2025 World Juniors Group A Preview: US vs Canada, NHL draft standouts, key predictions and more 

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships are on the horizon, and they'll begin the day after Christmas as the best young players in the world come together to compete for not only their native country but for pride.

The United States and Canada are set to battle one another as part of a special New Year's Eve matchup; a game that will take place at Canadian Tire Centre in the Canadian capital city of Ottawa. The venue also serves as the home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators.

Team USA is the reigning gold medal champion; last year, they defeated Team Sweden in Gothenburg. They've also taken home gold twice in the last four years and hope to repeat as champions the first time. Meanwhile, Canada last took home the gold in 2020.

NHL draft standouts

Both the United States and Canada are stocked with talent, as is typically the case.

Among the standouts for the United States is goaltender Trey Augustine, the No. 41 overall selection of his hometown Detroit Red Wings in the 2023 NHL draft.

Up front, the United States boasts forward Ryan Leonard, a 2023 draft selection of the Washington Capitals and currently playing at Boston University. Additionally, on the back end, Zeev Buium is a 2024 draft pick of the Minnesota Wild; he currently plays for the University of Denver, and he has a repeat gold performance on his mind.

"[Having a chance to repeat] is probably the most important thing in the world, and we definitely have the team to do it," Buium said via NHL.com. "We obviously have the talent, and we got a lot of guys that are willing to work hard and lot of guys who have won before too."

They'll face stiff competition on the Canadian side, who will aim to secure a better standing than last year's fifth-place finish. Among the talent on Team Canada includes forward Easton Cowan, a Toronto Maple Leafs draft selection, defenseman Oliver Bonk, a Philadelphia Flyers draft selection and Seattle Kraken draft pick Carson Rehkopf.

Canada also has young forward Gavin McKenna, whom many analysts project could be a top pick in the 2026 NHL draft.

Key predictions

Expect close competition between the two proud hockey nations. But ultimately, the championship experience of so many returning players for the United States should give them the edge necessary to win and ring in the new year the right way.

Final Score Prediction: United States 4, Canada 2