Fans tuning into the 2025 IIHF World Juniors tournament may hear some names that sound familiar.
The annual U20 tournament features some of the best young hockey players on the planet. To no surprise, many of the players grew up in hockey households with relatives who, at one point, also played the game at an extremely high level.
Here are 11 players in this year’s tournaments with dads who played in the NHL at one point during their career.
Canada
Oliver Bonk
- Position: D
- Team: London Knights (OHL)
- Draft status: 22nd overall 2023 (Philadelphia Flyers)
The most prominent name in terms of their fathers on the Canadian team is Oliver Bonk. The 19-year-old defenceman’s dad, Radek, had a very successful NHL career that saw him suit up for 969 games split between the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, and Nashville Predators.
Ethan Gauthier
- Position: RW
- Team: Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
- Draft status: 37th overall 2023 (Tampa Bay Lightning)
The 19-year-old Ethan Gauthier is the son of former NHL defenceman Denis Gauthier. Despite being selected 20th overall in 1995, Denis was more of a physical presence at the NHL level, racking up 748 penalty minutes over 554 games in stints with the Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, and LA Kings.
Cole Beaudoin
- Position: C
- Team: Barrie Colts (OHL)
- Draft status: 24th overall 2024 (Utah Hockey Club)
The third and final member of the Canadian roster whose dad played in the NHL is Cole Beaudoin. His father, Eric, appeared in 53 career games throughout three seasons with the Florida Panthers.
USA
Gabe Perreault
- Position: RW
- Team: Boston College (NCAA)
- Draft status: 23rd overall 2023 (New York Rangers)
One of the more recognizable names on this list is Gabriel Perreault, whose dad, Yanic, suited up for 859 games in the NHL. He racked up 247 goals and 516 points in stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, LA Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Max Plante
- Position: C/LW
- Team: University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
- Draft status: 47th overall 2024 (Detroit Red Wings)
Max Plante’s dad, Derek, enjoyed a rather brief but successful NHL career that saw him hit 56 points in two separate seasons. He played a total of 450 games split between the Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, and Philadelphia Flyers. He was a part of the Stars’ Stanley Cup championship in 1999.
Sweden
Jack Berglund
- Position: C/LW
- Team: Farjestad BK J20
- Draft status: 51st overall 2024 (Philadelphia Flyers)
Jack Berglund is the only member of Sweden’s roster with an NHLer dad. Christian Berglund suited up for 86 career games spanning from 2001 to 2004 with the New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers. He managed 11 goals and 27 points during that span.
Czechia
Adam Zidlicky
- Position: RW/LW
- Team: Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
- Draft status: Undrafted
Another name many hockey fans will recognize is Adam Zidlicky. He is the son of former NHL defenceman Marek Zidlicky, who had a very impressive 12-year career that saw him rack up 417 points in 836 games split between the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Islanders.
Slovakia
Miroslav Satan
- Position: C
- Team: Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
- Draft status: 212 overall 2024 (Washington Capitals)
Miroslav Satan is another very recognizable name on this list as he shares the exact same name as his father. His dad had a superb NHL career that saw him record north of 60 points in six seasons. He finished his career with 363 goals and 735 points in 1,050 games, during which time he played for the Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins.
Luka Radivojevic
- Position: D
- Team: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
- Draft status: Eligible in 2025
Luka Radivojevic isn’t draft-eligible just yet but will look to get bragging rights over his father, Branko, this June. Branko was selected 93rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 1999 and went on to enjoy a 393-game career during which time he scored 52 goals and 120 points in stops with the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, and Minnesota Wild.
Maxim Strbak
- Position: D
- Team: Michigan State University (NCAA)
- Draft status: 45th overall 2023 (Buffalo Sabres)
The 19-year-old defenceman Maxim Strbak is the third and final member of the Slovakian roster whose dad suited up in the NHL. Martin Strbak’s NHL career was brief but saw him suit up for 49 games split between the LA Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Switzerland
Ewan Huet
- Position: G
- Team: Regina Pats (WHL)
- Draft status: Undrafted
The final team with a member whose dad played in the NHL is Switzerland. Their goaltender, Ewan Huet, is the son of Cristobal Huet, who was also a goalie. Cristobal enjoyed a 273-game NHL career that saw him play for the LA Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, and Chicago Blackhawks. He won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010.
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