Yaroslav Askarov had no shortage of critics this past summer when word came out that he desired a trade out of the Nashville Predators organization.

The 2023 World Junior Championship is a few days in the rearview. After the spectacular tournament that brought plenty of drama and intrigue, we're looking back at the prospects who played in the tournament.

Canada defeated Czechia to win the gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship on Thursday. Here's a look at photos from the gold-medal match.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- After scoring a Canadian-record 23 points in a single tournament, Connor Bedard was named MVP of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. The 17-year-old North Vancouver native led all players in scoring in the tournament by nine points. He is also the youngest player to receive the MVP award, which was established in 2004.

Click here for photos from Canada's gold-medal win

Team USA defeated Team Sweden to win the bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship on Thursday. Here's a look at photos from the bronze-medal match.

Click here for photos from Team USA's bronze-medal win

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- Canada will be going for their 20th gold medal, while Czechia will play for their third gold and first since 2001 during Thursday's championship game at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship Thursday night.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- Team USA could not have asked for a better start to their semifinal game against Canada, but they'll wish they could forget how it ended. The U.S. lost 6-2 in a semifinal that was full of momentum swings, controversy and one of the more incredible atmospheres you'll see at this level.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- The U.S. National Junior Team got the start they wanted against Canada, but not the finish as the Canadians rode a three-goal second period to an eventual 6-2 win in front of a record crowd of 10,636 in Scotiabank Centre. Canada advanced to play Czechia in the gold-medal game, earning the chance to win their second consecutive gold medal.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- For the first time since 2001, Czechia will play for the gold medal at the World Junior Championship after stunning Sweden with a late regulation goal and late overtime winner in the semifinals to advance to the championship game.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- An already memorable tournament may not have felt complete if we didn't get a chance to see the U.S. square off against Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship Wednesday. With all of the great games, great moments and incredible performances we've been treated to, getting a look at one of the best rivalries in sports in such a high-stakes game only adds to the drama and intrigue.

MONCTON, New Brunswick -- The United States took care of business against Germany Monday, while Canada earned a dramatic overtime win over Slovakia to set up the matchup many had hoped we'd see in this tournament. It will be USA vs. Canada in the second of two semifinals at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

It really was the only way it could have ended. Connor Bedard wrote perhaps the most brilliant chapter of his fairytale tournament, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to send Canada to the semifinal of the 2023 World Junior Championship in stunning fashion.

MONCTON, New Brunswick – Team USA started hot and pretty much never looked back as they rolled past Germany for an 11-1 win in the quarterfinal matchup they earned by winning Group B in the preliminary round. Next, they'll meet Canada in the semifinal in Halifax Wednesday.