MONCTON, N.B. & HALIFAX, N.S. – Hockey Canada and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) have released the schedule for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, which is set to take place Dec. 26, 2022-Jan. 5, 2023 in Moncton and Halifax.

Last month, it was announced that Scotiabank Centre in Halifax will host Group A, featuring Canada, Sweden, Czechia, Germany and Austria. Avenir Centre in Moncton will see the United States, Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia and Latvia compete in Group B.

“The 2023 World Juniors will be an unforgettable celebration of hockey across the Maritimes, and we cannot wait to drop the puck on Boxing Day,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties with Hockey Canada. “From the opening-day matchups to the rivalry games on New Year’s Eve, this year’s schedule is extremely competitive and will showcase the best under-20 hockey players in the world in a return to the tournament’s traditional holiday format.”

After winning a silver medal at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, Finland will open the 2023 event against Switzerland in Moncton at 11 a.m. ET/12 p.m. AT on Dec. 26, the first of 20 preliminary-round games split between the two host cities.

Canada will begin its defence of its gold medal against Czechia on Boxing Day in Halifax at 6:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. AT, in a rematch of the World Juniors semifinal from last month.

The United States will face Finland on Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. ET/5 p.m. AT in the only preliminary-round matchup between two of the three teams that have won gold at the World Juniors since 2013.

Canada and Sweden will play each other on New Year’s Eve for the first time since the 2016 tournament, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. AT.

All 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship games will be broadcast on TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada.

“Halifax and Moncton are great hockey cities that are both excited to enthusiastically welcome the ten participating teams this year,” said Mike Savage, mayor of Halifax. “We know that fans and volunteers will eagerly add the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship to their holiday calendars.”

“We are thrilled to proudly welcome the world and create an unforgettable hockey experience on and off the ice in both host cities,” said Dawn Arnold, mayor of Moncton. “One thing is certain: Moncton and Halifax’s strong history of hosting world-class sporting events and maritime hospitality will be at its best.”

Canada will host its selection camp, which includes games against the U SPORTS All-Stars, in Moncton in mid-December. The pre-tournament schedule will be announced in the coming weeks, with communities throughout southern New Brunswick and central Nova Scotia set to host games.

Nearly 50,000 fans entered the 2023 World Juniors Priority Draw. Should any inventory remain, tickets will go on sale to the public later in September.

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