The tournament started Dec. 26 and will run through Jan. 5 at two sites: Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota (Group A) and 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Group B). All tournament games are broadcasted on NHL Network.

Team USA - Lee, Vansaghi, Reid

Lee, Vansaghi and Reid kicked off tournament play yesterday, defeating Germany 6-3. Reid netted the second goal of the night, giving the U.S. a 2-0 lead at the time. Team USA will take on Switzerland tonight, 6:00 p.m. EST.

While all three athletes have represented Team USA in the past, this is their first time competing in World Juniors. The U.S. has won the tournament’s last two gold medals with eight of last year’s medalists returning to the team.

Lee ranks fourth on the Spartans in points (6-7—13), bringing a strong offensive skill set to Team USA. The winger stands out for his puck handling and creativity, something he has demonstrated since MSU’s first exhibition game.

"He's done quite a few things in practice I've never seen before, you know he’s creative and thinks at a different level," MSU head coach Adam Nightingale said earlier in the season. "He's a really competitive guy. And so, he’s always working on this craft and he's not afraid to try things. But I think it fits within the team structure and that's important."

Vansaghi boasts quieter stats (1-5—6) but still has an ability to make game-changing plays, such as when he prevented a Boston University shot from crossing the goal line during overtime, allowing the Spartans to take a 4-3 victory over the then No. 1 team in the country this season.   

"He's a guy that can play physical and play on the inside offensively and do some things away from the puck that help us win hockey games," Nightingale said before the season started. 

While Reid is not yet a Spartan, his current performances are promising. The blueliner has tallied 35 points (14-21—35) in 31 games this season while competing for the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds. Reid is a top prospect for the 2026 NHL draft.

Lee, Vansaghi and Reid were named to preliminary rosters on Dec. 1 and competed for spots during training camp, which started Dec. 15. Team USA played two games prior to roster cuts, Lee scoring the game-winning goal (1-2 — 3) in an 8-0 shutout against Germany on Dec. 21. Vansaghi also tallied an assist in the game. 

The U.S. roster was finalized on Dec. 24. Lee and Vansaghi are two of 11 Big Ten hockey players competing for Team USA. 

Team Canada - Martone

Martone was named captain of Team Canada, having competed in World Juniors last year. The winger scored an empty-net goal in Canada’s 7-5 victory over Czechia last night, although he earned an unsportsmanlike conduct for his goal celebration. Canada will face Latvia today at 4:30 p.m. EST. 

Martone has established a history of scoring, leading the Spartan offense with 11 goals (11-9 — 20).

At the start of the month, Martone said his time at MSU so far has helped him grow a lot as a player, adopting a quicker pace of game and maturing off the ice.  

Martone marked four points (2-2 — 4) in Canada’s 13-2 victory over Denmark, an exhibition game on Dec. 23. He is one of four Big Ten hockey players competing for Team Canada. 

Team Sweden - Nilson

Nilson opened World Juniors competition with a 3-2 win over Slovakia yesterday. Sweden’s next competition will be on Dec. 28, against Switzerland. Team Sweden defeated Switzerland 7-3 in a pre-tournament game on Dec. 23. 

Nilson was named to the Swedish roster on Dec. 5. and has posted six points (3-3—6) during his time in the Green and White. Nightingale has praised the center’s improvements so far.

"He makes the guys around him better," Nightingale said. "He's done a heck of a job in the penalty kill, heck of a job in the power play for us. So, he's got an exciting future. He's a brain-based player, you know, and that's hard to teach and hard to find."

Team Sweden played two exhibition games against Team Canada prior to the tournament, falling 2-1 on Dec. 17 before earning a 4-2 victory on Dec. 20. Nilson did not record a point in either exhibition, nor did Martone, who played only on Dec. 20.

Nilson will face teammates Lee and Vansaghi on Dec. 31 when Team Sweden takes on Team USA. 

Both the U.S. and Sweden are in Group A of pool play while Canada is in Group B. Canada will not face the U.S. or Sweden unless the sides compete in a medal game.