Future NHL Stars Coming to Rochester for World Juniors

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - An international event showcasing the world's best men's hockey players under the age of 20 is coming to Minnesota later this year and Rochester has been chosen to participate.

Local leaders and representatives of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship held a news conference this morning to announce that Rochester has been selected as one of Minnesota's host communities for the World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series. It involves a number of exhibition games that will be played in the state as a lead up to the 2026 world championship tournament in the Twin Cities in late December and early January.

“Rochester Sports is excited to host the World Juniors Hockey Pre-Tournament events this December,” said Matt Esau, executive director of Rochester Sports. “This exciting opportunity brings future NHL stars to our own backyard, giving our community a front-row seat to world-class competition. It’s also a chance to showcase Rochester to USA Hockey as a premier host city for potential future events. We’re incredibly grateful for the generous support from community members who have stepped up to make this event possible.”

The host community designation means the Rochester Recreation Center will serve as the home for two of the teams participating in the international championship event. Officials say they are expected to spend about 10 days in Rochester preparing to compete.

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Improvements are planned at the Rec Center, including upgrades to the locker rooms. They will involve the installation of individual stalls for the players and other amenities that will be available for use by local hockey players in years to come.

Announcements concerning which teams will be coming to Rochester and the dates and locations of the pre-tournament exhibition games are expected this summer.

Teams from 10 nations will be coming to Minnesota to compete in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship with tournament games at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul and Mariucci Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. A news release says this will be the seventh time the United States has hosted the tournament. The first Junior world championship took place in the Twin Cities in 1982.