Key Takeaways
- The World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series is coming to KTTC’s North Star Sports & Entertainment Network
- The series will feature exhibition games among top international teams in hockey, including Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Czechia, Latvia, USA, Denmark, Slovakia, Sweden, and Canada
- Games will be broadcast live and on tape delay from December 16th to December 24th
- The series is a precursor to the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be held in St. Paul, Minnesota
- Viewers can watch the games for free over-the-air and on select cable channels
Introduction to the World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series
The World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series is set to kick off on December 16th, bringing some of the world’s top up-and-coming hockey players to the North Star Sports & Entertainment Network. The series will feature a range of international teams, including Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Czechia, Latvia, USA, Denmark, Slovakia, Sweden, and Canada, as they compete in exhibition games ahead of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The championship will be held in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the pre-tournament series will provide a exciting preview of the talent and competition that will be on display.
Broadcasting the Games
The games will be broadcast on KTTC’s North Star Sports & Entertainment Network, which is available on a range of channels. Viewers can watch the games for free over-the-air and on select cable channels, making it accessible to a wide audience. The network’s Vice-President and General Manager, Stephanie Hedrick, expressed her excitement about bringing the series to the region, stating that "KTTC knows the southeast Minnesota and northern Iowa region has a passion for hockey, and we are honored to provide this opportunity for viewers to watch some of the world’s top up-and-coming hockey players."
Game Schedule
The game schedule for the World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series has been announced, with games taking place from December 16th to December 24th. The schedule includes a range of matchups, including Switzerland vs Minnesota State, Finland vs Germany, Czechia vs Latvia, and USA vs Germany. Some games will be broadcast live, while others will be shown on tape delay. The full schedule is as follows:
- TUE 12/16 at 7pm: Switzerland vs Minnesota State (LIVE)
- FRI 12/19 at 7pm: Finland vs Germany (LIVE)
- SAT 12/20 at 7pm: Czechia vs Latvia (RECORDED)
- SUN 12/21 at 4pm: USA vs Germany (LIVE)
- SUN 12/21 at 7pm: Denmark vs Switzerland (LIVE)
- MON 12/22 at 4pm: Latvia vs Slovakia (RECORDED)
- MON 12/22 at 7pm: Slovakia vs Czechia (LIVE)
- TUE 12/23 at 6pm: Finland vs USA (LIVE)
- WED 12/24 at 4pm: Switzerland vs Sweden (RECORDED)
- WED 12/24 at 7pm: Denmark vs Canada (RECORDED)
Availability of the North Star Sports and Entertainment Network
The North Star Sports and Entertainment Network is available on a range of channels, making it easy for viewers to tune in and watch the World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series. The network’s channel lineup includes KTTC, and viewers can find more information about the series and the network by visiting the KTTC website. The network is committed to providing high-quality sports and entertainment programming to the region, and the World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series is just one example of the exciting content that they have to offer.
Conclusion
The World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series is a exciting opportunity for hockey fans to see some of the world’s top up-and-coming players in action. With a range of international teams competing in exhibition games, the series is sure to provide plenty of thrilling moments and exciting matchups. The series will be broadcast on the North Star Sports and Entertainment Network, which is available on a range of channels, making it easy for viewers to tune in and watch the games. Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan or just looking for some exciting sports action, the World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series is definitely worth checking out.