The 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Canada starts this afternoon with four games taking place, including the defending champions Finland.
The World Junior Championship will be taking place in Toronto and Montreal as Canada hopes to use home advantage to end their five year goldless streak.
All three of the Dallas Stars prospects who are at the WJC will be in action today. Both Finland, (Julius Honka, Aleksi Makela) and Slovakia (Matej Paulovic) will be starting off their tournaments today. The entire schedule can be found here.
Four games are being played today:
Denmark – Russia 1PM Eastern
Despite the problems at home Russia are hoping to extend their four year medaling streak to five years and ten out of the last 11 years. The Danes don’t have the same kind of talent as Russia but bring two very good NHL prospects in Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Russia’s side is full of experienced players but keep an eye on draft prospect Ivan Provorov.
Finland – USA 3PM Eastern
Finland hopes to get off to a good start to defend their gold medal from last year but face a strong test in the form of the United States. The USA has a very strong team, led by their captain and top 2015 NHL draft prospect Jack Eichel. Both Julius Honka and Aleksi Makela are going to be on the blue line for Finland.
Sweden – Czech Republic 5PM Eastern
Sweden has a very good group, again, and hope to get to the finals once again this year. In the past two years Sweden has won the Silver medal at the WJC. They’ve lost their starting goaltender to injury but feature a strong side nevertheless. Top prospect Oliver Kylington is out of the tournament injured but their lineup includes another top European prospect in Jens Looke. The Czech Republic are hoping to improve upon last year’s disappointing performance.
Canada – Slovakia 8PM Eastern
Hosts Canada hope to end their two year streak without medalling and their five year streak without winning gold. Connor McDavid is one of the most exciting draft eligible on their team but keep an eye out for Lawson Crouse; he’ll go high in 2015. Canada boasts a very deep lineup against a Slovakia side that has very few drafted prospects. Dallas Stars prospect Matej Paulovic is one of a handful who are drafted.
All of the games will be broadcast in the United States on the NHL Network, either live or delayed. Live coverage of the USA vs Finland will start at 3PM Eastern. Russia vs Denmark will be broadcast between 6PM and 7PM on the NHL Network followed by Canada-Slovakia at 8PM.
In Canada, TSN will be covering the tournament.