What Happened
Organizers finalized the pre-tournament schedule for the upcoming world junior hockey championship, featuring 12 exhibition matches across six Alberta communities from Dec. 17 to Dec. 23. Cold Lake, Blackfalds, Red Deer, Camrose, Lloydminster, and Edmonton are slated to host the contests. Team Canada begins its exhibition schedule at Red Deer's Marchant Crane Centrium against Finland on Dec. 18, followed by a game against Sweden at the same venue on Dec. 20. The Canadian squad completes its pre-tournament preparations facing Sweden at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Dec. 22. The official tournament runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, 2027, with Edmonton and Red Deer serving as tournament hosts.
Key Details
- Exhibition games run from Dec. 17 to Dec. 23 across six Alberta towns.
- Team Canada plays Finland on Dec. 18 in Red Deer.
- Canada faces Sweden in Red Deer on Dec. 20 and in Edmonton on Dec. 22.
- The main tournament takes place from Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 5, 2027.
What's Next
The exhibition games will lead directly into the tournament opening on Dec. 26.