WJC 2021: Five things we have learned after five days in Red Deer

2. Stuetzle leading by example

Tim Stuetzle is expected to be a franchise forward and a key part of what is hoped to be a bright future for the Ottawa Senators, and the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft is certainly showing why he’s thought of so highly.

The Captain of a depleted Germany team that has been hit hard by COVID-19, Stuetzle has really led by example and been a bright light for his country in what has been a tough tournament so far.

While they have lost two of three – and they play Switzerland later today – the Germans can still reach the Quarter-Finals but they will have to win their final Group A game.

Should they make it out of the group, though, a lot of it will be down to Stuetzle who has been excellent so far.

He recorded two goals and an assist in a crucial Overtime win over Slovakia on Monday, taking his total to five points (3 G, 2 A) in three games at the World Juniors.

But it is also the way Stuetzle is playing that is most impressive, with the 18-year-old playing with a real maturity, while he’s also added an impressive level of physicality to his game too, finishing his hits with real force.

He’s relied on in all situations by Germany and his puck-handling skills, along with his ability to protect the biscuit and make something happen out of nothing, are just elite.

Whatever happens to Germany in this tournament, consider the 2021 World Junior Championship Tim Stuetzle’s coming-out party and Ottawa Senators fans should be very excited about their shiny new toy heading into the 2020-21 season.