Overview
- The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship runs Dec. 26–Jan. 5 in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, with games at Grand Casino Arena and 3M Arena and coverage on NHL Network and TSN.
- Hockey Canada confirmed Porter Martone as captain with Cole Beaudoin and Harrison Brunicke as alternates, and Canada opens against Czechia on Dec. 26 before facing Latvia, Denmark and Finland.
- The United States enters as the two‑time defending champion seeking a third straight title on home ice, with returnees such as defenseman Cole Hutson and center James Hagens driving expectations.
- Scouts will zero in on 2026 draft headliners including Canada’s Gavin McKenna, Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg and USA blueliner Chase Reid, alongside NHL‑loaned talents like Michael Misa and Sweden’s Anton Frondell.
- NHL clubs are well represented, with the Penguins’ Will Horcoff (USA) and Harrison Brunicke (Canada) set for key roles and the Blackhawks’ trio of Anton Frondell (Sweden), A.J. Spellacy (USA) and Václav Nestrašil (Czechia) on tournament rosters.