The schedule for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ostrava and Třinec, Czechia has been released, with the host nation opening the tournament against rivals Russia, while defending champion Finland opens their defence against border rival Sweden.

Group A, playing at the Werk Arena in Třinec, features the 2019 champions Finland, along with Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia and the surprising Kazakhstan. The opening tilt will feature the top two contenders in the group, as Sweden is still riding a 48-game preliminary undefeated streak at the World Juniors, while the Leijonat are riding high from their stunning victory in Vancouver one year ago. The Swiss, the surprising fourth place finishers from Vancouver, will again look to play spoiler, while Slovakia and Kazakhstan will certainly look to surprise as well.

Group B, from the Ostravar Aréna in Ostrava, includes the host Czechs, Russia, Canada, newly-promoted Germany and the United States. Team USA will look to avenge their heartbreaking silver medal finish in 2019, while Canada looks to regain in the medal round after failing to medal in front of their home crowd. The Czechs will obviously want a strong performance in front of the home crowd, while the Russian will be looking to break Czech hearts on enemy ice, and the Germans will want to be the spoilers of the group.

The tournament schedule is as follows:

The IHLC champion for the tournament will be confirmed likely in the preliminary lead-up to the tournament, but the contenders will emerge at this summer’s National Junior Evaluation Camp, to see who will carry the crown into the “Land of the Bohemian crown.”

Photo Credit: 2015 World Ice Hockey Championship – IIHF – HHOF – IOC