The World Junior Championship is one of the most celebrated tournaments in all of hockey. The U-20 showdown, which starts right after Christmas, is an institution in Canada: Imagine March Madness, if 40 million people were all cheering for Kentucky.
In recent years, the United States has become a force at the tournament, winning the past two gold medals thanks to a golden-age cohort of talent gathered almost entirely from the NCAA ranks. Team USA will be protecting home ice this year, as the tourney is hosted by the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. But another gold will not be easy. Canada, Sweden and the Czechs look as strong as ever while the Americans are not as deep. This edition of the world juniors will also be fascinating because a number of Canadian stars are playing NCAA hockey now - which means college teammates will be squaring off. Here's a look at 10 college players to know heading into the tournament.
1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
He came into the season as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft and has put up more than a point per game for theNittany Lionsas a freshman. Some pundits have complained it's not enough, so look for McKenna, a fabulous playmaker, to prove them wrong as he tries to nab gold with Canada.
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2. James Hagens, C, Boston College
A gold-medal winner with Team USA last year, Hagens is now a veteran on the squad and will be looked to as a play driver. While Boston College got off to a slow start, the team has been hotter lately and Hagens has been a consistent producer. The pressure will be on theBoston Bruinsfirst-rounder to step up for the Americans.
3. Porter Martone, RW, Michigan State
ThePhiladelphia Flyersfirst-rounder is a power forward with a lot of tools who has made a seamless transition from major junior to the NCAA. He's theSpartans' top scorer and played for Canada at the world juniors last year, though he wasn't deployed correctly by the coaches. Canada has better leadership this year, so that should not be an issue again.
4. Will Horcoff, C, Michigan
A potential Hobey Bakey winner this season, Horcoff has been a beast for theWolverinesin his sophomore year. ThePittsburgh Penguinsfirst-rounder has been a rocket-like ascent since he joined Michigan midway through last season and he'll be counted on for offense on Team USA. His size will be an asset, too.
5. Cole Hutson, D, Boston University
The Washington Capitals prospect made history at last year's world juniors when he became the first defenseman to lead the tournament in scoring outright. So yeah, Hutson can produce. He'll need to be on point again this year if the Americans want a medal, as they will certainly have a target on their collective backs.
6. Michael Hage, C, Michigan
Along with Horcoff, Hage has been one of the biggest reasons that Michigan has been scoring in bunches this season. TheMontreal Canadiensfirst-rounder has a dazzling skill set and gives Canada yet another center who can take over a game. Good luck trying to line-match them. Having Hage and Michigan State's Martone on the same team is kinda funny.
7. Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, UMass
A growing number of Europeans have joined the NCAA ranks in recent years, so it won't just be North Americans repped at the tourney. Nestrasil, who will play for the Czechs, has been a big-time talent for the Minutemen as a freshman. The 6-foot-5 power forward is a Chicago Blackhawks first-rounder and is averaging more than a point per game in college.
8. Wilson Bjorck, C, Colorado College
While Bjorck hasn't put up big numbers with the Tigers, the Swedish freshman will be one to watch at the world juniors because he was electric during the summer world junior camp tournament. Also, the Vancouver Canucks prospect will be on the same team as his younger brother Viggo, an intriguing 2026 draft prospect.
9. Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota
While McKenna will be the Canadian draft prospect to watch up front, Verhoeff will be the focus on defense. A big, two-way talent who has found early success with the Fighting Hawks, Verhoeff gets a chance to show off his game on the biggest stage there is for junior players. He could easily go No. 2 in the draft this summer.
10. Nick Kempf, G, Notre Dame
The Americans were spoiled for goaltending with Trey Augustine, but he's too old for the tournament now and the crease is a question mark this year. Team USA even brought in 17-year-old Brady Knowling to camp at the last minute. Kempf, a Washington Capitals pick, has the chance to really step up, even if his numbers with the Fighting Irish aren't great.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Team USA, Canada both in hunt for World Junior Championship gold medal
