The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship opens today in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, showcasing elite under-20 players from 10 nations. Top NHL draft-eligible prospects like Gavin McKenna of Canada and Ivar Stenberg of Sweden will compete over the next 11 days. The event features preliminary rounds at Grand Casino Arena and 3M Arena at Mariucci, with medal games concluding on January 5.
The tournament kicks off on December 26 with four preliminary-round games: Sweden vs. Slovakia at 1 p.m. ET, Denmark vs. Finland at 3:30 p.m. ET, Germany vs. United States at 6 p.m. ET, and Czechia vs. Canada at 8:30 p.m. ET. Group A, including the United States, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany, will play at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. Group B, featuring Canada, Finland, Czechia, Latvia, and Denmark, will compete at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.
Canada enters with high expectations after finishing fifth last year, led by consensus pre-season top prospect Gavin McKenna, a 6-0, 170-pound left-shot winger at Penn State. McKenna has four goals and 14 assists in 16 NCAA games and is expected to play on one of Canada's top-two forward lines. Other key Canadian prospects include defensemen Keaton Verhoeff of North Dakota (four goals, seven assists in 16 games) and Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars (eight goals, 21 assists in 28 WHL games).
The United States, defending champions after a 4-3 overtime win over Finland in 2025, aims for a third straight gold. Roster highlights include forward James Hagens and defenseman Cole Hutson, both from Boston-area programs. Sweden features Ivar Stenberg of Frolunda in the SHL (six goals, 18 assists in 25 games) and Viggo Bjorck, noted for his speed and skill.
Finland's Juho Piiparinen of Tappara in Liiga provides steady two-way defense, while Czechia's Adam Novotny of the Peterborough Petes has 19 goals and 16 assists in 29 OHL games. Latvia's Alberts Smits of Jukurit in Liiga (six goals, six assists in 28 games) bolsters their underdog effort.
The tournament highlights NHL prospects, with 22 draft picks on the U.S. roster alone, including 13 first- and second-round selections. Games air on NHL Network and TSN, offering fans a preview of future stars.
