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The powerhouse Canadians look to advance to the IIHF World Junior Championship Semifinals for the first time in three years, as they prepare to face Slovakia in the quarterfinals on Friday night.
The World Juniors have officially been around since the 1970s, giving hockey fans the chance to see the next wave of talent perform on the big stage. From stars of yesteryear like Wayne Gretzky and Peter Forsberg, to the likes of Sidney Crosby, Connor Bedard and Connor McDavid, NHL greats – past and present – have competed in the tournament.
Despite being the winningest country in the tournament’s history, having won 20 gold medals, Canada has not been to the semifinals for the first time since its last championship in 2023. The team has flamed out in the quarters in each of the past two years, falling to Czechia each time.
The Canadians look more structured and more confident, heading into the knockout stage, going undefeated and finishing atop the Group B standings.
They take on a Slovakia team that certainly remembers the heartbreak it felt when Bedard’s goal in the quarters in Halifax eliminated what could have been a Cinderella run for the Slovaks. Even though they finished fourth in Group A, Slovakia cannot be taken lightly.
Slovakia has not made it to the semifinals at the WJC since its bronze-medal performance in 2015.
2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPQuarterfinals
Canada vs. Slovakia
When: Friday, January 2
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: 3M Arena at Mariucci (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Channel: NHL Network