On Wednesday, Dec. 26, Team USA will start their 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship schedule against Slovakia. Here’s the start time and everything you need to know to watch.
The 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship Tournament starts on Wednesday, Dec. 26. There are four games on the schedule on the opening day and that includes Team USA’s opener. They will start their quest for a gold medal at 6:30 p.m. ET when they square off against Slovakia.
Team USA won the bronze medal last year and hopes to get back into the gold medal game this year. They made the semifinal in 2018 before losing to Sweden 4-2. The United States will be bringing back a majority of that roster.
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What: Team USA vs. Slovakia
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 26
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
TV schedule: NHL Network, TSN
Live Stream: Reddit
On their blueline, Quinn Hughes, Mikey Anderson, and Dylan Samberg will be returning. In net, Team USA will have three newcomers, led by Spencer Knight, the top-rated goalie in the 2019 NHL Draft. Kyle Keyser and Cayden Primeau will be the other two goalies. Knight will be expected to be the starter.
At forward, Jack Hughes, who is projected to be the top pick of the 2019 draft, will lead the way for the Americans. Josh Norris will serve as an alternate captain and is a fellow returnee. Ryan Poehling, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, is the only other returning forward.
Meanwhile, Slovakia finished seventh last season. They will have a mostly new group from last season. Defenseman Martin Fehervary, drafted in 2018 by the Washington Capitals, will lead a young blueline. Marek Korencik and Michal Ivan are the other returning defensemen for them. In net, Jakub Kostelny will be their lone returning goaltender.
Their forwards will be led by three Calgary Flames prospects – Adam Ruzicka, Martin Pospisil, and Milos Roman.
For updated 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship information, be sure to check out our International Tournaments page.