The IIHF World Junior Championship is an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for national under-20 teams worldwide. The tournament is held from late December to early January and attracts the best young hockey talent, with many participants going on to successful professional careers in the NHL and other leagues. The competition features the Top Division, where ten of the world's strongest hockey nations compete for the championship. Additionally, lower-tier tournaments (Divisions I, II, and III) allow teams to compete for promotion to higher levels or avoid relegation. The tournament started in 1977 and has become a significant event, especially in hockey-centric countries. As of 2024, Canada holds the most titles of WJC with 20 gold medals followed by the Soviet Union/CIS/Russia with 13.
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championship will be the 49th edition, starting on December 26, 2024, and will end on January 5, 2025. Canada will be hosting the tournament in Ottawa City at Canadian Tire Centre and TD Place.
Related: World Junior Hockey Championship Team
IIHF World Junior Championship rosters list
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship promises another thrilling matchup of the world's top under-20 hockey talent. Hosted in Ottawa, Canada, the tournament features two groups. Group A includes the United States, Finland, Canada, Latvia, and Germany. Group B includes Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan. Teams will battle for the championship with quarterfinals beginning after group play on December 31, 2024.
According to IIHF's official website, below is the list of rosters from each participating country in the IIHF:
Group A
Canada
| Pos. | No. | Player | Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Jack Ivankovic | Brampton Steelheads | OHL | |
| G | 30 | Carter George | Owen Sound Attack | OHL | Los Angeles Kings |
| G | 31 | Carson Bjarnason | Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | Philadelphia Flyers |
| D | 2 | Andrew Gibson | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | Nashville Predators |
| D | 3 | Sam Dickinson | London Knights | OHL | San Jose Sharks |
| D | 4 | Caden Price | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | Seattle Kraken |
| D | 5 | Oliver Bonk | London Knights | OHL | Philadelphia Flyers |
| D | 6 | Tanner Molendyk | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | Nashville Predators |
| D | 7 | Sawyer Mynio | Seattle Thunderbirds | WHL | Vancouver Canucks |
| D | 8 | Beau Akey | Barrie Colts | OHL | Edmonton Oilers |
| D | 25 | Matthew Schaefer | Erie Otters | OHL | |
| F | 9 | Gavin McKenna | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | |
| F | 10 | Bradly Nadeau | Chicago Wolves | AHL | Carolina Hurricanes |
| F | 11 | Brayden Yager | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | Winnipeg Jets |
| F | 12 | Jett Luchanko | Guelph Storm | OHL | Philadelphia Flyers |
| F | 13 | Luca Pinelli | Ottawa 67's | OHL | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| F | 14 | Berkly Catton | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | Seattle Kraken |
| F | 16 | Carson Rehkopf | Brampton Steelheads | OHL | Seattle Kraken |
| F | 20 | Ethan Gauthier | Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| F | 21 | Calum Ritchie | Oshawa Generals | OHL | Colorado Avalanche |
| F | 22 | Porter Martone | Brampton Steelheads | OHL | |
| F | 23 | Tanner Howe | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| F | 26 | Cole Beaudoin | Barrie Colts | OHL | Utah Hockey Club |
| F | 27 | Easton Cowan | London Knights | OHL | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| F | 28 | Mathieu Cataford | Rimouski Océanic | QMJHL | Vegas Golden Knights |
USA
| Pos. | No. | Player | Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Trey Augustine | Michigan State University | B1G | Detroit Red Wings |
