Czechia looks for its 3rd straight medal at the World Juniors, opens Group B play against Switzerland on Thursday.
In 2023, Czechia ended an 18-year medal drought by taking a silver medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship and followed that up with a bronze last year. The Czechs open play in Group B at the 2025 edition of the tournament at TD Place in Ottawa on Thursday against Switzerland, which took host Sweden to overtime in the quarterfinals last year. Czechia won back-to-back golds in 2000 and 2001 competing as the Czech Republic while the Swiss took their lone WJC medal, a bronze, back in 1998.
How to Watch Czechia vs. Switzerland in 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Today:
Game Date: Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024
Game Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: NHL Network
Live stream the Czechia vs. Switzerland Group B game from the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship on Fubo: Start your free trial today!
Michael Hrabal, a prospect for the Utah Hockey Club, will start in net for Czechia and has struggled at times with the national team. Defenseman Adam Jiricek (St. Louis Blues) was a first-round pick in this year’s NHL draft who has struggled with injuries and is joined on the blue line by Jakub Dvorak (Los Angeles Kings). The Czech forwards are led by Eduard Sale (Seattle Kraken), Miroslav Holinka (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Adam Jecho (Blues).
Switzerland’s chances will rest on the shoulders of goalie Ewan Huet, with Leon Muggli (Washington Capitals) and Ludvig Johnson expected to lead the defense corps. Lars Steiner is a skilled forward who won’t be draft-eligible until 2026 while Jamiro Reber and Jan Dorthe will be expected to produce the bulk of the offense.
Radim Rulik coaches the Czechia side while Marco Bayer has led the Swiss since 2020.
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