Hockey fans are counting down the hours as the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship kicks off on December 26, taking place in Ottawa, Canada. Following last year’s quarterfinals disappointment, Team Canada is favored to reclaim the gold medal, but the path won't be easy, particularly with their opening match against Finland.
Canada, coming off of a lackluster fifth-place finish last year, brings renewed vigor to this year’s tournament. The squad is packed with talent, highlighted by goaltenders Carson Bjarnason and Carter George, who are expected to bolster the team’s defense against any offensive onslaught from Finland.
According to Sports Interaction, Canada enters the tournament as the frontrunner with +125 odds, just ahead of the reigning champions, the United States, at +150. This year's roster, though, has been the subject of much discussion, as several promising players like Andrew Cristall and Beckett Sennett were left off the final team. Despite these omissions, Canada boasts notable veterans, including captain Brayden Yager and standout player Gavin McKenna.
At just 17 years old, McKenna has drawn comparisons to previous two-time champions Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. McKenna's achievements include leading the Western Hockey League (WHL) with 60 points—in merely 30 games—and his success at the U18 World Junior Championship, where he claimed gold with 20 points over 10 games.
Meanwhile, Finland enters the tournament with six returning players from last year’s team, which faced disappointment against Czechia. While they possess decent goaltending and role depth, concerns about their lack of star power remain prevalent. Key players like Konsta Helenius, who was drafted 14th overall by Buffalo, will need to step up significantly if they hope to compete effectively.
Canada's head coach Dave Cameron faces the challenge of not only reestablishing Canada’s dominance but also managing young talents like McKenna, who have shown promise during pre-tournament games. After starting as an extra forward, McKenna found his rhythm during subsequent games and is seen as key to Canada’s success.
Besides McKenna, newcomers such as Easton Cowan and Bradley Nadeau need to rise to the occasion, particularly against formidable teams like the United States, which remains eager to defend its title. The U.S. roster is headlined by players like Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, who have shown they can produce at high levels.
Canada and the U.S. have continually battled for World Junior supremacy, but all eyes will be on the match scheduled for December 31, pinpointed as potentially pivotal. Expert opinions are divided, with some believing Canada’s depth will grant them the edge, whereas others are solidly standing behind the U.S’s star players.
Reflecting on historical performance, Canada has enjoyed significant success against Finland, holding a dominant record of 27 wins, 9 losses, and 6 ties at the World Juniors. This historical performance combined with their current roster’s strength sets up expectations for their opening game.
Following the round-robin portion, the tournament will continue through to January 5, culminating in medal games. Each match will dissect the strategies of these young athletes, showcasing their capability to perform under pressure. With several players scouting for NHL contracts through their performance, the stakes have never been higher.
Fans can catch all the action on NHL Network and various streaming platforms, marking the event as not just another tournament, but as the highlight of the junior hockey season.
With the tournament just around the corner, it’s time for players to put their hard work on display and strive for the ultimate goal: the gold medal.