| G | 30 | Hampton Slukynsky | Western Michigan University | NCHC | Los Angeles Kings |
| G | 31 | Sam Hillebrandt | Barrie Colts | OHL | |
| D | 3 | Logan Hensler | University of Wisconsin | B1G | |
| D | 4 | Colin Ralph | St. Cloud State University | NCHC | St. Louis Blues |
| D | 5 | Drew Fortescue | Boston College | HE | New York Rangers |
| D | 6 | Adam Kleber | University of Minnesota Duluth | NCHC | Buffalo Sabres |
| D | 14 | Aram Minnetian | Boston College | HE | Dallas Stars |
| D | 16 | Paul Fischer | University of Notre Dame | B1G | Edmonton Oilers |
| D | 24 | Cole Hutson | Boston University | HE | Washington Capitals |
| D | 28 | Zeev Buium | University of Denver | NCHC | Minnesota Wild |
| F | 2 | Teddy Stiga | Boston College | HE | Winnipeg Jets |
| F | 8 | Brandon Svoboda | Boston University | HE | San Jose Sharks |
| F | 9 | Ryan Leonard | Boston College | HE | Washington Capitals |
| F | 10 | Carey Terrance | Erie Otters | OHL | Anaheim Ducks |
| F | 11 | Oliver Moore | University of Minnesota | B1G | Chicago Blackhawks |
| F | 12 | James Hagens | Boston College | HE | |
| F | 17 | Danny Nelson | University of Notre Dame | B1G | New York Islanders |
| F | 19 | Trevor Connelly | Providence College | HE | Vegas Golden Knights |
| F | 20 | Joey Willis | Saginaw Spirit | OHL | Nashville Predators |
| F | 22 | Max Plante | University of Minnesota Duluth | NCHC | Detroit Red Wings |
| F | 23 | Austin Burnevik | St. Cloud State University | NCHC | Anaheim Ducks |
| F | 34 | Gabe Perreault | Boston College | HE | New York Rangers |
| F | 36 | Cole Eiserman | Boston University | HE | New York Islanders |
| F | 74 | Brodie Ziemer | University of Minnesota | B1G | Buffalo Sabres |
Finland
| Pos. | No. | Player | Club Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Kim Saarinen | HPK Hämeenlinna | Liiga | Seattle Kraken |
| G | 30 | Petteri Rimpinen | Kiekko-Espoo | Liiga | |
| G | 31 | Noa Vali | TPS Turku | Liiga | |
| F | 12 | Joona Saarelainen | KalPa Kuopio | Liiga | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| F | 15 | Tuomas Uronen | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | Vegas Golden Knights |
| F | 18 | Rasmus Kumpulainen | Pelicans Lahti | Liiga | Minnesota Wild |
| F | 19 | Konsta Helenius | Rochester Americans | AHL | Buffalo Sabres |
| F | 21 | Topias Hynninen | Mikkelin Jukurit | Liiga | |
| F | 22 | Kasper Halttunen | London Knights | OHL | San Jose Sharks |
| F | 23 | Roope Vesterinen | HPK Hämeenlinna | Liiga | |
| F | 24 | Jesse Nurmi | London Knights | OHL | New York Islanders |
| F | 27 | Julius Miettinen | Everett Silvertips | WHL | Seattle Kraken |
| F | 28 | Heikki Ruohonen | Dubuque Fighting Saints | USHL | Philadelphia Flyers |
| F | 29 | Arttu Alasiurua | Kärpät Oulu | Liiga | |
| F | 32 | Emil Hemming | Barrie Colts | OHL | Dallas Stars |
| F | 37 | Benjamin Rautiainen | Tappara Tampere | Liiga | |
| F | 38 | Jesse Kiiskinen | HPK Hämeenlinna | Liiga | Detroit Red Wings |
| D | 2 | Mitja Jokinen | TPS Turku | Liiga | |
| D | 3 | Kalle Kangas | HPK Hämeenlinna | Liiga | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| D | 6 | Sebastian Soini | Ilves Tampere | Liiga | Minnesota Wild |
| D | 7 | Daniel Nieminen | Pelicans Lahti | Liiga | |
| D | 10 | Emil Pieniniemi | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| D | 13 | Veeti Väisänen | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | Utah Hockey Club |
| D | 33 | Aron Kiviharju | HIFK Helsinki | Liiga | Minnesota Wild |
| D | 35 | Arttu Tuhkala | Luleå HF | SHL |
Germany
| Pos. | No. | Player | Club Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Nico Pertuch | Ravensburg Towerstars | DEL2 | |
| G | 29 | Linus Vieillard | Eisbären Juniors Berlin | DNL | |
| G | 30 | Lennart Neiße | Cambridge Redhawks | GOJHL | |
| D | 4 | Max Hense | Kölner Junghaie | DNL | |
| D | 5 | Paul Mayer | Heilbronner Falken | DEL2 | |
| D | 6 | Norwin Panocha | Green Bay Gamblers | USHL | Buffalo Sabres |
