The 2026 World Junior Championship begins in Minnesota tomorrow! A player already drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks has won gold in the event every year since 2021, and the Hawks have three prospects skating for their respective countries in this year’s event.
So, to get Blackhawks fans properly prepared for the tournament, we’ve got everything you need to know. Which teams have a Blackhawks prospect on the roster? Which 2026 draft-eligible prospects are playing (and for which teams)? When are the games? How do we watch?
Here’s your full download for the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Junior Championship!
All games during 2026 World Juniors tournament will be broadcast live on NHL Network for viewers in the USA.Sweden
Blackhawks Prospect: Anton Frondell
Schedule
Dec. 26, noon — vs. Slovakia Dec. 28, 1 PM — vs. Switzerland Dec. 29, noon — vs. Germany Dec. 31, 5 PM — vs. USAFrondell, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and arguably the Blackhawks’ top prospect not currently playing in North America, figures to play a prominent role for a good, deep team from Sweden. This will be a good opportunity for Blackhawks fans to see more of his game than the clips we’ve seen from the SHL throughout this season. Frondell will wear an A for Sweden in the tournament.
Årets JVM-kaptener!?#juniorkronorna #wjc2026 #jvm2026 pic.twitter.com/KDxR1jBQzt
— Tre Kronor (@Trekronorse) December 22, 2025United States
Blackhawks Prospect: AJ Spellacy
Schedule
Dec. 26, 5 PM — vs. Germany Dec. 27, 5 PM — vs. Switzerland Dec. 29, 5 PM — vs. Slovakia Dec. 31, 5 PM — vs. USAWe’ve seen some of Spellacy with the Blackhawks the past couple years. He’s big, physical and fast. He figures to play a supporting role for the USA at the World Juniors, likely being a penalty killer and heat-seeking missile of a fourth line guy. Spellacy had points in seven of his last eight games with Windsor in the OHL before joining the USA for camp.
Czechia
Blackhawks Prospect: Václav Nestrašil
Schedule
Dec. 26, 7:30 PM — vs. Canada Dec. 27, 7:30 PM — vs. Denmark Dec. 29, 2:30 PM — vs. Finland Dec. 31, 2:30 PM — vs. LatviaNestrašil, another of the Blackhawks’ three picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, has been spectacular as a freshman at UMass this season. He’s used his 6-6 frame well against a tough slate in Hockey East; Nestrašil has 10 goals and 10 assists in his first 18 collegiate games. He could be a huge player (literally and figuratively) for Czechia, who have legit medal hopes.
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images2026 NHL Draft Prospects to Watch
Here are 2026 NHL Draft-eligible players who are participating in the 2026 World Junior Championship who are worth watching as Blackhawks fans when you tune in over the coming days. I’ll break them up by country (with each player’s bio page on Elite Prospect embedded for your use).
Canada
Gavin McKenna, F Keaton Verhoeff, D Carson Carels, D Ethan Mackenzie, DUnited States
Chase Reid, D Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen, D Brady Knowling, GSweden
Ivar Stenberg, F Viggo Björck, FFinland
Oliver Suvanto, F Juho Piiparinen, DCzechia
Adam Novotný, FLatvia
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