The U.S. has reached the world junior semifinals in seven of the past nine years and is aiming to return to the gold medal game for the first time since 2021, when it won the top prize at the tournament in Edmonton, Alberta.
Team USA was the only team to win all five games in the tournament and is scheduled to defeat Latvia 7-2 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday (January 2). Finland started with losses in the first two games, but won the last three, including a 4-3 victory over Slovakia in overtime in the quarterfinals.
The 2024 World Juniors will conclude tomorrow with the bronze medal match at 3:00 pm local/9:00 am ET, followed by the gold medal match at 7:30 pm local/1:30 pm ET. Both games will be broadcast live by NHL Network.
What you need to know
- The United States and Finland have played against each other 37 times in the world juniors. Each team has won 18 times and one tie. The United States faced Finland twice in the semifinals of the tournament, winning both times by goal difference (and winning the gold medal both years).
- Team USA is the top offensive team in the tournament, averaging 7.20 goals per game and 40.60 shots on goal.
- Cutter Gauthier is the World Juniors’ leading point getter with 1 win and 10-11 points, while Gavin Brindley leads the tournament with six goals. Gauthier leads the league in assists with 10, Will Smith leads the conference in faceoff percentage with .672 (41-61), and Ze’ev Bouium ranks No. 1 in plus/minus rating with +10.
- The United States won its first world junior gold medal 20 years ago in 2004. Matt Karl, the younger brother of U.S. head coach David Karl, was also part of that team.
- USA Hockey is hosting the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship and will work with the IIHF to hold a press conference tomorrow in Gothenburg ahead of the bronze medal game to announce the venue.
coming soon
Team USA fans, we would like to inform you that the United States U-18 Women’s National Team is preparing for the 2024 IIHF U-18 Women’s World Championship in Zug, Switzerland. Team USA begins play against Slovakia on Sunday (January 7). The opener is set for 6 a.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast live on NHL Network. Click here to follow us.