The United States enters the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic having medalled in four consecutive tournaments for the first time in program history.
Last year, Team USA lost in the gold medal game to Finland after mounting a comeback before allowing Kaapo Kakko to net the game-winner with under two minutes remaining. It marked the 12th medal for the Americans and the second silver medal in the country’s history at the tournament.
No longer considered an afterthought, the U.S. is now an established power on the World Juniors circuit and are once again medal contenders, opening the tournament behind only Canada’s gold-medal odds.
Here’s everything to know about the tournament, including how to watch live games in the United States and a complete schedule with updated scores and standings.
Team USA’s schedule and results at World Juniors
The format for the 2020 World Junior Championship consists of two groups of five teams playing a preliminary round-robin to determine seeding followed by a single-elimination tournament. The United States drew Group B, which also includes Canada, Germany, Russia and the host country, the Czech Republic.
| Date | Opponent | Result | TV info |
| Dec. 26 | Canada | 1 p.m. (NHLN, TSN) | |
| Dec. 27 | Germany | 1 p.m. (NHLN, TSN) | |
| Dec. 29 | Russia | 1 p.m. (NHLN, TSN) | |
| Dec. 30 | Czech Republic | 1 p.m. (NHLN, TSN) | |
| Jan. 2 | Quarterfinals | TBD (NHLN, TSN) | |
| Jan. 4 | Semifinals | TBD (NHLN, TSN) | |
| Jan. 5 | Medal games | TBD (NHLN, TSN) |
(All times Eastern)
How to watch USA games live online
In the United States, World Junior Championship games are only available on NHL Network, which has plans to televise 20 live games. American viewers can find a live stream for games online with a subscription to NHL.tv or through the NHL app. Stephen Nelson will provide the play-by-play for each Team USA game and will be joined by analyst Dave Starman and reporter Jill Savage.
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Team USA’s 2020 World Juniors roster
This year’s squad is built around goaltending and goal scoring. Florida Panthers 2019 draft pick Spencer Knight is expected to be between the pipes while the likes of Trevor Zegras (ANA), Cole Caufield (MTL) and Oliver Wahlstrom (NYI) will be relied on to put points on the board. Team USA’s defense isn’t too shabby either as team captain Mattias Samuelsson (BUF) and New York Rangers prospect, and assistant captain, K’Andre Miller will man the blue line.
| Name | 2019-20 team | NHL rights |
| John Beecher | Michigan (Big Ten) | Bruins |
| Bobby Brink | Denver (NCHC) | Flyers |
| Cole Caufield | Wisconsin (Big Ten) | Canadiens |
| Jack Drury | Harvard (ECAC) | Hurricanes |
| Parker Ford | Providence (HEA) | 2020 draft |
| Curtis Hall | Yale (ECAC | Bruins |
| Arthur Kaliyev | Hamilton (OHL) | Kings |
| Shane Pinto | North Dakota (NCHC) | Senators |
| Jacob Pivonka | Notre Dame (Big Ten) | Islanders |
| Nick Robertson | Peterborough Petes | Maple Leafs |
| Alex Turcotte | Wisconsin (Big Ten) | Kings |
| Oliver Wahlstrom | Bridgeport (AHL) | Islanders |
| Trevor Zegras | Boston University (HEA) | Ducks |
DEFENSEMEN
| Name | 2019-20 team | NHL rights |
| Ty Emberson | Wisconsin (Big Ten) | Coyotes |
| Jordan Harris | Northeastern (HEA) | Canadiens |
| Zac Jones | UMass-Amherst (HAE) | Rangers |
| K’Andre Miller | Wisconsin (Big Ten) | Rangers |
| Mattias Samuelsson | Western Michigan (NCHC) | Sabres |
| Spencer Stastney | Notre Dame (Big Ten) | Predators |
| Cam York | Michigan | Flyers |
GOALIES
| Name | 2019-20 team | NHL rights |
| Spencer Knight | Boston College (HEA) | Panthers |
| Isaiah Saville | Nebraska Omaha (NCHC) | Golden Knights |
| Dustin Wolf | Everett Silvertips (WHL) | Flames |
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World Junior Championship standings
GROUP A
| Team | Wins | Losses | OTL | Points |
| 1. Finland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2. Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4. Slovakia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5. Kazakhstan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GROUP B
| Team | Wins | Losses | OTL | Points |
| 1. United States | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2. Russia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4. Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5. Germany | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wins in regulation = 3 points
Overtime win = 2 points
Overtime loss = 1 point
Full World Junior Championship schedule
| THURSDAY, DEC. 26 | ||
| Switzerland vs. Kazakhstan | 9 a.m. | TSN 1/3 |
| Czech Republic vs. Russia | 9 a.m. | TSN 4/5, NHLN |
| Sweden vs. Finland | 1 p.m. | TSN3 |
| Canada vs. United States | 1 p.m. | TSN 1/4/5, NHLN |
| FRIDAY, DEC. 27 | ||
| Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan | 9 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Germany vs. United States | 1 p.m. | TSN 1/3/4, NHLN |
| SATURDAY, DEC. 28 | ||
| Finland vs. Slovakia | 9 a.m. | TSN 1/3, NHLN |
| Czech Republic vs. Germany | 9 a.m. | TSN 4/5 |
| Switzerland vs. Sweden | 1 p.m. | TSN3 |
| Russia vs. Canada | 1 p.m. | TSN 1/4/5, NHLN |
| SUNDAY, DEC. 29 | ||
| Kazakhstan vs. Finland | 9 a.m. | TSN 3/4/5, NHLN |
| United States vs. Russia | 1 p.m. | TSN 4/5, NHLN |
| MONDAY, DEC. 30 | ||
| Kazakhstan vs. Sweden | 9 a.m. | TSN3 |
| Germany vs. Canada | 9 a.m. | TSN 1/4/5, NHLN |
| Slovakia vs. Switzerland | 1 p.m. | TSN 1/3 |
| United States vs. Czech Republic | 1 p.m. | TSN 4/5, NHLN |
| TUESDAY, DEC. 31 | ||
| Sweden vs. Slovakia | 9 a.m. | TSN 1/3, NHLN |
| Russia vs. Germany | 9 a.m. | TSN 4/5 |
| Finland vs. Switzerland | 1 p.m. | TSN3 |
| Canada vs. Czech Republic | 1:00 p.m. | TSN 1/4/5, NHLN |
| THURSDAY, JAN. 2 | ||
| Quarterfinal | 6:30 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Quarterfinal | 9 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Quarterfinal | 11:30 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Quarterfinal | 2 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| SATURDAY, JAN. 4 | ||
| Semifinal | 9 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Semifinal | 1 p.m. | TSN 1/4/5, NHLN |
| SUNDAY, JAN. 5 | ||
| Bronze-medal game | 9 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Gold-medal game | 1 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
(All times Eastern)