The U.S. Men’s National Under-17 Team squares off against Canada's Team Quebec in in a pre-tournament tilt at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST. The game will be played at Richmond Arena in Louisdale, Nova Scotia.

Team USA and Quebec met twice in last year's tournament, with the U.S. claiming victory both times. Chris Wilkie (Omaha, Neb.) netted one goal and added two assists in the first win on Dec. 31, 2013, in Victoriaville, Quebec. Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.), Ryan MacInnis (St. Louis, Mo.), Austin Poganski (St. Cloud, Minn.) and Ryan Bliss (Chelmsford, Mass.) also scored for the Americans. Chris Birdsall (Glen Rock, N.J.) made 17 saves in the 5-1 triumph. In the second meeting, third place was on the line in Drummondville. Poganski tallied three goals, one in each period, as Team USA clipped Quebec, 4-3. Birdsall turned in a 26-save performance between the pipes.

• Team USA claimed third place in last year's tournament after back-to-back second place finishes (2011, 2012). The U.S. won the tournament in 2010 and has now placed in the top three for seven consecutive years (2006, 2008-13). No tournament was held in 2007.
• The U.S. enters the tournament having captured first place three times (2001-02, 2010) and second place four times (1999, 2008, 2011-12).
• All 22 players on the roster come from the U.S. National Under-17 Team that is part of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
• The 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge includes two pools of five teams. Pool A consists of teams from the Czech Republic, Pacific, Quebec, Sweden and West. Pool B consists of teams from Atlantic, Germany, Ontario, Russia and the United States.
• Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #WU17.
• For additional coverage, visit the NTDP Facebook page and follow @USANTDP on Twitter.
• The U.S. National Under-17 Team trains with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

Atlantic vs. Czech Republic (Pre-Tournament)
Centre 200, Sydney, N.S.

West vs. Germany (Pre-Tournament)
Civic Centre, Port Hawkesbury, N.S.

Ontario vs. Sweden (Pre-Tournament)
Dan K. Stevens Memorial Arena, Eskasoni, N.S.

Pacific vs. Russia (Pre-Tournament)
Emera Centre Northside, North Sydney, N.S.

All 10 squads competing in the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will skate today in pre-tournament games. Games will take place at 4 p.m. EST at different locations in Nova Scotia. Teams from Group A will cross over to play squads in Group B before preliminary round action begins on Sunday, Dec. 29.