2021 World Juniors Preview: Participating Teams

Ten countries will participate in the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, beginning December 25. Group A is comprised of Canada, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, and Switzerland; Group B is comprised of Austria, Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.
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Czech Republic

The Czech Republic hasn't earned a medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship since 2005 (bronze), and with teams such as Russia, Sweden, and the United States in their Group, they face very difficult competition in the Preliminary Round. Among the Czech players returning from last year's tournament are team captain Jan Mysak (selected by Montreal in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft) and Jaromir Pytlik (selected by New Jersey in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft).

Finland

Finland won a gold medal in the tournament two years ago, when current Ranger Kaapo Kakko tallied the game-winning goal in the Gold Medal Game, and they expect to contend for a medal again this year. Finland's roster features recent first-round draft picks such as Anton Lundell (selected 12th overall by Florida in 2020) and Ville Heinola (selected 20th overall by Winnipeg in 2019).

Germany

Germany remains in the tournament this year after being saved in relegation games last year. Their roster is highlighted by forward Tim Stutzle, who was selected by Ottawa with the third overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Russia

Russia has earned a medal in each of the last two tournaments (including a silver medal last year) and in nine of the last 10 years, but has not won a gold medal since 2011, when current Ranger Artemi Panarin scored the game-winning goal in the Gold Medal Game. With a new Head Coach behind the bench, Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov, and a roster with only three players returning from last year, Russia will aim to win that elusive gold medal. The team is led by goaltender Iaroslav Askarov, who was selected by Nashville with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, and forward Vasily Podkolzin, who was selected by Vancouver with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Slovakia

After earning a bronze medal in 2015, Slovakia has lost in the Quarterfinals in each of the last five years. Among the players returning from last year's tournament are defenseman Samuel Knazko, a third-round pick by Columbus in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Sweden

Sweden enters the tournament with a 52-game winning streak in the Preliminary Round of the IIHF World Junior Championship; the last time Sweden lost a game in the Preliminary Round was on Dec. 31, 2006. However, Sweden has not won a gold medal since 2012, when current Ranger Mika Zibanejad registered the "Golden Goal" in overtime of the Gold Medal Game. Last year's bronze medal winners are expected to make another run at a medal this year, as their roster features two forwards who were top-10 picks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz, and two defensemen who were top picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Philip Broberg (eighth overall by Edmonton) and Victor Soderstrom (11th overall by Arizona).

Switzerland

Switzerland was one of the pleasant surprises in last year's tournament, winning three of four games in the Preliminary Round before losing to Russia in the Quarterfinals. Switzerland is expected to have one of the youngest teams in the tournament this year, however, with only a handful of players who were on the team last year.

United States

The United States' loss in the Quarterfinals last year ended their streak of four consecutive years with a medal (one goal, one silver, two bronze). A talented, motivated group returns this year looking to avenge last year's disappointment. Team USA's roster includes several recent first-round draft picks, including forwards Alex Turcotte (selected fifth overall by Los Angeles in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft), Trevor Zegras (ninth overall by Anaheim in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft), and Cole Caufield (15th overall by Montreal in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft), defensemen Jake Sanderson (fifth overall by Ottawa in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft) and Cam York (14th overall by Philadelphia in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft), and goaltender Spencer Knight (13th overall by Florida in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft). Rangers prospects Brett Berard and Hunter Skinner will also be relied on to help Team USA as they each play in their first World Junior Championship tournament.