The IIHF U18 World Championships start in the Ural region of Russia tomorrow

The United States, winners of seven of the last nine International Ice Hockey Federation’s U18 World Championship titles, are confident they will defend their title in the latest edition of the event gets underway in Russia tomorrow.

Boasting a full roster from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Programme, the US team are well favoured to replicate their 2017 victory from Slovakia in a competition being jointly hosted by the Ural Mountains cities of Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk.

Up front, key returnees from that 2017 team include two potential top-10 National Hockey League draft picks, captain Joel Farabee and power forward Oliver Wahlstrom.

Anticipation also surrounds Jack Hughes, whom head coach Seth Appert has dubbed "the best 2001 [born] player in the world".

With 99 points in 52 games this season, the 16-year-old centre has drawn rave reviews for his playmaking and competitive fire.

Joel Farabee, a member of the US team that won the 2017 IIHF U18 World Championships in Slovakia, is back to captain the side in Russia as they seek to retain their title ©IIHF
Joel Farabee, a member of the US team that won the 2017 IIHF U18 World Championships in Slovakia, is back to captain the side in Russia as they seek to retain their title ©IIHF

The US are in the top group along with two of their most likely challengers - Canada, who last won this title in 2013, and Sweden.

The US and Canada are due meet tomorrow in the opening round at the Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, the Group A venue.

The Group B openers at Traktor Ice Arena in Chelyabinsk will see Slovakia meet Finland and the hosts taking on France, who qualified for these Championships for the first time by winning the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division I Group A in Bled.

Russia, bronze medallists last year, are in Group B along with 2017 silver medallists Finland.