2025 World Junior Championship: 3 underdogs that could spring a surprise 

Following the Christmas holiday, hockey fans everywhere will be treated to some of the best young talent on earth that will gather in the Canadian capital city of Ottawa for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The tournament 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, from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5.

The United States enters the tournament as the defending gold medal champion, having defeated Team Sweden last year in Gothenburg.

And while the USA and Canada are getting plenty of deserved attention, who are some teams that could prove to be underdogs and provide some stiff competition?

2025 World Junior Championship: 3 underdogs that could spring a surprise

#1. Czechia

Having gone without a gold medal since 2001 in the World Junior Championship, Czechia will hope to put its mark on the annual tournament after taking home the bronze last year.

They're not without talent, as they feature a handful of future NHL players including Seattle Kraken draft selection Eduard Sale along with a pair of St. Louis Blues draft picks, Adam Jecho and Jakub Stancl.

Czechia opens its tournament schedule with a matchup against Switzerland on Dec. 26.

#2. Switzerland

The Swiss team failed to qualify for a medal last year and will be motivated to change their fortunes around.

2025 projected draft pick Leo Braillard is expected to lead the way offensively; he plays for the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes, and has scored 12 goals in 24 games.

In net, the Swiss could turn to Ewan Huet, the son of French-born former NHL goaltender Cristobal Huet. They also have a physically imposing option to start between the pipes in the 6'4 Elijah Neuenschwander.

Their first game will be against Czechia on Dec. 26.

#3. Germany

While not necessarily thought of as a traditional hotbed of hockey, Germany has produced some top hockey talent over the years, including Edmonton Oilers sniper Leon Draisaitl and Detroit Red Wings workhorse defenseman Moritz Seider.

At least five players from last year's WJC roster are returning, including Norwin Panocha (Buffalo Sabres draft pick) and Julius Sumpf, projected as a draft pick in 2026.

Goaltender Nico Pertuch, who sports an impressive 1.91 goals against average and a .906 save percentage for Ravensburg of DEL2, could get the bulk of the starts.

They'll face the United States on Dec. 26.

Do you think any of these teams could pull off an upset and win the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.