The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships are set to begin on Boxing Day, but teams have one final chance to fine-tune their lineups in pre-tournament action.
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In the case of Vancouver Canucks prospects, all three — Tom Willander, Sawyer Mynio, and Basile Sansonnens — will have an opportunity to feature in these final warm-up games.
<blockquote>Sweden vs. Germany</blockquote>
First on the schedule is Sweden, who will face off against Germany in their second (and final) tune-up game.
Tom Willander, the Canucks&#8217; 2023 first-round pick, played a key role in Sweden’s earlier match against Canada, where he logged heavy minutes on the team’s second pairing. His smooth skating and defensive reliability make him a cornerstone for Sweden’s blue line heading into the tournament.
While lineups have yet to be confirmed, Willander is expected to suit up again as Sweden refines its pairings and systems.
The game begins at noon PT.
<blockquote>Canada vs. Czech Republic</blockquote>
Next, Team Canada will play the Czech Republic in their third and final pre-tournament match.
Canada has looked sharp during preliminary matches, winning their first two tune-up games against Switzerland (7-1) and Sweden (4-2). However, Sawyer Mynio’s status in the lineup remains a mystery.
The Kamloops native sat out Canada’s previous match against Sweden and has been practicing on the fourth pairing. Given Canada’s rotation of defenders during pre-tournament play, there’s a possibility that Mynio sees ice time today, even if it’s in a seventh defender role.
The puck drops at 4:00 PM PT, also available on TSN.
<blockquote>Switzerland vs. Latvia</blockquote>
Lastly, Basile Sansonnens and Team Switzerland will take on Latvia in their final preparation game.
The Rimouski Océanic defenceman played on Switzerland’s third pairing in their previous game against Canada, a role he’s likely to carry throughout the tournament. Sansonnens, known for his steady defensive play and penalty-killing prowess, will aim to solidify his spot as a regular fixture on the Swiss blue line.
This game also starts at 4:00 PM PT, rounding out a packed day of Canucks prospect action.
<blockquote>Looking Ahead</blockquote>
With the tournament set to begin in just a few days, all three Canucks prospects will be looking to make their mark:
<ul>
<li>Tom Willander is expected to anchor Sweden’s defensive efforts and play significant minutes in all situations.</li>
<li>Sawyer Mynio will fight to secure a regular role on Canada’s stacked blue line. Should he succeed, fans can expect a third-pairing role.</li>
<li>Basile Sansonnens aims to bring his shutdown game and physicality to the Swiss lineup.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>Schedules</blockquote>
Team Canada’s schedule:
December 26: vs. Finland @ 4:30 p.m. PT 
December 27: vs. Latvia @ 4:30 PM PT 
December 29: vs. Germany @ 4:30 PM PT 
December 31: vs. USA @ 5:00 p.m. PT
Team Sweden schedule:
December 26: vs. Slovakia @ 9:00 AM PT 
December 27: vs. Kazakhstan @ 2:00 PM PT 
December 29: vs. Switzerland @ 9:00 AM PT 
December 31: vs. Czechia @ 2:00 PM PT
Team Switzerland schedule
December 26: vs. Czechia @ 2:00 PM PT 
December 27: vs. Slovakia @ 10:00 AM PT 
December 29: vs. Sweden @ 9:00 AM PT 
December 31 vs. Kazakhstan @ 9:00 AM PT

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships are set to begin on Boxing Day, but teams have one final chance to fine-tune their lineups in pre-tournament action.
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&nbsp;

In the case of Vancouver Canucks prospects, all three — Tom Willander, Sawyer Mynio, and Basile Sansonnens — will have an opportunity to feature in these final warm-up games.
<blockquote>Sweden vs. Germany</blockquote>
First on the schedule is Sweden, who will face off against Germany in their second (and final) tune-up game.

Tom Willander, the Canucks' 2023 first-round pick, played a key role in Sweden’s earlier match against Canada, where he logged heavy minutes on the team’s second pairing. His smooth skating and defensive reliability make him a cornerstone for Sweden’s blue line heading into the tournament.

While lineups have yet to be confirmed, Willander is expected to suit up again as Sweden refines its pairings and systems.

The game begins at noon PT.
<blockquote>Canada vs. Czech Republic</blockquote>
Next, Team Canada will play the Czech Republic in their third and final pre-tournament match.

Canada has looked sharp during preliminary matches, winning their first two tune-up games against Switzerland (7-1) and Sweden (4-2). However, Sawyer Mynio’s status in the lineup remains a mystery.

The Kamloops native sat out Canada’s previous match against Sweden and has been practicing on the fourth pairing. Given Canada’s rotation of defenders during pre-tournament play, there’s a possibility that Mynio sees ice time today, even if it’s in a seventh defender role.

The puck drops at 4:00 PM PT, also available on TSN.
<blockquote>Switzerland vs. Latvia</blockquote>
Lastly, Basile Sansonnens and Team Switzerland will take on Latvia in their final preparation game.

The Rimouski Océanic defenceman played on Switzerland’s third pairing in their previous game against Canada, a role he’s likely to carry throughout the tournament. Sansonnens, known for his steady defensive play and penalty-killing prowess, will aim to solidify his spot as a regular fixture on the Swiss blue line.

This game also starts at 4:00 PM PT, rounding out a packed day of Canucks prospect action.
<blockquote>Looking Ahead</blockquote>
With the tournament set to begin in just a few days, all three Canucks prospects will be looking to make their mark:
<ul>
 	<li>Tom Willander is expected to anchor Sweden’s defensive efforts and play significant minutes in all situations.</li>
 	<li>Sawyer Mynio will fight to secure a regular role on Canada’s stacked blue line. Should he succeed, fans can expect a third-pairing role.</li>
 	<li>Basile Sansonnens aims to bring his shutdown game and physicality to the Swiss lineup.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>Schedules</blockquote>
Team Canada’s schedule:

December 26: vs. Finland @ 4:30 p.m. PT
December 27: vs. Latvia @ 4:30 PM PT
December 29: vs. Germany @ 4:30 PM PT
December 31: vs. USA @ 5:00 p.m. PT

Team Sweden schedule:

December 26: vs. Slovakia @ 9:00 AM PT
December 27: vs. Kazakhstan @ 2:00 PM PT
December 29: vs. Switzerland @ 9:00 AM PT
December 31: vs. Czechia @ 2:00 PM PT

Team Switzerland schedule

December 26: vs. Czechia @ 2:00 PM PT
December 27: vs. Slovakia @ 10:00 AM PT
December 29: vs. Sweden @ 9:00 AM PT
December 31 vs. Kazakhstan @ 9:00 AM PT

All 3 Canucks prospects set for final tune-up games before World Juniors today

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