PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) The hockey world, while the NHL is sitting in a brief shutdown, is rejoicing in the start of the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.
This upcoming tournament will have a healthy dose of Pittsburgh representation, by way of three Penguins prospects and a Pittsburgh native.
The three Pens prospects are goalies Joel Blomqvist, Calle Clang, and forward Kirill Tankov.
Blomqvist and Clang were drafted second and third round respectively in 2020 while Tankov was drafted in the seventh round in 2021.
Blomqvist will represent his home country Finland for the second consecutive year.
Clang, a native of Sweden, will also play in his second World Juniors.
Tankov is only 19-years-old will play for Team Russie for his first appearance at the tournament.
Logan Cooley from West Mifflin, Pa. will represent the United States during the tournament.
Cooley is an alumnus of Sidney Crosby's 'Little Penguins Learn to Play Program' and the Penguins Elite.
With the United State National Development Program, Cooley has played in 20 games picking up 14 goals, 16 assists, and 30 points.
Cooley, 17, could become the top American-born player chosen at the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft.
The 2022 World Junior Championship is set to begin Dec. 26 and the gold medal to be handed out Jan. 5.
