Buffalo has 3 prospects competing for Team USA.
The Buffalo Sabres have three prospects competing for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, which is being held in St. Paul, Minnesota from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
Forward Brodie Ziemer (3rd round, 2024) and defenseman Adam Kleber (2nd round, 2024) are looking to defend their gold medal as they suit up for Team USA for the second straight year. They’re joined by defenseman Luke Osburn (4th round, 2024), making his first appearance in the tournament.
Ziemer has been named captain for the United States. Read his thoughts going into the tournament here.
Defenseman Radim Mrtka, selected by the Sabres with the ninth-overall pick in this past summer’s NHL Draft, may also play for Czechia, but has been left off its roster to start the tournament due to an injury. The team is awaiting more information on his status before finalizing its roster.
Find the full World Juniors schedule below and check back daily for results and highlights from participating Sabres players. All games will be aired exclusively on NHL Network in the United States.
Sweden 3 – Slovakia 2
Finland 6 – Denmark 2
United States 6 – Germany 3
Ziemer was on the top line for the United States alongside James Hagens and Will Horcoff. Ziemer finished with a primary assist after he scooped up a loose puck following Hagens’ forecheck and found a wide-open Horcoff in the slot to make it 3-0.
Make it THREE 1st period goals for the States! Will Horcoff finishes it off to put Team USA up 3-0. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/FBPT47Dv9Z
Kleber added an assist on the opening goal after he blocked a shot on a Germany 2-on-1, rifled the puck up the wall to Teddy Stiga whose breakaway attempt deflected off the post and onto Max Plante’s stick. Kleber finished plus-4 on the top U.S. defensive pair with Cole Hutson.
USA STRIKES FIRST! 🇺🇸
An incredible lead pass from Adam Kleber eventually leads to a Teddy Stiga post and a Max Plante rebound goal! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/qZrHYehlx5
Czechia (Mrtka) vs. Canada – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27
Slovakia vs. Germany – 2 p.m.
Latvia vs. Canada – 4:30 p.m.
USA (Ziemer / Kleber / Osburn) vs. Switzerland – 6 p.m.
Denmark vs. Czechia (Mrtka) – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 28
Sweden vs. Switzerland – 2 p.m.
Finland vs. Latvia – 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 29
Germany vs. Sweden – 1 p.m.
Finland vs. Czechia (Mrtka) – 3:30 p.m.
Slovakia vs. USA (Ziemer / Kleber / Osburn) – 6 p.m.
Canada vs. Denmark – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 30
Switzerland vs. Germany – 2 p.m.
Latvia vs. Denmark – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 31
Switzerland vs. Slovakia – 1 p.m.
Czechia (Mrtka) vs. Latvia – 3:30 p.m.
USA (Ziemer / Kleber / Osburn) vs. Sweden – 6 p.m.
Canada vs. Finland – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 2
Relegation Game – 12:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal 1 – 2 p.m.
Quarterfinal 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal 3 – 6 p.m.
Quarterfinal 4 – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 4
Semifinal 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Semifinal 2 – 8:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 5
Bronze Medal Game – 4:30 p.m.
Gold Medal Game – 8:30 p.m.