COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The NHL Network will provide exclusive live broadcasts of all U.S. games at the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship and up to 25 games total. The tournament is set for Dec. 26 – Jan. 5 in Helsinki, Finland.
NHL Live co-host Steve Mears, longtime NCAA hockey analyst Dave Starman and veteran reporter Jill Savage will provide commentary for every Team USA game, starting with its tournament-opening contest against Canada on Saturday, December 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
The tournament’s popularity stems from its reputation as a showcase for the game’s best up-and-coming young players from around the world. Three current American-born NHL rookies, including Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres), Noah Hanifin (Carolina Hurricanes) and Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), played for Team USA in the tournament last year. Additionally, many current American-born NHL stars have played in the tournament, including Seth Jones (2013/Nashville Predators), Patrick Kane (2007/Chicago Blackhawks), Zach Parise (2003-04/Minnesota Wild) and Ryan Suter (2003-05/Minnesota Wild).
The full NHL Network broadcast schedule for the preliminary round is below:
NHL Network Broadcast Schedule
2016 IIHF World Junior Championship Preliminary Round
Date Game Time (ET)
Saturday, Dec. 26 Czech Republic vs. Russia 7:00 a.m.
Switzerland vs. Sweden 9:30 a.m.
United States vs. Canada 1:00 p.m.
Finland vs. Belarus 3:30 p.m*
Sunday, Dec. 27 Belarus vs. Slovakia 9:00 a.m.
Denmark vs. Switzerland 1:00 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 28 Sweden vs. United States 9:00 a.m.
Canada vs. Denmark 1:00 p.m.
Slovakia vs. Czech Republic 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday, Dec. 29 Belarus vs. Russia 9:00 a.m.
Switzerland vs. Canada 1:00 p.m.
Czech Republic vs. Belarus 7:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 30 Sweden vs. Denmark 9:30 a.m.
United States vs. Switzerland 1:00 p.m.
Slovakia vs. Finland 4:30 p.m.*
Thursday, Dec. 31 Denmark vs. United States 9:00 a.m.
Canada vs. Sweden 3:30 p.m.*
*Game aired on tape delay
On-air schedule for Quarterfinal, Semifinal, Bronze and Gold Medal Games from Jan. 2-5 is TBD
Notes: For complete coverage of Team USA during the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, click here … Team USA’s pre-tournament training camp will be staged in two phases: Dec. 14-18 in Boston and Dec. 19-23 in Vierumaki, Finland. The U.S. will play two exhibition games in preparation for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship — at the University of Massachusetts on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET and vs. Finland in Vierumaki on Dec. 22 at 12 p.m. ET … The final U.S. National Junior Team roster is expected to be announced on Dec. 24 … Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates throughout the tournament.
