Where and When to Watch Lumberjacks at the World Juniors
USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Where and When to Watch Lumberjacks at the World Juniors

Published on December 23, 2025 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The Muskegon Lumberjacks are one of the more represented clubs at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships. With four players, two of whom are active, and a former staffer, the Jacks are rooting for four different countries in the annual U20 tournament.

Lumberjacks' fans in the United States can catch games on NHL Network. Canadian fans can watch on TSN. Below is a breakdown of each team, including a Lumberjack, and their preliminary-round schedule.

Slovakia - Adam Belusko, Luka Radivojevic

Slovakia opens tournament play with the event's first official game, against Sweden, at Grand Casino Arena on Friday afternoon. Both Belusko and Radivojevic will lead their country into the charge as alternate captains.

Slovakia Preliminary Schedule:

Friday, 1 p.m. vs Sweden

Saturday, 2 p.m. vs Germany

Monday, 6 p.m. vs USA

Wednesday, 1 p.m. vs Switzerland

Latvia - Rudolfs Berzkalns

Heading into his second WJC tournament, Berzkalns has high expectations for himself and his country. Last year, Latvia upset Canada in the 2025 tournament in Ottawa. This year, Berzkalns knows they aren't viewed as underdogs, and no one is underestimating one of the youngest teams at the event.

Latvia Preliminary Schedule:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. vs Canada

Sunday, 4:30 p.m. vs Finland

Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. vs Denmark

Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. vs Czechia (Nestrasil)

Czechia - Vaclav Nestrasil

2025 was quite the year for Vaclav Nestrasil. A Clark Cup Championship followed by a first-round selection in the NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, and near the top of freshman scoring in the NCAA, now at UMass Amherst. As the calendar flips to 2026, Nestrasil is looking to carry his momentum with him to the new year, starting with a strong performance with his first WJC appearance.

Czechia Preliminary Schedule:

Friday, 8:30 p.m. vs Canada

Saturday, 8:30 p.m. vs Denmark

Monday, 3:30 p.m. vs Finland

Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. vs Latvia (Berzkalns)

USA - Patrick Dooley (EQ)

The Lumberjacks' family includes so many people in so many different roles. Former Jacks Equipment Manager Patrick Dooley spent five seasons in Muskegon and rose through the ranks to the NCAA, just as the players he worked with had done. After a stint at Vermont (ECAC), Dooley moved back to the Midwest to join Notre Dame's (BIG10) staff. Now, Dooley gets to compete against current and former players on the international stage.

USA Preliminary Schedule:

Friday, 6 p.m. vs Germany

Saturday, 6 p.m. vs Switzerland

Monday, 6 p.m. vs Slovakia (Belusko, Radivojevic)

Wednesday, 6 p.m. vs Sweden

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from December 23, 2025


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central