The next generation of hockey's best and brightest is set to take center stage at the 2021 U18 Men's World Championship.
Last year, the 22nd edition of the event was scheduled to take place in April in Plymouth and Ann Arbor, Mich., but was canceled in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the United States is set to host again, with 10 teams traveling to Texas. Team rosters are jam-packed with players whose names could be called in July at the NHL Draft, including top-10 prospects Brandt Clarke and Dylan Guenther from Canada and USA Hockey's Chaz Lucius, who could go in the top 20.
This will also be a chance for fans to see projected 2022 No. 1 pick Shane Wright and 2023 top prospect Connor Bedard.
The U18 tournament is expected to be filled with big goals, big saves and even bigger wins. With national pride on the line, the battle for gold will be fierce. Here's all you need to know about the tournament.
Where is the 2021 U18 Men's World Championship?
The 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship will be held in Frisco and Plano, Texas, at the Comerica Center and Children's Health StarCenter, respectively.
We're excited to host the 2021 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship in Frisco and Plano from April 26-May 6!
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 11, 2021
The 10-nation tournament will be played in the U.S. for just the third time. https://t.co/PPiIpQ8Ks2
This year marks the third time the United States will host U18s. In 2009, the U.S won when the tournament was held in Fargo and Moorhead, N.D. The U.S. also hosted in 2016, also in North Dakota (Fargo); Finland won gold and the United States won bronze that year.
When is the 2021 U18 Men's World Championship?
- Dates: April 26 to May 6
The group stage, with two groups of five teams, will span the first six days of the competition and will end May 1. The eight surviving teams will have May 2 off before returning to action for the quarterfinals the following day. The winners of those games will advance to the semifinals two days later. The bronze-medal and gold-medal games will take place on Thurs., May 6.
MORE: 10 NHL draft-eligibles to watch at the tournament
What channel is the 2021 U18 Men's World Championship being aired on?
- TV channel (U.S.): NHL Network
- Live stream (U.S.): HockeyTV.com
- TV channel (Canada): TSN
- Live stream (Canada): TSN Direct, HockeyTV.com
Every game of the tournament can be seen on HockeyTV.com. In the United States, games that will be shown on NHL Network (playoffs) will not be available to live stream. In Canada, TSN will air every Hockey Canada game and the playoffs, including two of four quarterfinals.
Which teams are in the 2021 U18 Men's World Championship?
Ten teams, divided into two groups of five, are participating.
| Group A | Group B |
| Sweden | Russia |
| Canada | United States |
| Belarus | Czech Republic |
| Latvia | Finland |
| Switzerland | Germany |
MORE: Rosters, NHL draft for every team
When is Canada vs. USA?
For now, this year's tournament will not see a Battle of North America. With the two countries in different groups, fingers and toes will have to be crossed that they'll square off in a do-or-die matchup.
Are fans allowed at the 2021 U18 Men's World Championship?
Limited tickets were released to the general public for games at Comerica Center in Frisco. Fans will not be permitted at the Children's Health StarCenter in Plano.
Comerica Center will host all Group B games (including U.S. games), two quarterfinal games, the semifinals and the medal games. Canada and Group A will skate at Children's Health StarCenter.
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2021 U18 Men's World Championship standings
GROUP A
| Team | Wins | Losses | OTL | Points |
| 1. Canada | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2. Sweden | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| 3. Belarus | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 4. Switzerland | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 5. Latvia | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
GROUP B
| Team | Wins | Losses | OTL | Points |
| 1. Finland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 2. Russia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 3. USA | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 4. Czech Republic | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 5. Germany | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Wins in regulation = 3 points
Overtime win = 2 points
Overtime loss = 1 point
Full schedule for the 2021 U18 Men's World Championship
Participating teams are each guaranteed four group-stage games. Teams that advance to the final day of competition (bronze-medal or gold-medal game) will play seven contests total.
(All times Eastern)
| MONDAY, APRIL 26 | ||
| Czech Republic 3, Germany 1 | 5 p.m. | |
| Belarus 1, Sweden 5 | 5 p.m. | |
| Russia 7, USA 6 (OT) | 9 p.m. | |
| Latvia 2, Switzerland 4 | 9 p.m. | |
| TUESDAY, APRIL 27 | ||
| Finland 4, Russia 3 (SO) | 5 p.m. | |
| Switzerland 1, Belarus 7 | 5 p.m. | |
| Germany 3, USA 5 | 9 p.m. | |
| Sweden 1, Canada 12 | 9 p.m. | TSN1 |
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 | ||
| Czech Republic 5, Finland 6 | 9 p.m. | |
| Canada 4, Latvia 2 | 9 p.m. | TSN1/5 |
| THURSDAY, APRIL 29 | ||
| Germany 1, Russia 6 | 5 p.m. | |
| Sweden 3, Switzerland 1 | 5 p.m. | |
| USA 2, Czech Republic 1 (SO) | 9 p.m. | |
| Belarus 6, Latvia 2 | 9 p.m. | |
| FRIDAY, APRIL 30 | ||
| Finland 10, Germany 0 | 9 p.m. | |
| Switzerland 0, Canada 7 | 9 p.m. | TSN5 |
| SATURDAY, MAY 1 | ||
| Russia 11, Czech Republic 1 | 5 p.m. | |
| Latvia 0, Sweden 7 | 5 p.m. | TSN2 |
| USA 5, Finland 4 (OT) | 9 p.m. | |
| Canada 5, Belarus 2 | 9 p.m. | TSN4 |
| MONDAY, MAY 3 | ||
| QF: Russia 3, Bulgaria 2 | 1:30 p.m. | |
| QF: Canada 6, Czech Republic 2 | 4 p.m. | TSN1/4 |
| QF: Finland 2, Switzerland 0 | 6:30 p.m. | |
| QF: Sweden 4, USA 2 | 9 p.m. | TSN1, NHL Network |
| WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 | ||
| SF: Canada 8, Sweden 1 | 5 p.m. | TSN1 |
| SF: Finland 5, Russia 6 | 9 p.m. | TSN1 |
| THURSDAY, MAY 6 | ||
| Bronze medal: Sweden 8, Finland 0 | 5 p.m. | TSN3 |
| Gold medal: Canada 5, Russia 3 | 9 p.m. | TSN3 |
Who won the 2020 U18 Men's World Championship?
The 2020 tournament was canceled because of COVID-19.
Sweden is the defending champion after beating Russia 4-3 in overtime in 2019. USA Hockey won the bronze, defeating Canada 5-2. A few notable names from that tournament: Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield and Spencer Knight from the U.S., and Alex Newhook and Dylan Cozens from Canada. Yaroslav Askarov was the best goaltender, Philip Broberg was the best defenseman and Caufield was the best forward.
Who has won the U18 Men's World Championship the last 10 years?
| Year | Winner | Host country |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | None | United States |
| 2019 | Sweden | Sweden |
| 2018 | Finland | Russia |
| 2017 | United States | Slovakia |
| 2016 | Finland | United States |
| 2015 | United States | Switzerland |
| 2014 | United States | Finland |
| 2013 | Canada | Russia |
| 2012 | United States | Czech Republic |
| 2011 | United States | Germany |
Which countries have won the most medals at the U18 Men's World Championship?
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| United States | 10 | 4 | 3 | 17 |
| Finland | 4 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| Russia | 3 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| Canada | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Sweden | 1 | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| Czech Republic | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Slovakia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Switzerland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |