Canadiens Prospects At World Juniors Schedule And Expectations

Four members of the Montreal Canadiens organization are taking part in the 2024 World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Here’s a handy guide so you can keep track of Owen Beck (Canada), Jacob Fowler (USA), Lane Hutson (USA), and Filip Mesar (Slovakia).

Team Canada Schedule At The 2024 World Junior Championship

Like every other country in the tournament, team Canada will play four games prior to the medal rounds.

They are part of Group A, which also features Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Latvia.

• Tuesday, December 26: Finland vs. Canada. (8:30 am ET, 2:30 pm local time)
• Wednesday, December 27: Canada vs. Latvia (1:30 pm ET, 7:30 pm local time)
• Saturday, December 30: Canada vs. Sweden (1:30 pm ET, 7:30 pm local time)
• Sunday, December 31: Canada vs. Germany (1:30 pm ET, 7:30 pm local time)

Owen Beck is expected to anchor the fourth line, though don’t be surprised if he receives much more ice time than expected for a fourth-line centre.

The cerebral forward will be used on the penalty kill, when the score is on the line, and when Team Canada desperately needs a faceoff win, owing to his fantastic faceoff proficiency. Beck is the only returning member of Team Canada, and as such will act as a mentor for all the younger players in the lineup. His versatility will be counted upon throughout the tournament as Canada attempts to win its third consecutive gold medal.

Team USA Schedule At The 2024 World Junior Championship

Team USA will play in Group B alongside Slovakia, Czechia, Switzerland, and Norway.

• Tuesday, December 26: USA vs. Norway (11 am ET, 5:00 pm local time)
• Thursday, December 28: USA vs. Switzerland (11 am ET, 5:00 pm local time)
• Friday, December 29: USA vs. Czechia (11 am ET, 5 pm local time)
• Sunday, December 31: USA vs Slovakia (12 pm ET, 6 pm local time)

Both Jacob Fowler and Lane Hutson should play a crucial role for the Americans, however, it remains to be seen if Fowler will emerge as Team USA’s starter. Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) is considered the favourite to start and has more experience given he started six games at the 2023 World Junior Championship, but if Fowler’s history is any indication, his penchant for dominant goaltending on the biggest hockey stages.

As for Hutson, he’s already off to a great start. He had two points in each pre-tournament game without having to be the only player in the lineup that’s driving the play. That should allow Hutson to focus on the key plays, which could, in turn, lead to a significant uptick in points. We already know that Hutson can produce points with his eyes closed, but now that he has a strong supporting cast, the sky is the limit.

A nomination as the tournament MVP for the Montreal Canadiens prospect is not out of the question, either.

Lane Hutson SEASON!

He steals the puck from fellow Habs prospect Owen Beck to win the game for Team USA. #WolrdJuniors #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/nDPt0srCdm

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 23, 2023

Team Slovkia Schedule At The 2024 World Junior Championship

Team Slovakia will place in Group B with the USA, Czechia, Norway, and Switzerland.

• Tuesday, December 26: Slovakia vs. Czechia (6 am ET, 12 pm local time)
• Wednesday, December 27, Slovakia vs. Switzerland (6 am ET, 12 pm local time)
• Friday, December 29, Slovakia vs. Norway (6 am ET, 12 pm local time)
• Sunday, December 31: Slovakia vs. USA (6 pm ET, 12 pm local time)

Montreal Canadiens prospect Filip Mesar will serve as the alternate captain for Slovakia, as they attempt to improve their results from the 2023 tournament. Slovakia finished the preliminary round with two wins, one loss, and one overtime loss, which meant that they had to face Team Canada in the quarterfinal of the medal rounds. Slovakia pushed Canada to the limit, forcing them to score in overtime to secure a 4-3 win. Mesar will be a key player for the Slovaks and will be counted upon as a primary source of offence throughout the tournament.

#GoHabsGo prospect Filip Mešár drives the net and scores Slovakia's third goal of the game.

At least I'm 99% certain that's him. Angle isn't great and we have no replays. pic.twitter.com/WovSA2CKlC

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 22, 2023

2024 World Junior Championship Medal Rounds

• Tuesday, January 2: Quarter-Final Games
• Thursday, January 4: Semi-Final Games
• Friday, January 5: Silver Medal Game (9 am ET, 3 pm local time)
• Friday, January 5: Gold Medal Game  (1:30 pm ET, 7:30 local time)

To see a complete schedule of all the games at the 2024 World Junior Championship you can click here.