The United States is set to defend its championship title as the world junior hockey championship kicks off on Thursday in Ottawa.

Ten players from the previous championship-winning team are returning for this year’s tournament, which showcases the top under-20 hockey talents, including NHL prospects both drafted and undrafted.

The USA’s roster comprises 25 players (14 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goaltenders), featuring six first-round NHL picks, eight second-round picks, and eight more chosen in later rounds. Notably, 22 players are affiliated with college hockey programs.

The U.S. team is positioned in Group A alongside Canada, Finland, Germany, and Latvia. Group B includes Czechia, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Here’s essential information regarding the world junior championships happening from December 26 to January 5:

Where to watch the world junior championships?

Games will be available on NHL Network in the U.S. and TSN in Canada.

Team USA roster for the world junior championships

Goaltenders

Number, player, team

*-part of last year’s team

1 Trey Augustine, Michigan State*

30 Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan

31 Sam Hillebrandt, Barrie Colts*

Defensemen

Number, player, team

3 Logan Hensler, Wisconsin

4 Colin Ralph, St. Cloud State

5 Drew Fortescue, Boston College*

6 Adam Kleber, Minnesota Duluth

14 Aram Minnetian, Boston College*

16 Paul Fischer, Notre Dame

24 Cole Hutson, Boston University

28 Zeev Buium, University of Denver*

Forwards

Number, player, team

2 Teddy Stiga, Boston College

8 Brandon Svoboda, Boston University

9 Ryan Leonard, Boston College*

10 Carey Terrance, Erie Otters*

11 Oliver Moore, University of Minnesota*

12 James Hagens, Boston College

17 Danny Nelson, Notre Dame*

19 Trevor Connelly, Providence College

20 Joey Willis, Saginaw Spirit

22 Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth

23 Austin Burnevik, St. Cloud State

34 Gabe Perreault, Boston College*

74 Brodie Ziemer, University of Minnesota

91 Cole Eiserman, Boston University

Top draft prospects for 2025 to keep an eye on

James Hagens from Team USA is highlighted among Central Scouting’s notable early season prospects to watch. He has accumulated 20 points in 16 games while playing for Boston College.

Additional A-rated players participating in this tournament include USA’s Logan Hensler, Canada’s Porter Martone, and Canada’s Matthew Schaeffer.

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Forward Viktor Eklund, sibling of the San Jose Sharks’ William Eklund, will compete for Sweden.

Schedule for the world junior championships

All times are in ET

Dec. 26

• Sweden vs. Slovakia, noon, NHLN, TSN
• Germany vs. United States, 2:30, NHLN, TSN
• Switzerland vs. Czechia, 5, NHLN, TSN
• Canada vs. Finland, 7:30; NHLN, TSN

Dec. 27

• Slovakia vs. Switzerland, 1, NHLN, TSN
• Finland vs. Germany, 3:30; NHLN, TSN4
• Kazakhstan vs. Sweden, 5; TSN, NHLN will air at 11
• Canada vs. Latvia, 7:30, NHLN, TSN

Dec. 28

• Czechia vs. Kazakhstan, 1, NHLN, TSN
• United States vs. Latvia, 3:30, NHLN, TSN

Dec. 29

• Sweden vs. Switzerland, noon, NHLN, TSN
• Finland vs. United States, 2:30, NHLN, TSN4
• Slovakia vs. Czechia, 5 ET, NHLN, TSN
• Germany vs. Canada, 7:30, NHLN, TSN

Dec. 30

• Kazakhstan vs. Slovakia, 1 ET, NHLN, TSN
• Latvia vs. Germany, 3:30, NHLN, TSN

Dec. 31

• Switzerland vs. Kazakhstan, noon, NHLN, TSN
• Latvia vs. Finland, 2:30, TSN4. NHLN will air at 3:30 on Jan. 1
• Czechia vs. Sweden, 5, NHLN, TSN
• United States vs. Canada, 8, NHLN, TSN

Jan. 2

• Quarterfinal 1, noon, NHLN, TSN
• Quarterfinal 2, 2:30, NHLN, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5
• Quarterfinal 3, 5, NHLN, TSN
• Quarterfinal 4, 7:30, NHLN, TSN

Jan. 4

• Semifinal 1 3:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN
• Semifinal 2 7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN

Jan. 5

• Third-place match, 3:30, NHLN, TSN
• Final game, 7:30, NHLN, TSN