Key Takeaways
- The 2026 World Juniors Championship is currently underway in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN.
- Team Canada is set to face off against Denmark on Monday, Dec. 29, at 8:30 p.m. ET.
- Top 2026 NHL draft prospect Keaton Verhoeff is expected to make his World Juniors debut during the game tonight.
- The current standings have Sweden and Finland leading their respective groups, with Canada and the USA close behind.
- The tournament will continue until January 5, with the Gold Medal Game taking place on January 5.
Introduction to the 2026 World Juniors Championship
The 2026 World Juniors Championship is an exciting event that brings together the best young hockey players from around the world. The tournament is currently underway in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, and features teams from countries such as Canada, the USA, Sweden, and Finland. Team Canada is one of the top contenders in the tournament, and they are set to face off against Denmark on Monday, Dec. 29, at 8:30 p.m. ET. This game is crucial for Canada, as a win could mean an easier path through the Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
Canada’s Journey So Far
Canada opened the tournament with a 7-5 win over Czechia, a country that had ended their last four tournaments. They followed this up with an overtime win over Latvia, a team they had lost to in the round-robin stage in 2025. Top 2026 NHL draft prospect Keaton Verhoeff is expected to make his World Juniors debut during the game tonight, and fans are eager to see him in action. Canada’s roster is filled with talented players, including Gavin McKenna, Carson Carels, and Keaton Verhoeff, who are all expected to make a big impact in the tournament.
Denmark’s Struggles
Denmark, on the other hand, has had a tough start to the tournament. They lost their first two games against Finland and Czechia, with scores of 2-6 and 2-7, respectively. Despite their struggles, Denmark is still a team to be reckoned with, and they will be looking to pull off an upset against Canada. Their roster includes players such as Andrew Bjergstad, Elias Borup Olsen, and William Bundgaard, who will be looking to make a difference in the game.
Current Standings and Schedule
The current standings have Sweden and Finland leading their respective groups, with Canada and the USA close behind. The tournament will continue until January 5, with the Gold Medal Game taking place on January 5. The schedule for the rest of the tournament is as follows: Tuesday, December 30, will feature games between Switzerland and Germany, and Latvia and Denmark. Wednesday, December 31, will feature games between Switzerland and Slovakia, and Czechia and Latvia. The Quarterfinals will take place on January 2, followed by the Semifinals on January 4, and the Gold Medal Game on January 5.
How to Watch the Tournament
For fans looking to watch the tournament, all games will be broadcast live on the NHL Network for viewers in the US. In Canada, fans can watch each game on TSN. Additionally, FloHockey will be providing free live updates for each USA and Canada game, including analysis, scoring summaries, and highlights. Fans can also follow along on social media using the hashtag #WorldJuniors.
Past Champions and Team Rosters
The IIHF World Junior Championship has a rich history, with past champions including the United States, Canada, and Finland. The teams competing in the 2026 World Junior Championship are divided into two groups: Group A features the USA, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Slovakia, while Group B features Canada, Czechia, Latvia, Denmark, and Finland. Each team has a talented roster, with players such as Gavin McKenna, Carson Carels, and Keaton Verhoeff on Team Canada, and Andrew Bjergstad, Elias Borup Olsen, and William Bundgaard on Team Denmark.
Conclusion
The 2026 World Juniors Championship is an exciting event that promises to deliver plenty of action and suspense. With teams like Canada, the USA, and Sweden competing, fans can expect to see some of the best young hockey players in the world in action. The tournament will continue until January 5, with the Gold Medal Game taking place on January 5. Fans can follow along on TV, social media, and online, and can expect to see plenty of highlights and analysis from FloHockey and other sources.