The World Junior Championships are just past the New Year. Both Finland and Sweden have named their camp rosters and the New York Rangers have a few prospects heading there. One of those is the 89th overall pick from last year, Aleksi Saarela from Finland.

In related news, Robin Kovacs (picked 62nd overall last year) was not given an invite for Sweden despite notching 17 points in 22 games in Allsvenskan, the SHL’s minor league. Kovacs has also posted an assist in four SHL games and six points in as many international games this season. His exclusion has been surprising to say the least.

Aleksi Saarela is part of Finland camp for two pre-WJC games. Final roster will be chosen after that. Robin Kovács NOT named by Sweden. #NYR — Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) December 7, 2015

After a slow start in Liiga, Saarela has been a house of fire in his last 10 games, notching eight goals and 10 points in that span. He already has 15 points in 26 games this season, a huge jump from the 12 points he had in 51 Liiga games last season. That’s some pretty good second-year growth if I do say so myself.

Despite not getting to see Kovacs on the big international stage, it will be good to see Saarela get an extended look against some of the best the world has to offer from the junior level.