| D | 7 | Carlos Händel | Halifax Mooseheads | QMJHL | |
| D | 16 | Kilian Kühnhauser | Löwen Frankfurt | DEL | |
| D | 17 | Lua Niehus | Kölner Haie | DEL | |
| D | 18 | Rio Kaiser | Eisbären Berlin | DEL | |
| D | 22 | Edwin Tropmann | EC Bad Nauheim | DEL2 | |
| F | 8 | Noah Samanski | Powell River Kings | BCHL | |
| F | 9 | Elias Pul | Blue Devils Weiden | DEL2 | |
| F | 10 | Timo Ruckdäschel | Grizzlys Wolfsburg | DEL | |
| F | 11 | David Lewandowski | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | |
| F | 14 | Nick Maul | ESV Kaufbeuren | DEL2 | |
| F | 15 | Lenny Boos | Starbulls Rosenheim | DEL2 | |
| F | 19 | Marco Münzenberger | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | |
| F | 20 | Maxim Schäfer | Red Bull Hockey Juniors | AlpsHL | |
| F | 21 | Paul Vinzens | Red Bull Hockey Juniors | AlpsHL | |
| F | 23 | Linus Brandl | EV Landshut | DEL2 | |
| F | 24 | Clemens Sager | EC Kassel Huskies | DEL2 | |
| F | 25 | Tobias Schwarz | EV Landshut | DEL2 | |
| F | 26 | Julius Sumpf | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | |
| F | 27 | Simon Seidl | EV Landshut | DEL2 |
Latvia
| Pos. | No. | Player | Club Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Aksels Ozols | HK Zemgale/LBTU | LAT | |
| G | 29 | Linards Feldbergs | Sherbrooke Phoenix | QMJHL | |
| G | 30 | Jānis Fecers | Herning Blue Fox | DEN | |
| D | 2 | Krišjānis Sārts | St. Cloud Norsemen | NAHL | |
| D | 3 | Viktors Kurbaka | Oceláři Třinec | ELH | |
| D | 6 | Emils Skeltins | Amarillo Wranglers | NAHL | |
| D | 10 | Harijs Cjunskis | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | QMJHL | |
| D | 15 | Darels Uļjanskis | AIK IF | HA | Anaheim Ducks |
| D | 16 | Pēteris Bulāns | Chicoutimi Sagueneens | QMJHL | |
| D | 25 | Krists Retenais | Aberdeen Wings | NAHL | |
| D | 26 | Oskars Briedis | HK Zemgale/LBTU | LAT | |
| F | 7 | Davids Livšics | RoKi | Mestis | |
| F | 9 | Ēriks Mateiko | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | Washington Capitals |
| F | 11 | Dmitrijs Diļevka | Watertown Shamrocks | USPHL | |
| F | 12 | Toms Mots | HK Zemgale/LBTU | LAT | |
| F | 13 | Martins Klaucāns | St. Cloud Norsemen | NAHL | |
| F | 14 | Olivers Mūrnieks | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | |
| F | 17 | Rūdolfs Bērzkalns | Muskegon Lumberjacks | USHL | |
| F | 18 | Roberts Naudiņš | Shattuck-St. Mary's | UMHSEHL | |
| F | 19 | Bruno Osmanis | IF Björklöven | HA | |
| F | 21 | Rauls Ozollapa | HC ZUBR Přerov | Maxa Liga | |
| F | 22 | Valdis Dommers | Mountfield HK | ELH | |
| F | 23 | Antons Macijevskis | Watertown Shamrocks | NAHL | |
| F | 24 | Daniels Serkins | SC Bern Future | SUI | |
| F | 27 | Markuss Sieradzkis | IF Björklöven | HA |
Group B
Czechia
| Pos. | No. | Player | Club Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Jan Kavan | LHK Jestřábi Prostějov | Maxa Liga | |
| G | 2 | Jakub Milota | Cape Breton Eagles | QMJHL | Nashville Predators |
| G | 30 | Michael Hrabal | University of Massachusetts Amherst | HE | Utah Hockey Club |
| D | 3 | Vojtěch Port | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | Anaheim Ducks |
| D | 4 | Marek Ročák | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | |
| D | 5 | Adam Jiříček | Brantford Bulldogs | OHL | St. Louis Blues |
| D | 6 | Jakub Dvořák | Ontario Reign | AHL | Los Angeles Kings |
| D | 7 | Jakub Fibigr | Brampton Steelheads | OHL | Seattle Kraken |
| D | 8 | Patrik Volas | HC Oceláři Třinec | ELH | |
| D | 9 | Vojtěch Husinecký | Piráti Chomutov | Maxa Liga | |
| D | 23 | Tomáš Galvas | Bílí Tygři Liberec | ELH | |
| D | 26 | Matteo Kočí | Kamloops Blazers | WHL | |
| F | 10 | Adam Jecho | Edmonton Oil Kings | WHL | St. Louis Blues |
| F | 11 | Pavel Šimek | Rimouski Océanic | QMJHL | |
| F | 12 | Eduard Šalé | Coachella Valley Firebirds | AHL | Seattle Kraken |
| F | 14 | Adam Židlický | Brampton Steelheads | OHL | |
| F | 15 | Vojtěch Čihař | HC Energie Karlovy Vary | ELH | |
