Team USA, the tournament's defending champion, defeated upstart Latvia 5-1 on Saturday in the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa, Ontario, allowing the Americans to improve to 2-0 in Group A play.

Caden Price (Montreal Canadiens) is a “Swiss Army knife” defender who can move the puck well, help set up plays and be a strong defensive stopper. Andrew Gibson (Nashville Predators), who at 6-foot-4, can easily manipulate opponents with his deceptive playmaking while using his strong frame to keep opponents off the puck while he looks for a play.

The world junior hockey championship has produced memorable moments and breathtaking performances. This year's tournament in Ottawa should offer the same level of entertainment as the next generation of stars skate into the showcase event's spotlight.

Installed by ESPN BET as a +4000 money line choice to win the game, Latvia authored a stunning 3-2 upset victory over host Canada on Friday night at the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa, Ontario,

The tournament is a showcase for the best male hockey players in the world under 20 years of age. The 2025 World Juniors are being held in Ottawa, Ontario starting Dec. 26, 2024. Team USA is the defending champion. The 2026 edition will be the 50th anniversary of the prestigious tournament.

The Canadian Press takes a look at some of the players to watch in the nation’s capital when the annual under-20 event gets going Thursday

Latvia defeated Canada at the World Junior Championship yesterday in a stunning turn of events. Canada didn't get blown out of the water, but the team they lost to makes it feel like they were. Matthew Schaefer had been injured after playing just 2:08.

Eriks Mateiko scored the only goal of the shootout as Latvia stunned an alarmingly uninspired Canada 3-2 at the world junior hockey championship Friday. The forward moved in on his country's eighth effort before firing home a goal to register one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.