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27 December 2024

2025 World Junior Championships Kick Off With Rising Stars

Top U-20 prospects compete for glory in Ottawa as excitement builds for the tournament.

The 2025 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships is set to begin, bringing together some of the top under-20 hockey talent from around the globe. Held this year in Ottawa, Canada, the tournament features ten teams vying for the prestigious title from December 26th through January 5th. Fans, scouts, and hockey enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating the action and the opportunity to see the rising stars of their favorite franchises.

This year, the Pittsburgh Penguins are represented by three of their drafted prospects at the championship: Tanner Howe, Kalle Kangas, and Emil Pieniniemi. Each is bringing their unique skills and experiences to their respective national teams, showcasing the depth of talent available across the league.

Tanner Howe stands out as one of Canada’s exciting new players, having been drafted by the Penguins as their second-round pick this past year. Despite some minimal backlash for his selection over other high-profile players, observers from Daily Faceoff have noted Howe's tenacity and performance:

"#23 Tanner Howe, LW (Pittsburgh Penguins): After an impressive selection camp earned him a spot as a bottom-six player, I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Howe. He battles so hard at both ends of the ice and even drew a second-period penalty to help give Canada some momentum," reported Steven Ellis from Daily Faceoff.

Howe is not just about putting on the best stats, he aims to impact the game through his energy and work ethic. Ellis elaborates on Howe's adaptability: "He’ll find his own niche somewhere along the way if he continues to bring the energy, draw penalties, play at the front of the net on the power play and become and active player to provide value in this tournament." His aggressive playing style will be important for Canada as the tournament progresses. The young forward aspires to emulate players such as Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand, both of whom possess strong competitive spirits.

On the Finnish side, Kalle Kangas and Emil Pieniniemi are set to contribute with distinct roles. Pieniniemi, who made the jump from the Finnish pro ranks to the Ontario Hockey League, has emerged as one of Canada’s top junior defenders this season, and has also been named one of Finland's four rotating alternate captains for the tournament.

While the Penguins may not have any representatives on Team USA, there's still local interest as Brandon Svoboda, a product of the Pittsburgh youth system and current player at Boston University, is competing for the American squad this year. Svoboda was drafted by the San Jose Sharks and has returned to his native area to showcase his talents.

The opening game, featuring Team Canada versus Team Finland, is scheduled for December 26th at 7:30 PM ET, and promises to kick off the excitement for the tournament right from the start. Canada’s remaining preliminary matches will occur against Latvia on December 27th, Germany on December 29th, and the USA on December 31st. Finland will also be busy, facing Germany on December 27th, the USA on December 29th, and Latvia on December 31st.

For fans watching from the United States, the games will be available to stream on NHL Network, ensuring no one misses out on the thrilling moments and potential upsets throughout the championship. This tournament is more than just hockey; it's about finding and nurturing the future stars of the sport, bringing together varied playing styles, and fostering international relationships through competition.

Overall, the level of competition promises to be fierce, as players prepare to prove their skills on one of the biggest stages junior hockey has to offer. All eyes will be on the developing talent during these exciting days of hockey, as scouts and fans alike eagerly await the next generation of stars.

With the puck set to drop, anticipation builds for what promises to be another unforgettable chapter at the World Junior Championships.

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