The biggest and best junior-aged hockey tournament is upon us. The IIHF World Junior Championships starts today and runs through January 5th featuring 10 teams and some of the top U-20 players in the world this year’s host city of Ottawa.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will have three of their drafted prospects competing in the event. Forward Tanner Howe (second round pick, 2024) will be representing Canada, and a pair of Finnish defensemen Kalle Kangas (seventh round, 2023) and Emil Pieniniemi (third round, 2023) will also be involved.
A wrist injury prevented Pittsburgh’s other 2024 second round pick, Harrison Brunicke, from participation this year but he will be eligible to play in this event next year.