2026 World Juniors daily: Jan 6
Sweden were crowned 2026 World Juniors champions while Canada claimed bronze on the final day of the tournament in St. Paul, MN.
Jan. 5 results
Canada 6-3 Finland
Sweden 4-2 Czechia
About yesterday
Canada ensured it collected its first medal since 2023 after a 6-3 victory over Finland that secured bronze. The London Knights’ Sam O’Reilly (TB) scored twice while reigning CHL Player of the Year Gavin McKenna (2026) had four points (1G/3A). The Saginaw Spirit’s Zayne Parekh (CGY) chipped in with a goal and assist while the Seattle Thunderbirds’ Braeden Cootes (VAN) and former Brampton Steelhead Porter Martone (PHI) also scored. The Owen Sound Attack’s Carter George (LA) made 32 saves. It is the seventh time Canada has finished third at the tournament and first since 2012.
Parekh made World Juniors history as his five goals and 13 points are now the most by a Canadian defenceman in a single tournament while Martone led the tournament in goals with six. In seven games, McKenna finished second in scoring with 14 points (four goals).
Zayne Parekh ties 🇨🇦 history!
The @SpiritHockey and @NHLFlames d-man ties a Canadian record for most points by a blueliner at a single #WorldJuniors with 12! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/vaQ7MCwJfu
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 5, 2026
Sweden claimed just its third ever World Juniors gold medal – and first since 2012 – after a 4-2 win over Czechia. The Czech’s found themselves behind 3-0 but a pair of late goals – that included a fifth from the Brantford Bulldogs’ Adam Jiricek (STL) – pulled them to within a goal before an empty-netter sealed the deal. Brampton Steelheads d-man Jakub Fibigr (SEA) had a pair of assists while the Prince Albert Raiders’ Michal Orsulak stopped 31 shots. Although beaten, it marks the fourth straight year that Czechia have medalled at the tournament, the longest in program history.
Furthermore, incoming Kelowna Rockets forward Vojtech Cihar (LA) was named tournament MVP after he had 12 points (four goals) in seven games.
🗣️ MVP!
Incoming @Kelowna_Rockets #GoKingsGo prospect Vojtech Cihar is the 2026 #WorldJuniors' Most Valuable Player! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8H9zRVD15A
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 6, 2026
CHL leading scorers
| Name | Country | Points | CHL club |
| Gavin McKenna | Canada | 14 | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| Zayne Parekh | Canada | 13 | Saginaw Spirit (OHL) |
| Vojtech Cihar | Czechia | 12 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| Porter Martone | Canada | 9 | Brampton Steelheads (OHL) |
| Brady Martin | Canada | 8 | Soo Greyhounds |
| Tij Iginla | Canada | 8 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
| Sam O’Reilly | Canada | 8 | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
| Jasper Kuhta | Finland | 8 | Ottawa 67’s (OHL) |
| Adam Benak | Czechia | 8 | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) |
A look ahead
The 2027 World Juniors – the 51st edition of the tournament – will take place Dec. 26 – Jan. 5 from Edmonton and Red Deer, AB.
Canada will compete in Group A alongside Czechia, Switzerland, Latvia and Norway in Edmonton while Group B – based in Red Deer – will be comprised of Sweden, Finland, USA, Slovakia and Germany.
