (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Adam Gajan days are over. Welcome to the <strong>Samuel Urban</strong> show. The Sioux City Musketeers goaltender got his first taste of the tournament last year –&nbsp;an ugly 10-2 loss to the United States on New Year’s Eve. That was a tough one to get thrown into, especially after being a big reason why the Slovaks nearly won bronze at the 2023 U-18 World Championship. Urban is undrafted, and he’s not particularly big at 6-foot-1. But he’s a battler who never gives up on a play and always gives the Musketeers a chance to win.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="199"></div>



<p>After serving as Slovakia’s No. 1 at the U-18s a year ago (also taking them to the bronze medal game), <strong>Alan Lendak</strong> has looked excellent in the USHL with the Fargo Force. He’s among the league’s top goaltenders in his first year playing in North America, which doesn’t hurt. Lendak will likely be Slovakia’s No. 1 in 2026, so this will be an opportunity for him to get some valuable experience.</p>



<p>Goaltending isn’t going to be a strength of the Slovakians this year, but it’s not going to be the killer, either. Urban has looked strong internationally, outside of that one ugly showing last year. Let’s see what he can do as a leader.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensemen</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="684" src="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-180941" srcset="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-768x513.jpg 768w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-150x100.jpg 150w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-600x401.jpg 600w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-696x465.jpg 696w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-1392x929.jpg 1392w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SE5_1106-1920x1282.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Maxim Strbak (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>At some point, it might be time for the IIHF to rename the tourney the <strong>Maxim Strbak</strong> Cup. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/buffalo-sabres/line-combinations">Buffalo Sabres</a>&nbsp;</strong>prospect is set to play in his fifth World Juniors (if you count the canceled 2022 tourney) and eighth major IIHf tourney dating back to 2022.</span> The Michigan State University defenseman is having a great season and will be counted on as both a leader and a play-driver on Slovakia’s back end. If Strbak plays as well as he’s capable of, the Slovaks will be in good shape.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="201"></div>



<p>Scouts will be keeping a close eye on <strong>Luka Radivojevic</strong>, the 2025 NHL Draft prospect who has looked good since joining the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. He was one of Slovakia’s better defenders a year ago and was a big reason why the Slovaks avoided falling into the relegation round of the U-18s a few months later. More on him to come.</p>



<p><strong>Milan Pisoja </strong>played a more limited role a year ago, with his ice time fluctuating quite often. This time, he should be a top-four defenseman after spending the season playing against men. He also received some positive marks for his play at the U-20 Five Nations tournament back in November, which doesn’t hurt. We could see him skate alongside <strong>Richard Baran</strong>, who is having a decent year as a 19-year-old in the USHL. He has spent the past three years playing in North America, so he knows how to handle the smaller ice.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="154"></div>



<p>Speaking of size, <strong>Samuel Kupec</strong> is listed at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds – and he’s not afraid to show his muscle. He isn’t the fastest skater, but he makes up for it with brute force. He was one of Slovakia’s better defenders at the U-18 level last year, and now he’s making his mark with the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. This will be his first time playing with the U-20 squad, and I think he’ll make a decent impression.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forwards</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="684" src="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-133660" srcset="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-768x513.jpg 768w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-150x100.jpg 150w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-600x401.jpg 600w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-696x465.jpg 696w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-1392x929.jpg 1392w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Juraj-Pekarcik-1920x1282.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Juraj Pekarcik (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Not only is<strong> Dalibor Dvorsky</strong> the backbone of this Slovak team, but he might be one of the best players in the tournament, period. He’s on pace for around 60 points, which would give him one of the most productive U-20 AHL seasons of the 21st Century. This will be his fifth and final World Juniors (if you include the canceled tournament, like Strbak), with the center sitting at 11 points in 14 career games. Dvorsky is 11 points behind Richard Panik for the all-time tournament-scoring lead among Slovak players, which could be a tough hill to overcome. At the very least, Dvorsky <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/wjc-20/stats/all-time?nation=svk">should put himself in the top three.</a></p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="188"></div>



