For the first time since 2020, Kazakhstan will be returning to the World Junior Championship Top Division, by virtue of France’s defeat of Austria, meaning that the 4-0 Kazakhs locked up their spot at the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa, Canada two days before the Division IA tournament in Budapest, Hungary ends.

Kazakhstan has already cruised to twelve points to sit atop the table with victories over Hungary, Denmark, France and Japan, with their finale to come against Austria. France’s 7-4 win over Austria locked them into the 2-3 position at six points apiece, meaning no team can now catch up to the Kazakhs regardless of any outcomes on Saturday, thanks in large part to the play of goaltender Vladimir Nikitin, posting a .956 save percentage and one shutout in four victories.

Kazakhstan will return to the Top Division for the first time since 2020, and for just the fourth time in team history, notably with each promotion (in 1997, 2007 and 2018) never resulting in demotion the following year, with stints of four, two and two tournaments at the Top Division thus far. A perennial fan favourite at Top Division tournaments, Kazakhstan will await their schedule in Group B in Ottawa following the end of Top Division group play on 31 December, looking to avoid relegation to Division IA in 2026.

Photo Credit: Kazakhstan Hockey – IIHF – HHOF – IOC