Four Montreal Canadiens players will compete in the 2024 World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Keep track of Owen Beck (Canada), Jacob Fowler (USA), Lane Hutson (USA), and Filip Mesar (Slovakia) with this handy guide.
Team Canada’s Timetable Team Canada, like every other country in the event, will play four games prior to the medal rounds in the 2024 World Junior Championship.
They are in Group A, along with Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Latvia.
Finland takes on Canada on Tuesday, December 26. (8:30 a.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. local)
Wednesday, December 27 (1:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. local time): Canada vs. Latvia
Saturday, December 30 (1:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. local time): Canada vs. Sweden
Sunday, December 31st (1:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. local time): Canada vs. Germany
Owen Beck is expected to anchor the fourth line, but don’t be surprised if he gets far more ice time than a fourth-line center should.
Because of his exceptional faceoff proficiency, the smart forward will be deployed on the penalty kill, when the score is on the line, and when Team Canada absolutely needs a faceoff win. Beck is Team Canada’s only returning member, and as such, he will serve as a mentor to the team’s younger members. His adaptability will be needed throughout the competition as Canada looks to win its third gold medal in a row.
Team USA’s Timetable Team USA will compete in Group B at the 2024 World Junior Championship, against Slovakia, Czechia, Switzerland, and Norway.
Tuesday, December 26: The United States takes against Norway (11 a.m. ET, 5:00 p.m. local time).
Thursday, December 28 (11 a.m. ET, 5:00 p.m. local time): USA vs. Switzerland
Friday, December 29: United States against. Czech Republic (11 a.m. ET, 5 p.m. local time).
Sunday, December 31st (12 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. local time): USA vs. Slovakia
Both Jacob Fowler and Lane Hutson should play important roles for the Americans, but it remains to be seen if Fowler will be named Team USA’s starter. Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) is the favorite to start and has more experience, having started six games at the 2023 World Junior Championship, but if Fowler’s history is any indication, his predilection for spectacular goaltending on the biggest stages.
Hutson, on the other hand, is off to a tremendous start. He scored two points in each pre-tournament game despite not being the only player in the roster leading the play. This should allow Hutson to concentrate on important plays, potentially leading to a big increase in points. Hutson can already score points with his eyes closed, but now that he has a good supporting cast, the sky is the limit.
A tournament MVP nomination for the Montreal Canadiens prospect is also a possibility.
Team Slovakia’s Timetable Team Slovakia will compete in Group B at the 2024 World Junior Championship, alongside the United States, Czechia, Norway, and Switzerland.
Tuesday, December 26 (6:00 a.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. local time): Slovakia vs. Czechia
Wednesday, December 27 (6 a.m. ET, 12 p.m. local time): Slovakia vs. Switzerland
Slovakia vs. Norway (6 a.m. ET, 12 p.m. local time) on Friday, December 29
Sunday, December 31: Slovakia vs. the United States (6 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. local time).
Filip Mesar, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, will serve as Slovakia’s alternate captain as they aim to improve on their results from the 2023 tournament. Slovakia finished the preliminary round with two victories, one loss, and one overtime loss, putting them in the quarterfinals of the medal rounds against Team Canada. Slovakia pushed Canada to their breaking point, requiring them to score in overtime to claim a 4-3 victory. Mesar will be an important player for the Slovaks, serving as a significant source of offense throughout the competition.
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