World Juniors in Edmonton to begin on Christmas Day (SCHEDULE)

For the first time since 2005, the World Junior Hockey Championship will begin on Christmas Day.

The annual tournament is taking place in Edmonton this year, without fans in attendance, as organizers are utilizing the same plan that was so successful for the NHL’s return to the ice this summer. All 10 countries competing in the tournament will operate in a “competition bubble” in the Edmonton Ice District, with games being played at Rogers Place, the home of the Edmonton Oilers.

Team Canada won’t begin play until Boxing Day, as they compete in Group A against Finland, Germany, Slovakia, and Switzerland. USA, Russia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Austria will compete in Group B.

“A tremendous amount of planning has been underway for almost two years and announcing the schedule signifies how close we are to puck drop,” said, Riley Wiwchar, executive director of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. “After announcing the return of the tournament last month, there is a feeling, even knowing there won’t be fans in the building, of excitement and anticipation across the province and extending across the country as fans get set to cheer on the future stars of the game.”

• See also:
  • World Juniors to take place in NHL-style bubble in Edmonton this year

There will be extra focus on the World Juniors this year, as the NHL isn’t expected to begin play until January. That should also allow most, if not all, top players to be made available for the tournament. In a normal year, first overall draft pick Alexis Lafreniere would be unavailable for the tournament, but perhaps the New York Rangers allow him to represent Team Canada this year.

The tournament runs from December 25 to January 5, with 10 pre-tournament games taking place December 20-23. Canada’s pre-tournament games are against Sweden and Russia.

Pre-tournament games

Tournament schedule