Three Chicago Blackhawks prospects waste no time at getting on the scoresheet at the World Junior Championship

It was the final game of opening day, and chaos ruled when Václav Nestrašil lined up for Czechia against tournament favorite Canada. The game tilted fast, then tilted again, ending in a 7-5 loss that still showcased Nestrašil's value.

Nestrašil quietly posted two assists, finished plus-two, and logged 16:09 of ice time. He handled pressure well, moved pucks cleanly, and stayed composed as Canada pushed the pace all night.

Over in the earlier game, the United States did not cruise past Germany, but the bottom of the lineup delivered a real push. The fourth line of Will Zellers, Brendan McMorrow, and Chicago Blackhawks prospect AJ Spellacy flipped momentum midway through the second period.

Spellacy, playing center, recorded two assists in that frame alone and added several heavy hits that shifted the feel of the game. Through 40 minutes, he sat plus-three while skating just 7:52, pure efficiency.

As a fan watching live, it felt like one of those rare moments when depth actually mattered, and Spellacy looked like he belonged right away.

Spellacy finished the night with 12:50 of ice time, winning eight of twelve faceoffs in a 6-3 USA win. The 19-year-old first-round pick from 2024 looked confident handling defensive responsibilities.

Earlier Friday, Sweden leaned heavily on Anton Frondell, and he answered with force.

Frondell scored the first goal of the entire tournament, ripping repeated shots that overwhelmed Slovakia's goaltender.

Frondell was named Sweden's best player of the game in a tight 3-2 victory. His release stood out immediately, and the willingness to shoot from dangerous areas never wavered.

It is one day, but Chicago Blackhawks fans looking for signs of life from the pipeline got them. Three prospects, three teams, and three strong statements to open the World Juniors.