Blades German trio shines at 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
Team Germany’s spot at the 2027 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship has been secure. A big reason for avoiding relegation was the play of Saskatoon Blades forwards David Lewandowski, Dustin Willhöft, and Elias Pul.
The 2026 World Juniors was a coming out party for the 18-year-old winger Willhöft. The 5-foot-8 playmaker led the German team in scoring with two goals and five assists for seven points in five games. Willhöft’s biggest performance came in the relegation game against Team Denmark on Friday, scoring one goal and three assists in an 8-4 win. The victory secured Germany’s spot in the top international U20 division for a sixth straight year.
“Germany’s a good country, and we deserve to be here,” said Willhöft.
Lewandowski, the Edmonton Oilers fourth-round pick in 2025, finished his second appearance at the World Juniors with a goal and three assists in five games. The sophomore Western Hockey League (WHL) winger also played a big factor in the 8-4 win over Denmark scoring a goal and two assists.
Pul finished the tournament with a goal in five games. The 19-year-old winger was acquired by the Blades prior to the Christmas break in a trade with the Spokane Chiefs. Pul reported straight to Germany’s preliminary camp for the tournament and is expected to make his Blades debut Friday, Jan. 9 against the Edmonton Oil Kings at SaskTel Centre.