<p>Juraj Pekarcik has plenty of experience playing alongside Dvorsky and that’s not expected to change. And, hey –&nbsp;maybe it’s the perfect look into the future of the <strong><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/st-louis-blues/line-combinations">St. Louis Blues</a></strong>, who took them both in 2023. If the coaching staff wants to try and spark even more chemistry, they’ll pair them with<strong> Adam Cedzo</strong>, who looked great on the wing during the U-18s earlier that year. He might not be NHL-bound, but he has typically been one of the best Slovakian forwards in any tournament he has skated in over the past three years.</p>



<p><strong>Daniel Alexander Jencko </strong>has looked excellent in the NCAA, putting up some solid numbers as a freshman at UMass. Look for him to play a top-six role – perhaps with <strong>Tomas Pobezal</strong>, a potential top-75 pick for the 2025 NHL Draft. <strong>Roman Kukumberg </strong>is a returning player up front – one who could slide up high in the lineup – and he’ll look to start strong after a quiet year on the scoresheet playing against men in the Slovak pro league.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="175"></div>



<p>The Slovaks don’t have a ton of NHL-drafted talent up front, but they will have 6-foot-7 forward <strong>Miroslav Satan Jr.</strong> – can you guess his father? <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/line-combinations">Washington Capitals&nbsp;</a></strong>prospect doesn’t produce much, but he’s a decent defensive forward who uses his size to win just about any 1-on-1 battle.</span></p>



<p>One other name to watch: <strong>Peter Cisar. </strong>He’s not afraid to put players through the boards and plays with pure power and ruthlessness. He’s having a breakthrough year with the USHL’s Fargo Force, and while he’s not expected to break the 50-point barrier, he’s more than capable of setting guys up and absolutely demolishing anyone else.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 NHL Draft</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157622" srcset="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-768x513.jpg 768w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-150x100.jpg 150w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-600x400.jpg 600w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-696x465.jpg 696w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-1392x929.jpg 1392w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SE5_5164-1920x1282.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Luka Radivojevic (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Radivojevic is one of the big draws this year, thanks to his pure skill and hockey IQ. He has already shown that he can handle playing against older competition in this tournament and will be given every opportunity to play key minutes. Radivojevic is a mobile defenseman who is always looking to make the right play, but he lacks ideal size at 5-foot-10.&nbsp;Still, at a tourney like this, he’ll be fine.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="6" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="175"></div>



<p><strong>Jan Chovan</strong> had a fantastic showing at both of the last two Hlinka Gretzky Cup and was a point-per-game center at the Five Nations U-20 tournament a few weeks back. Some scouts think the 6-foot-3 pivot has first-round pedigree –&nbsp;a good showing in Ottawa won’t hurt his case. Pobezal is another forward with the potential to go in the top 64 –&nbsp;and his results in the top Slovak league have been promising. He was Slovakia’s primary goal-scorer at the U-18s last year, and he’ll play a similar role at the WJC.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Projection</h2>



<p>After two straight trips to the bronze medal game at the U-18 level, there’s plenty of hype for this Slovak squad. Having two tournament veterans in Dvorsky and Strbak for another year helps – especially Dvorsky, who is one of the best pure offensive threats in this tournament. Their blueline might be the weak point, but it’s not bad. In fact, this feels like one of the more talented Slovak teams in quite a bit – one that many think should be in medal conversation. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="7" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="177"></div>



<p>Just looking at the schedule – other than the opening game against Sweden, the Slovaks look in good shape. And even then, they beat the Swedes in the shootout in a game back in August. While Sweden is definitely the top team in Group B, the Slovaks have a legitimate shot at challenging the Czechs for second in Group B. Sound good, Slovakian fans?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Round-Robin Schedule</h2>



<p><strong>Dec. 26 vs. Sweden: </strong>12:00 PM ET <br><strong>Dec. 27 vs. Switzerland:</strong> 12:00 PM ET <br><strong>Dec. 29 vs. Czechia:</strong> 5:00 PM ET <br><strong>Dec. 30 vs. Kazakhstan: </strong>1:00 PM ET</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="183" src="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-1024x183.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-175274" srcset="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-1024x183.jpg 1024w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-300x54.jpg 300w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-768x137.jpg 768w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-1536x274.jpg 1536w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-2048x365.jpg 2048w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-150x27.jpg 150w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-600x107.jpg 600w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-696x124.jpg 696w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-1392x248.jpg 1392w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-1068x190.jpg 1068w, https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/07/FT_LogoTagOnBlue_RGB1752-1920x342.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></a></figure>



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Dalibor Dvorsky (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)