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 sameĀ 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.
āA tremendous amount of planning has been underway for almost two years and announcing the schedule signifies how close we are to puck drop,ā said, Riley Wiwchar, executive director of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. āAfter announcing the return of the tournament last month, there is a feeling, even knowing there wonāt 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.ā
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
Date | Time (ET) | Game |
Sun, Dec 20 | 6:00 PM | SUI vs USA |
Sun, Dec 20 | 9:30 PM | CZE vs FIN |
Mon, Dec 21 | 2:00 PM | GER vs AUT |
Mon, Dec 21 | 6:00 PM | SWE vs CAN |
Mon, Dec 21 | 9:30 PM | SVK vs RUS |
Tue, Dec 22 | 6:00 PM | FIN vs USA |
Tue, Dec 22 | 9:30 PM | SUI vs SWE |
Wed, Dec 23 | 2:00 PM | SVK vs AUT |
Wed, Dec 23 | 6:00 PM | CAN vs RUS |
Wed, Dec 23 | 9:30 PM | CZE vs GER |
Tournament schedule
Date | Time (ET) | Game |
Fri, Dec 25 | 2:00 PM | SUI vs SVK |
Fri, Dec 25 | 6:00 PM | GER vs FIN |
Fri, Dec 25 | 9:30 PM | RUS vs USA |
Sat, Dec 26 | 2:00 PM | SWE vs CZE |
Sat, Dec 26 | 6:00 PM | GER vs CAN |
Sat, Dec 26 | 9:30 PM | USA vs AUT |
Sun, Dec 27 | 2:00 PM | FIN vs SUI |
Sun, Dec 27 | 6:00 PM | SVK vs CAN |
Sun, Dec 27 | 9:30 PM | CZE vs RUS |
Mon, Dec 28 | 6:00 PM | AUT vs SWE |
Mon, Dec 28 | 9:30 PM | SVK vs GER |
Tue, Dec 29 | 2:00 PM | USA vs CZE |
Tue, Dec 29 | 6:00 PM | CAN vs SUI |
Tue, Dec 29 | 9:30 PM | AUT vs RUS |
Wed, Dec 30 | 2:00 PM | FIN vs SVK |
Wed, Dec 30 | 6:00 PM | SUI vs GER |
Wed, Dec 30 | 9:30 PM | RUS vs SWE |
Thu, Dec 31 | 2:00 PM | CZE vs AUT |
Thu, Dec 31 | 6:00 PM | CAN vs FIN |
Thu, Dec 31 | 9:30 PM | SWE vs USA |
Sat, Jan 2 | 12:00 PM | Quarter-finals |
Sat, Jan 2 | 3:30 PM | Quarter-finals |
Sat, Jan 2 | 7:00 PM | Quarter-finals |
Sat, Jan 2 | 10:30 PM | Quarter-finals |
Sun, Jan 3 | 6:00 PM | Semi-finals |
Sun, Jan 3 | 9:30 PM | Semi-finals |
Tue, Jan 5 | 5:30 PM | Bronze |
Tue, Jan 5 | 9:30 PM | Gold |