SiriusXM to air Canadian + American 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships games
The Czech Republic is the setting this time around for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, which begins on Thursday, December 26th. And it gets underway with a bang, as the United States faces Canada at 1 pm Eastern on opening day.
Hockey fans look forward to this tournament every holiday season, as it features the best of the young hockey talent around the world, many of whom will be wearing NHL uniforms in the near future.
Last year, in Vancouver, the States lost 3-2 to Finland in the Gold Medal Game. Canada didn’t fare well on home soil, bowing out in overtime to the Finns in the Quarter-Final Game.
Canada last won this tournament in 2018, while the Americans most recently took home gold in 2017.
Are either of the North American teams’ favourites this time around? Canada hasn’t won gold in Europe since 2008, while the States last did so in 2013.
Our resident hockey prospects expert Shane Malloy says to keep your eye on the Americans, with their plethora of high scoring forwards, and blue-chip goaltender Spencer Knight (selected 13th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers).
Malloy also likes the Russians as a contender for the title.
Overall, since this tournament officially began in 1977, Canada leads the way with 17 gold medals. The Russians are next with 13. Finland has won it all 5 times, while the Americans have taken home gold on 4 occasions. For some reason, Sweden has only heard their anthem played twice (1981 and 2012), though they’ve been runner up on 11 occasions. The host Czechs have claimed gold twice, back-to-back in 2000 and 2001.
Notable players who have suited up for Canada in this tournament include Wayne Gretzky, Eric Lindros, Carey Price, Jonathan Toews, Joe Sakic, Roberto Luongo, Jordan Binnington, Chris Pronger, Wade Redden, Brad Marchand, P.K. Subban, John Tavares, Scott Niedermayer, Wendel Clark, Theo Fleury, Claude Giroux, Evander Kane, Steven Stamkos, Shea Weber, Patrice Bergeron, Jarome Iginla, and Sidney Crosby.
Notable players who have worn the American jersey include Jeremy Roenick, Mike Modano, Brian Gionta, Ryan Suter, Mike Richter, Phil Kessel, John Leclair, Rick DiPietro, Doug Weight, Brian Rolston, Scott Gomez, Zach Parise, Jacob Trouba, Tom Barrasso, James Van Riemsdyk, Brian Leetch, Colin White, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Poehling, Cayden Primeau, Erik Johnson, and Auston Matthews.
Whichever team emerges victorious in early January, rest assured you’ll be treated to top-notch hockey. This is arguably the premier non-NHL tournament on the hockey calendar, and it only gets better every year.
Once again, SiriusXM will air the Canadian and American, games, as well as the medal round games. The full schedule is listed below. Keep in mind, most of the broadcasts will feature a pre-game show that begins an hour before scheduled puck drop.
2020 IIHF WORLD JUNIORS SCHEDULE on SIRIUSXM
Thursday, December 26th
Canada vs. U.S.A. 1:00 pm Eastern
(SiriusXM 91 & 167)
Friday, December 27th
Germany vs. U.S.A. 1:00 pm Eastern
(SiriusXM 91)
Saturday, December 28th
Russia vs. Canada 1:00 pm Eastern
(SiriusXM 91 & 167)
Sunday, December 29th
U.S.A. vs. Russia 1:00 pm Eastern
(SiriusXM 167)
Monday, December 30th
Germany vs. Canada 9:00 am Eastern
(SiriusXM 91 & 167)
U.S.A. vs. Czech Republic 1:00 pm Eastern
(SiriusXM 91)
Tuesday, December 31st
Canada vs. Czech Republic 1:00 pm Eastern
(SiriusXM 167)
Thursday, January 2nd
Quarter-Final Game 9:00 am Eastern
Quarter-Final Game 2:00 pm Eastern
(both games on SiriusXM 91 & 167)
Saturday, January 4th
Semi-Final Game 9:00 am Eastern
Semi-Final Game 1:00 pm Eastern
(both games on SiriusXM 167)
Sunday, January 5th
Gold Medal Game 1:00 pm Eastern
(SiriusXM 167)
Bronze Medal Game 9:00 am Eastern
(SiriusXM 167 – only if Canada is playing)
