Canada was missing six NHLers, including the No. 3-ranked scorer and a defenseman who is likely going to win the Calder Trophy — and yet, they still won a bronze medal at the 2026 world junior championship in Minnesota.

The stage is set for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Sweden will take on Czechia in the gold-medal game at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Monday. Meanwhile, Finland will face Canada in the third-place game, also on Monday.

Canada faces Czechia in the world junior championships semifinals for the right to play Sweden in the gold medal game.

Canada defeated Slovakia 7-1 in their quarterfinal matchup at the world junior hockey championship on Friday. They'll move on to the semifinal matchup against the Czech Republic Sunday.

Lenny Giger, who currently plays for the Sioux City Musketeers, has had a quiet 2026 World Juniors to this point. Through three games played, the forward has recorded zero points. The 19-year-old has posted three goals and six assists through 26 games played in his first season in the USHL.