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Summary:

The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship kicks off today in Minnesota. Several intriguing matchups are on the schedule, including Sweden vs. Slovakia, Denmark vs. Finland, Germany vs. the United States, and Canada vs. Czechia. Key players to watch include potential top 2026 NHL Draft picks like Gavin McKenna (Canada), Oliver Suvanto (Finland), and Anton Frondell (Sweden), as well as returning stars from previous tournaments. The United States begins their quest for a three-peat title.

News Article:

World Junior Championship 2026 Opens with High-Stakes Matchups in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The quest for World Junior hockey supremacy begins today in Minneapolis and St. Paul as the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship gets underway. All games will be broadcast on NHL Network (U.S.) and TSN (Canada).

The day’s action is packed with compelling matchups. Group A play starts with a promising match between Sweden and Slovakia. Sweden, considered a favorite in their group, boasts potential stars like Anton Frondell (Chicago Blackhawks), a top prospect coming off his draft. Slovakia will rely on solid defensive play and goaltending from Alan Lendak and Michal Pradel, both promising young prospects.

Denmark faces a tough challenge as they return to the top level of the tournament against Finland in Group B. Finland, known for its grit, is led by two potential top prospects for the 2026 draft, Oliver Suvanto and Juho Piiparinen, and returns 11 players from last year’s silver-medal team, including outstanding goalie Petteri Rimpinen.

The United States launches their bid for a historic three-peat against Germany in the evening. They will lean on returning goal-scorers James Hagens (Boston Bruins) and Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals). Germany will look for contributions from David Lewandowski (Edmonton Oilers) and Maxim Schafer (Washington Capitals).

The day concludes with a highly anticipated Group B clash between Canada and Czechia. Canada features a stacked roster, including a wealth of first-round NHL draft picks and projected No. 1 overall pick in 2026, Gavin McKenna. Czechia, led by top 2026 draft prospect Adam Novotny, will be looking to repeat their quarterfinal upsets of the previous two years.

With a mix of returning talent and rising stars, the 2026 World Junior Championship promises to deliver thrilling hockey action from start to finish.

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