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2026 IIHF World Junior Championships Futures, Top Betting Picks & More
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The 50th edition of the IIHF World Junior Championships are scheduled to start Friday, December 26 through Monday, January 5, 2026 in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. It's the first time the United States has hosted the event since 2018 in Buffalo, and it is the seventh time the event has been held in the USA. The Twin Cities hosted the event in 1982, and they witnessed a Canada victory, so is that a sign? Team USA has never actually won a gold medal as the host nation.
The two-time defending champion United States from 2024 and 2025 is the host nation, but Canada enters this year's installment as the favorites. It could be a two-horse race, with Sweden as a distant third in the outright odds.
Outright championship odds - courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
- Canada (+105)
- USA (+200)
- Sweden (+460)
- Czechia (+1600)
- Finland (+1900)
- Switzerland (+10000)
- Slovakia (+10000)
- Denmark (+25000)
- Germany (+25000)
- Latvia (+25000)
The odds aren't particularly surprising, as either Canada or the USA have taken the biggest prize home in every tournament since 2019 when Finland earned gold on a stacked team littered with future NHLers.
Let's get started with this season's championship picks and player specials.
Canada (+105) Championship Preview, Top Players and Betting Odds
Canada heads up Group B in the pod which will play in Minneapolis. They're in a group with Czechia, Denmark, Finland and Latvia.
Coach Dale Hunter leads a star-studded group, as you would expect. San Jose Sharks prospect Michael Misa is expected to lead the top scoring line, while Penn State's Gavin McKenna and Michigan State's Porter Martone should comprise a powerful offensive group.
Misa, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, got to cut his teeth with the Sharks in the NHL from Oct. 14 through Nov. 1, posting a goal and three points across seven games. McKenna is projected to be the top overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. He had a goal in five games playing in the 2025 tournament.
Heading into the 2026 NHL Draft, Carson Carels of Prince George (WHL), Keaton Verhoeff (University of North Dakota) and McKenna are players to watch.
Other players to watch include Harrison Brunicke (Penguins), Braeden Cootes (Canucks), Jett Luchanko (Flyers), Brady Martin (Predators) and Zayne Parekh (Flames).
After a stunning loss in the quarters last tournament, Canada would love to spoil Team USA's time as hosts, intensifying this rivalry even further.
USA (+200) Team Strengths, Players to Watch and Title Chances
The United States heads up Group A, and it will be in the same group with Germany, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.
Team USA is a nice value for the chance to double up. They're coming in as the two-time defending champions after pounding Sweden 6-2 in the gold-medal game in 2024, and 4-3 in overtime over upstart Finland in the 2025 title match. The Americans are looking to become the first nation since (surprise!) Canada to win three tournaments in a row. The Canadians actually won five titles in a row from 2005-09.
The biggest studs for the stars and stripes will be Cole Eiserman and James Hagens. Eiserman is part of the New York Islanders' organization, picked No. 20 in the 2024 draft. He is enrolled at Boston University, leading them with eight goals through 18 games, while posting four assists. Hagens is at Boston College, which is near his future home, as he was picked No. 7 overall by the Boston Bruins in 2025. He has a team-leading 10 goals for B.C. with 18 points through 16 games.
Other players to watch include Henry Brzustewicz (Kings), EJ Emery (Rangers), Logan Hensler (Senators), Will Horcoff (Penguins) and Ryker Lee (Predators).
Team USA is the dice roll play for the chance to double up, but Canada is the favorite for a reason. It is just a little deeper.
Don't make any bets on your favorite sports betting apps without first consulting the latest NHL odds.
Gavin McKenna and Cole Eiserman Tournament Props and Analysis
Gavin McKenna Tournament Total - Over 10.5 Points (-120)
McKenna looks to join the likes of Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and more as a No. 1 overall pick. He is starring at Penn State right now, and he looks to give most casual hockey fans a first-hand look at the future.
Let's have a little fun, and we'll play the chalkiest of chalk players to get to 11 points for this tournament. He should be able to pile up the points in group games against Czechia, Denmark, Finland and Latvia.
Cole Eiserman Tournament Total - Over 7.5 Points (-113)
If you can't bring yourself to back a Canadian player, and you want to cheer for Team USA, then look to Eiserman to get to at least eight points. He has been skating with plenty of confidence for BU.
Like McKenna, Eiserman should be able to get most, if not all, of his points in games against some overwhelmed opponents in the group play round.
