Two games launch the mid September tournament, with Team USA set to take on Team Europe at 3:30 PM Eastern/12:30 PM Pacific Time.
The Prime Time game of the night features The Czech Republic squad facing off against Team Canada at 8 PM Eastern/5 PM Pacific.
The launch of the World Cup schedule finds Team Canada the favourite to claim the title on home ice at the Air Canada Centre, however, never to be underestimated are the American and Russian squads, while hockey fans are curious to see how the Swedes, Finns and Czech Republic handle the short schedule which quickly can see fortunes rise or decline.
The two unknowns so far are Team Europe, with its lineup of players from scattered world outposts brought together to quickly bond outside of the traditional national organization.
The other team which has created a fair bit of buzz as the exhibition games came to an end was Team North America, a collection of the young guns for the NHL today, a squad that perhaps from their experience in countless world junior tournaments of the past, is best suited to the concept of quick turn around from training to competition.
How the young players and their infectious enthusiasm translates into a placement at the tournament could make for one of the key elements to follow as the tournament moves forward.
We'll be tracking the results from the opening round through to the Championship series here, offering updates on developments from each of the participating teams.
Some pre tournament notes for the teams culled from the last week of practices and exhibition games can be found below.
Team Canada
Team Canada going with Carey Price in net
The world comes gunning for Canada again
Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry alive and well at World Cup of Hockey
Sidney Crosby looking to add World Cup gold to resume
Canada's the favourite, but who will be the other team in the final?
Canada, Russia to square off in World Cup tune-up
Team Canada full of confidence going into hockey World Cup
World Cup could be Joe Thornton's last time representing Canada
Will Canadian hockey fans end up cheering against Team Canada?
Ryan Getzlaf nets OT winner as Canada works out final World Cup kinks
Fibbing about injuries isn't a new concept when it comes to representing Canada
Canada's Tyler Seguin out due to injury, replaced by Ryan O'Reilly
There's no hockey rivalry like Canada-Russia: Babcock
Carey Price still working out kinks, but should Canada look elsewhere?
Carey Price looks sharp as Team Canada beats Russia in overtime in final World Cup of Hockey tuneup
Carey Price still working out kinks at World Cup of Hockey; Canada has other options if needed
Tyler Seguin sidelined for World Cup of Hockey; Canada calls on Ryan O'Reilly as his replacement
Team Canada unsurprised by rugged nature of World Cup exhibition games against U.S.: 'Those were intense'
Canada starts to gel in rollicking World Cup exhibtions against U.S.: "We've done some good things"
Canada atones for away defeat, cruises past U. S. in World Cup exhibition rematch in Ottawa
'We've got some big boys around here': Canada preapred for physical game against U.S. at World Cup of Hockey
Mike Babcock eager for Friday's pre-tournament game to see how his Team Canada pieces fit together
Canada's World Cup of Hockey team benefits from core's long history together
Carey Price will start first game since November knee injury on Friday in World Cup exhibition play
Canadian players thrilled to compete at World Cup of Hockey - even though it's been panned as a cash-grab
Carey Price makes hotly anticipated return to hockey at Team Canada's World Cup training camp
Goaltending drama hounds Canada, several other teams at World Cup of Hockey training camps
It's going to be game on': Team canada prepares for intense, high-stakes hockey at World Cup
Sidney Crosby unplugged: Canada's captain will harness 'passion and pride' in pursuit of World Cup title
USA
With World Cup marking his 10th season, Kane 'still on my front nine' of NHL career
Breaking down USA's strengths and weaknesses vs. Europe
'This is our time' to win World Cup of Hockey, Americans say
Team USA knows 'it's time right now to get the job done' at World Cup of Hockey
Team USA knows their place in hockey hierarchy, but they're comfortable with it
Team USA Players have confidence in themselves entering World Cup
After missing Sochi Olympics, USA's Jack Johnson dons red, white and blue again
John Tortorella 'not backing off' vow to bench playes over national anthem
American NHL players preparing for World Cup downplay anthem controversy
Team USA tops Canada in World Cup of Hockey exhibition game
Five steps for USA to win it all
John Tortorella expects Patrick Kane to be 'dangerous' player in World Cup
Team USA hockey coach says he will bench any player that sits during anthem
Patrick Kane will get free rein from John Tortorella to create offence for Team USA
Team Europe
Team Europe to face the United States in World Cup
Hockey? Soccer? Team Europe coach Ralph Krueger is one man in two sports
Coach Krueger's strange journey to Team Europe in the hockey World Cup
Team Europe can't get no respect ahead of World Cup of Hockey
Canada-Czech matchup stirs up memories of historic Daryl Sittler goal
Ontario heavy Team Canada could win World Cup title on home ice
World Cup of hockey is Canada's tournament to lose
Team North America dismantles European foes with five-goal first period in World Cup exhibition game
Speed and sill on display at Team North America flies out of gates in 4-0 win over Europe
Team North America
McDavid, Matthews making hockey a young man's game
Team North America drops final World Cup of Hockey exhibition
Team North America looked energetic, fun in exhibition win over Team Europe
Will Team North American save the World Cup of Hockey?
North America's youth movement on speedy display at World Cup
World Cup of Hockey a place for youngsters to learn new tricks
Welcome, Auston: Matthews lining up with McDavid and Scheifele to start World Cup
Stage is set for Auston Matthews to display his skill, size and strength
North America faces first adversity in close exhibition loss to Czech Republic
Coaching staff still juggling Connor McDavid's linemates to find elusive chemistry
Playing in World cup gives Auston Matthews 'head start'
Stage is set for Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews to show his skill and strength at World Cup of Hockey
Young stars on Team North America still have some growing up to do against top teams in World Cup of Hockey
Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins looks like he's returning to form at the World Cup of Hockey
Drouin-Scheifele? Gaudreau-Eichel? North America hunts for magic formula to get the most out of Conner McDavid
From speed to Auston Matthews, here is what has stood out on North American World Cup of Hockey Team
Team North America dismantles European foes with five-goal first period in World Cup exhibition game
'They're going to be fast': Team North America could be unbeatable at World Cup - according to video game
Team North America inadvertently roots for opponents - Canada and the U.S., that is - at World Cup
Connor McDavid was natural choice to captain Team North America: "He's a hell of a hockey player"
Speed and sill on display at Team North America flies out of gates in 4-0 win over Europe
Team North America brushes off concerns about young defence, which ins't as green as it might look
Auston Matthews embraces pressure of playing at World Cup - and for Toronto: 'He's not intimidated'
Johnny Gaudreau serves as preternaturally skilled poster boy for young Team North America
Connor McDavid-led North Americans search for quick chemistry ahead of World Cup of Hockey
McDavid? Schiefle? Saad? Young North American team mulls captain choice ahead of World Cup
Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray emerges as top goaltending option for youthful Team North America
Team North America embraces 'gimmick' of icing young stars against seasoned veterans at World Cup
Czech Republic
Czechs happy to fly under World Cup radar
Canada-Czech matchup stirs up memories of historic Daryl Sittler goal
North America faces first adversity in close exhibition loss to Czech Republic
Finland
Patrik Laine leads Finnish youth brigade at World Cup
Super sniper Laine the main Finnish attraction at World Cup of Hockey
Finland staying mum on starting goalie for World Cup
Sweden
Lundqvist should be fighting mad for World Cup opener
Russia
Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry alive and well at World Cup of Hockey
Russia's World Cup of Hockey entry stronger than it first appears
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