World Junior Championship full schedule, game timings, TV channels, and live streaming details as the tournament returns to Minnesota.

In November, five "Hockey Mom of the Year" finalists were chosen and one was crowned at a ceremony at Mall of America. She is Jacqueline Nowakowski of Lino Lakes, mom to 5-year-old Jake, 8-year-old Owen and 11-year Centennial peewee Leo.

Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and Max Bultman form an expert prospect panel to analyze our staff's picks ahead of this year's tournament.

Canada will return to the top of the junior hockey field at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota, according to three NHL.com writers. NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman, NHL.com senior draft writer Mike G. Morreale and LNH.com senior writer Guillaume Lepage predict Canada will win gold for the first time since 2023.

Players and coaches alike were flowing in and out of the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront hotel on Thursday, making final preparations ahead of the 2026 World Junior Championship. The tournament begins on Friday.