COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The International Ice Hockey Federation today announced the schedule for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will take place Dec. 26, 2015 – Jan. 5, 2016, in Helsinki, Finland. The U.S. was placed in Group A alongside defending champion Canada, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Team USA will begin preliminary-round play against Canada on Dec. 26 and have a day off before facing Sweden on Dec. 28. The U.S. will conclude Group A play with back-to-back games against Switzerland on Dec. 30 and Denmark on Dec. 31. All four of Team USA’s preliminary round games will be played at Helsinki Ice Hall in Helsinki.

The quarterfinal round is scheduled for Jan. 2, and the semifinals will take place on Jan. 4. The bronze-medal and gold-medal games will be held on Jan. 5. All semifinal and medal games will be played at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki. 

Last Meeting: Team USA and Canada met on New Year's Eve at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, where Canada played to a 5-3 victory.

World Junior History: The U.S. trails in the all-time series, 6-1-3-29-3 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T). The U.S. last defeated Canada in the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship during semifinal play. Complete series game-by-game results

Last Meeting: The U.S. defeated Sweden 3-1, in the gold-medal game to win the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship. 

World Junior History: Team USA is 13-1-0-14-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) all-time against Sweden. Over the last ten meetings, Team USA boasts an undefeated 8-1-0-0-1 record against the Swedes. Complete series game-by-game results

Last Meeting: The U.S. defeated Switzerland, 2-1, in the relegation round of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. 

World Junior History: Team USA is 19-0-0-0-2 all-time against Switzerland. Over the last four meetings, Team USA boasts a 4-0 record against the Swiss. Complete series game-by-game results

Last Meeting: The U.S. defeated Denmark, 11-3, in the preliminary round of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. 

World Junior History: Team USA and Denmark have only met once in tournament play. In last year's tournament, the U.S. finished fifth while Denmark finished eighth. Complete series game-by-game results