| F | 16 | Richard Žemlička | SaiPa | Liiga | |
| F | 17 | Petr Sikora | HC Oceláři Třinec | ELH | Washington Capitals |
| F | 18 | Matěj Maštalířský | HC Litvínov | ELH | |
| F | 19 | Ondřej Kos | Ilves | Liiga | St. Louis Blues |
| F | 20 | Dominik Petr | Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | |
| F | 21 | Jakub Štancl | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | St. Louis Blues |
| F | 22 | Vojtěch Hradec | BK Mladá Boleslav | ELH | Utah Hockey Club |
| F | 24 | Adam Novotný | Mountfield HK | ELH | |
| F | 25 | Jiří Felcman | SCL Tigers | NL | Chicago Blackhawks |
| F | 28 | Miroslav Holinka | Edmonton Oil Kings | WHL | Toronto Maple Leafs |
Kazakhstan
| Pos. | No. | Player | Club Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 20 | Danil Lytkin | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| G | 55 | Vladimir Nikitin | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | Ottawa Senators |
| G | 72 | Jokhar Dudarkiyev | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| D | 4 | Roman Boľshedvorsky | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| D | 6 | Mstislav Shipilin | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| D | 8 | Sanzhar Ibragim | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| D | 9 | Danial Shakshakbayev | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| D | 17 | Aslan Zhusupbekov | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| D | 18 | Gleb Resheťko | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| D | 19 | Beibarys Orazov | Barys Astana | KHL | |
| D | 48 | Danila Belyakov | Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk | KHC | |
| F | 10 | Abzal Alibek | Philadelphia Rebels | NAHL | |
| F | 11 | Asanali Sarkenov | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | |
| F | 13 | Vladimir Korchagin | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| F | 15 | Artur Gross | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| F | 26 | Alexander Kim | Bismarck Bobcats | NAHL | |
| F | 29 | Kirill Lyapunov | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| F | 39 | Davlat Nurkenov | HC Ässät Pori | Liiga | |
| F | 57 | Adil Beisembayev | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| F | 66 | Yegor Levkovets | Nomad Astana | KHC | |
| F | 70 | Semyon Simonov | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| F | 77 | Asanali Ruslanuly | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| F | 78 | Alexander Migunov | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| F | 88 | Kirill Kankin | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL | |
| F | 98 | Nikita Sitnikov | Snezhnye Barsy Astana | MHL |
Slovakia
| Pos. | No. | Player | Club Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Alan Lenďák | Fargo Force | USHL | |
| G | 30 | Samuel Urban | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | |
| D | 4 | Maxim Štrbák | Michigan State University | B1G | Buffalo Sabres |
| D | 5 | Richard Baran | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | |
| D | 6 | Jakub Chromiak | Kitchener Rangers | OHL | |
| D | 20 | Peter Valent | Quebec Remparts | QMJHL | |
| D | 23 | Samuel Barcik | HK Spišská Nová Ves | Slovak Extraliga | |
| D | 26 | Luka Radivojevič | Muskegon Lumberjacks | USHL | |
| D | 28 | Tomáš Královič | HC Slovan Bratislava | Slovak Extraliga | |
| F | 8 | Matúš Vojtech | HK 32 Liptovský Mikuláš | Slovak Extraliga | |
| F | 10 | Tomáš Poběžal | HK Nitra | Slovak Extraliga | |
| F | 11 | Lukáš Klečka | Södertälje SK | HockeyAllsvenskan | |
| F | 12 | Peter Císar | Fargo Force | USHL | |
| F | 13 | Tobias Tomík | HK Dukla Trenčín | Slovak Extraliga | |
| F | 14 | Miroslav Šatan Jr. | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | Washington Capitals |
| F | 15 | Dalibor Dvorský | Springfield Thunderbirds | AHL | St. Louis Blues |
| F | 16 | Roman Kukumberg | HC Slovan Bratislava | Slovak Extraliga | |
