2025 IIHF World Juniors: 3 bold predictions from tournament in Canada  

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships are set to begin on Thursday in Ottawa, Canada. Team USA enters the annual tournament as the reigning gold medal winner, having defeated Sweden last year in Gothenburg.

Not only is the United States returning with several players from last year, but Canada will be as well; as both teams are stacked with a bevy of future NHL talent.

Meanwhile, there are several other countries taking part in the tournament looking to defend their national pride and looking to earn a better result than they've had in years past.

The tournament begins on Thursday and will take place at Ottawa's Canadian Tire Center (home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators), as well as TD Place, home of the OHL's Ottawa 67s.

Here are three bold predictions from the tournament.

2025 IIHF World Juniors: 3 bold predictions from tournament in Canada

#3. Canada falls short again

Team Canada is typically regarded as the favorite for any tournament considering the nation is home to hockey.

However, the Canadians have found out the hard way that several equally capable nations produce top talent on the ice.

The Canadians will first face Finland on Thursday, who lost four of seven games last year.

While Canada has plenty of future NHL talent on their roster, they likely won't be able to get past the Americans. Look for Team Canada to finish with nothing more than the silver.

#2. Germany will turn heads and make life difficult for their competition

Picking up a single victory in the 2024 World Junior Championships will serve as fuel for the Germans this time to aim for a better showing.

While they're not expected to realistically compete for a medal, they should be able to have a more realistic shot this time around at making life difficult for their opposition.

Look for goaltender Nico Pertuch, (currently with an impressive 1.91 goals against average and a .906 save percentage for Ravensburg of DEL2) to make a name for himself in this year's tournament.

Germany enters the tournament as one of the clear underdogs.

#1. The United States ultimately repeats as gold medal champs

The United States is the top dog in the tournament until someone can knock them from their perch, and right now, they're arguably the deepest team.

Not only are they returning 10 players from last year's gold-medal winning squad, but a handful of exciting new players will be hitting the ice in the red, white and blue.

The Americans boast the championship experience, and the players who tasted the glory of winning last year will be able to help guide and influence the players looking for the gold themselves.

Who do you think will win the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships? Will Team USA repeat? Does Canada win on home soil or will there be an upset at hand? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.