The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships are held annually over the Christmas holidays and pit the top Under-20 players in the world against one another. This tournament is always hotly contested, and is a mainstay of many Canadian households during the holiday season, even when it is played overseas, resulting in early morning game times.

This tournament has been a springboard for many top young players throughout the years, and is a good stage to see top talent before it hits the NHL stage. In recent years, players such as SidneyCrosby, DionPhaneuf, AlMontoya, AlexanderOvechkin and many others have made their international debuts on this stage, foreshadowing excellent NHL careers. The tournament is intended to showcase top 19 year old talent but each year 1 or 2 draft eligible players step up and make a splash. At the 2006 tournament, American defenseman ErikJohnson stepped up and made his case for being the top pick in the NHLEntryDraft, surpassing teammate PhilKessel and other top prospects.

Johnson has another strong showing at the 2007 tournament, helping the US to a bronze medal and earning both top defenseman honours, and a spot on the tournament all-star team. His teammate PatrickKane (LondonKnights, OHL) had an excellent tournament, earning a spot on the tournament all-star team and helping his draft status for the 2007 NHLEntryDraft. Team Canada was propelled to its 3rd straight gold medal by strong performances from JonathanToews, CareyPrice and KristopherLetang. All 3 were named to the tournament All-Star team.

Canada again won gold at the tournament, for the 3rd year in a row.

Tournament Winners

• 2007: Canada
• 2006: Canada
• 2005: Canada
• 2004: USA
• 2003: Russia
• 2002: Russia
• 2001: Czech Republic
• 2000: Czech Republic
• 1999: Russia
• 1998: Finland
• 1997: Canada
• 1996: Canada
• 1995: Canada
• 1994: Canada
• 1993: Canada
• 1992: Commonwealth of Independant States
• 1991: Canada
• 1990: Canada
• 1989: USSR
• 1988: Canada
• 1987: Finland
• 1986: USSR
• 1985: Canada
• 1984: USSR
• 1983: USSR
• 1982: Canada
• 1981: Sweden
• 1980: USSR
• 1979: USSR
• 1978: USSR
• 1977: USSR
• 1976: USSR
• 1975: USSR
• 1974: USSR

IIHF Directorate Awards