How to watch the U18 World Championships
Plus more information you might want to know
The annual U18 World Championships are here! This year is the 11th iteration of the tournament.
The eight-country, week-long tournament is being played in Obihiro, Japan, a city on the northern island of Hokkaido. Like the senior Worlds, the countries are split into two groups. USA, Canada, Russia, and Sweden are in Group A, while Finland, Switzerland, Japan, and Czech Republic are in Group B.
Schedule
The preliminary round starts with round robin, with every team playing every other team in its group.
All four teams of Group A advance, with the top two receiving a bye straight to the semifinals. The top two teams of Group B face the bottom two teams of Group A in the quarterfinals.
The bottom two teams of Group B play a best of three relegation series. The loser drops to Division I Group A next year.
2019 U18 Worlds Schedule
| Date in Japan | Time in Japan | Time in EST | Team | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 6 | 13:00 | 23:00 | Sweden | Canada |
| Jan. 6 | 14:30 | 0:30 | Finland | Japan |
| Jan. 6 | 17:00 | 3:00 | USA | Russia |
| Jan. 6 | 18:30 | 4:30 | Czech Republic | Switzerland |
| Jan. 7 | 13:00 | 23:00 | Sweden | Russia |
| Jan. 7 | 14:30 | 0:30 | Czech Republic | Japan |
| Jan. 7 | 17:00 | 3:00 | Canada | USA |
| Jan. 7 | 18:30 | 4:30 | Switzerland | Finland |
| Jan. 9 | 13:00 | 23:00 | Russia | Canada |
| Jan. 9 | 14:30 | 0:30 | Japan | Switzerland |
| Jan. 9 | 17:00 | 3:00 | USA | Sweden |
| Jan. 9 | 18:30 | 4:30 | Finland | Czech Republic |
| Jan. 10 | 14:30 | 0:30 | Quarterfinal: 4A | 1B |
| Jan. 10 | 14:30 | 0:30 | Relegation: 3B | 4B |
| Jan. 10 | 18:30 | 4:30 | Quafterfinal: 3A | 2B |
| Jan. 12 | 13:00 | 23:00 | Semifinal: 1A | 4A/1B |
| Jan. 12 | 14:30 | 0:30 | Relegation: 3B | 4B |
| Jan. 12 | 17:00 | 3:00 | Semifinal: 2A | 3A/2B |
| Jan. 12 | 18:30 | 4:30 | 5th place | |
| Jan. 13 | 13:00 | 23:00 | Bronze Medal Game | |
| Jan. 13 | 14:30 | 0:30 | Relegation: 3B | 4B *if needed |
| Jan. 13 | 17:00 | 3:00 | Gold Medal Game |
How to Watch
The IIHF is streaming every single game on their YouTube channel.
As an aside, highlights from the 2013 Worlds are also on there.
The IIHF does a surprisingly good job with stats, record keeping, and recaps for every single game. Those can be found on their website.
On Twitter, the hashtag for the tournament is #U18WWC.
History
No country besides USA and Canada have ever won gold at U18 Worlds. This year USA is looking for a record fifth straight gold medal as well.
U18 History
| Year | Location | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Dmitrov, Russia | USA | Sweden | Canada |
| 2017 | Zlin/Prerov, Czech | USA | Canada | Russia |
| 2016 | St. Catharines, Ontario, Can. | USA | Canada | Sweden |
| 2015 | Buffalo, NY, US | USA | Canada | Russia |
| 2014 | Budapest, Hungary | Canada | USA | Czech Republic |
| 2013 | Heinola/Vierumaki, Finland | Canada | USA | Sweden |
| 2012 | Zlin/Prerov, Czech | Canada | USA | Sweden |
| 2011 | Stockholm, Sweden | USA | Canada | Finland |
| 2010 | Woodridge, IL, US | Canada | USA | Sweden |
| 2009 | Fussen, Germany | USA | Canada | Sweden |
| 2008 | Calgary, Albert, CAN | USA | Canada | Czech Republic |
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