The International Ice Hockey Federation set the groups for the 2026 World Junior Tournament, which will be held from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in the Twin Cities.
Groups set for world junior hockey tournament in Minnesota; tickets on sale
The defending champion United States and Canada are in different groups for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Tournament, which starts the day after Christmas.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
March 7, 2025 at 4:53PM
Team USA won the gold medal at this year’s tournament with a roster that included eight Minnesotans.
The United States will be in Group A with Germany, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.
Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland and Latvia are in Group B.
Four teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals.
The IIHF has continued to ban Russia and Belarus from international tournaments, citing security concerns. No decision has been made yet on Russia’s participation in the 2026 Olympic Games.
The junior tournament will be held at Xcel Energy Center and Mariucci Arena.
A scheduling conflict with the boys basketball state tournament means the Gophers will have to visit the Rockets on Thursday.