| F | 17 | Daniel Jenčko | University of Massachusetts Amherst | HE | |
| F | 18 | Juraj Pekarčík | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | St. Louis Blues |
| F | 22 | František Dej | HK Dukla Trenčín | Slovak Extraliga | |
| F | 24 | Adam Cedzo | HC Frýdek-Místek | Maxa Liga | |
| F | 25 | Ján Chovan | Tappara | Liiga |
Sweden
| Pos. | No. | Player | Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Marcus Gidlöf | Leksands IF | SHL | New York Islanders |
| G | 30 | Melvin Strahl | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| G | 35 | Melker Thelin | IF Björklöven | HA | Utah Hockey Club |
| D | 2 | Rasmus Bergqvist | Skellefteå AIK | SHL | Montreal Canadiens |
| D | 4 | Axel Sandin-Pellikka | Skellefteå AIK | SHL | Detroit Red Wings |
| D | 5 | Wilhelm Hallquisth | HV71 | SHL | |
| D | 6 | Axel Hurtig | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | Calgary Flames |
| D | 7 | Viggo Gustafsson | Timrå IK | SHL | Nashville Predators |
| D | 9 | Theo Lindstein | Brynäs IF | SHL | St. Louis Blues |
| D | 24 | Tom Willander | Boston University | HE | Vancouver Canucks |
| F | 11 | Zeb Forsfjäll | Skellefteå AIK | SHL | Seattle Kraken |
| F | 12 | Isac Hedqvist | Luleå HF | SHL | |
| F | 14 | Linus Eriksson | Djurgårdens IF | HA | Florida Panthers |
| F | 15 | David Edstrom | Frölunda HC | SHL | Nashville Predators |
| F | 16 | Felix Unger Sörum | Chicago Wolves | AHL | Carolina Hurricanes |
| F | 17 | Felix Nilsson | Rögle BK | SHL | Nashville Predators |
| F | 18 | Victor Eklund | Djurgårdens IF | HA | |
| F | 20 | Dennis Altörn | Leksands IF | SHL | |
| F | 21 | Herman Träff | HV71 | SHL | New Jersey Devils |
| F | 22 | Anton Wahlberg | Rochester Americans | AHL | Buffalo Sabres |
| F | 25 | Otto Stenberg | Malmö Redhawks | SHL | St. Louis Blues |
| F | 27 | David Granberg | Luleå HF | SHL | |
| F | 28 | Oskar Vuollet | Skellefteå AIK | SHL | Carolina Hurricanes |
Switzerland
| Pos. | No. | Player | Club Team | League | NHL Rights |
| G | 1 | Christian Kirsch | Janesville Jets | NAHL | San Jose Sharks |
| G | 29 | Ewan Huet | Regina Pats | WHL | |
| G | 30 | Elijah Neuenschwander | Fribourg-Gottéron | NL | |
| D | 7 | Timo Bünzli | ZSC Lions | NL | |
| D | 9 | Nic Balestra | EV Zug | NL | |
| D | 14 | Nils Rhyn | EHC Basel | SL | |
| D | 16 | Aris Häfliger | GDT Bellinzona Snakes | SL | |
| D | 21 | Ludvig Johnson | EV Zug | NL | |
| D | 23 | Leon Muggli | EV Zug | NL | Washington Capitals |
| D | 25 | Basile Sansonnens | Rimouski Océanic | QMJHL | Vancouver Canucks |
| D | 26 | Eric Schneller | Genève-Servette HC | NL | |
| D | 28 | Daniil Ustinkov | GCK Lions | SL | |
| F | 3 | Jonah Neuenschwander | EHC Biel-Bienne | NL | |
| F | 5 | Leo Braillard | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | |
| F | 6 | Jamiro Reber | HV71 | SHL | |
| F | 8 | Rico Gredig | HC Davos | NL | New York Rangers |
| F | 10 | Jan Dorthe | HC Fribourg-Gottéron | NL | |
| F | 11 | Rafael Meier | EHC Kloten | NL | |
| F | 12 | Kimo Gruber | GCK Lions | SL | |
| F | 15 | Lars Steiner | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies | QMJHL | |
| F | 17 | Loris Wey | EV Zug | NL | |
| F | 18 | Robin Nico Antenen | EV Zug | NL | |
| F | 19 | Endo Meier | GCK Lions | SL | |
| F | 22 | Andro Kaderli | Leksands IF | SHL | |
| F | 24 | Alain Graf | SC Bern | NL | |
| F | 27 | Simon Meier | Penticton Vees | BCHL |
Related: Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Goaltender Winner
FAQs on IIHF World Junior Championship
A. The tournament features two groups. Group A at the Canadian Tire Centre includes the United States, Finland, Canada, Latvia, and Germany. Group B at TD Place Arena includes Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and promoted Kazakhstan
A. Düsseldorf and Mannheim, Germany, will host the 2027 IIHF World Championship.
A. Canada won the 20 titles of the World Juniors.
A. Ottawa, Canada is hosting the 2025 WJC.
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