WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Where: Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta.
When: Monday through Jan. 5. Pool play ends Dec. 31, with quarterfinals Jan. 2, semifinals Jan. 3 and medal games Jan. 5.
Group A (Calgary): Latvia, Russia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden.
Group B (Edmonton): Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, United States.
Future leaders: The Wild has three prospects who will be team captains -- Jason Zucker (U.S.), Mikael Granlund (Finland) and Johann Larsson (Sweden).
Minnesotans on Team USA: Gophers forwards Nick Bjugstad (Blaine) and Kyle Rau (Eden Prairie); North Dakota defenseman Derek Forbort (Duluth); and Nebraska Omaha forward Josh Archibald (Bemidji). St. Cloud State defenseman Kevin Gravel (Kingsford, Mich.) also is on the team.
Last year: Russia beat Canada 5-3 for the gold medal in Buffalo, N.Y.
Website: iihf.com
