World Junior Championship to create a buzz in Ottawa this Boxing Day

Team Canada's Easton Cowan (27) of Mount Brydges, Ont. looks on during practice at Silver Dart Arena on Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa, in Petawawa, Ont., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

A Canadian hockey holiday tradition returns to the capital this Boxing Day, as the 2025 World Junior Championship is set to create a buzz in the city.

Thousands of people are in Ottawa looking forward to catching a glimpse of some of the best hometown hockey players from around the world.

Canada will take on Finland at the Canadian Tire Centre at 7:30 p.m., as it kicks off its quest for a 21st title to headline the opening day of the World Junior Championship Thursday night.

Finland is looking for its sixth title and first since 2019.

Canada's team includes 17-year-old Gavin McKenna of the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers.

Brayden Yager, Winnipeg Jets prospect, is Canada's captain at this edition of the World Juniors Championship. He was part of the Canadian team that finished a disappointing fifth at the 2024 tournament in Sweden after back-to-back titles.

The United States won the title in 2024 and will open their tournament against Germany. Sweden will face Slovakia and Switzerland will take on Czechia in the other opening-day games.

Canada took on Czechia in a pre-tournament game Monday, winning 3-2.

Though millions of people are expected to watch the games on TV, the tournament is expected to boost the capital’s local economy.

Fans with tickets are encouraged to arrive early to the game, due to the high volume of traffic around Tanger Outlets mall, says The Canadian Tire Centre.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., one hour before puck drop.

With files from The Canadian Press