Canada are the reigning IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship title holders ©Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images

Canada will be bidding to claim a second consecutive International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Under-18 Women's World Championship title in Slovakia's capital Bratislava, with action set to begin tomorrow.

Kendall Cooper is one of five returnees from the team that beat the United States 3-2 in overtime in the last edition's gold-medal game in Obihiro.  

Another returnee is forward Maddi Wheeler, who poked in her own rebound for the golden goal in the sudden-death period of the final in the Japanese city.

It broke a string of four straight triumphs for the US at the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships and secured Canada their fifth gold medal since the tournament begun in 2008.

Canada have been drawn into Group A with Finland, Russia and the US.

Group B comprises Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.


All matches are due to be played at the Ice Rink Vlado Dzurilla, in halls one and two.

The top two teams from Group A will go straight through to the semi-finals, which are due to take place on January 1 following the conclusion of round-robin games on Sunday (December 29).

The bottom two teams from Group A and the top two teams from Group B will contest the quarter-finals next Monday (December 30).

The gold and bronze-medal games are scheduled to be held on January 2.

Tomorrow's action in Group A is scheduled to see Canada face Russia and the US meet Finland.

In Group B, Switzerland will go up against Czech Republic before Sweden do battle with Slovakia.