Junior Hockey
All articles that relate to junior hockey leagues and tournaments around the world, including the IIHF World Junior Championships. This also includes the Memorial Cup and CHL Top Prospects game.
Canadian Goaltending Under Focus at CHL Import Draft
The state of Canadian goaltending continues to be a hot button issue for Hockey Canada, with top officials calling for the CHL to quit allowing import goaltenders. Hockey Canada, however, is only noting the symptom and not addressing the root of the problem.
CHL's Suspension of Yakupov Disgusting
Top 2012 NHL Draft prospect Nail Yakupov sat out the CHL Top Prospects game with a legitimate knee injury. The CHL suspended him anyways for two games for not participating, in one of the most disgusting league decisions in recent memory.
Heja Sverige! Zibanejad Ends 31 Year WJC Drought for Sweden
For the first time since 1981, Sweden is on top of the junior hockey world by defeating Russia 1-0 in overtime on a Mika Zibanejad golden goal. And they were full marks for the win, by far the best team in the tournament.
IIHF World Juniors Gold Medal Game: Sweden vs. Russia
The 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship reaches its pinnacle tonight with the Gold Medal Game between two European hockey powers. Check out this preview of Sweden vs. Russia.
Canada Wins Bronze Medal at 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships
It wasn't the medal they wanted, but for the 13th straight year Canada took home some hardware at the IIHF World Junior Championship. They beat Finland 4-0 to take home the bronze.
IIHF World Juniors Bronze Medal Game: Canada vs. Finland
Today's the final day of action at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship in Calgary, which means its time to play for the medals. The Bronze Medal Game features Finland, who are traditionally strong in the 3rd place games, against the host nation, Canada.
Latvia Hangs with Junior Hockey's Elite
Latvia won their final relegation game against Denmark, earning a spot in next year's IIHF World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia. Denmark has been sent back to Division 1, which may not be the worst fate for the burgeoning hockey nation.
Wild Finishes, Emotional Surges, Flubs, Improbability, and Hat Tricks
It was a day with pretty much everything in the IIHF World Junior Championship, as Sweden and Russia squeaked through their semifinal matchups to win gold. Finland blew a late lead against Sweden, while Canada turned a laugher into a nailbiter with a spectacular finish.
IIHF WJC Game Day: Silver Medal Tuesday
It's semifinal, or Silver Medal Day, at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. Come here for analysis and updates on the action between Sweden and Finland, as well as the feature game, Canada and Russia.
IIHF WJC Recap: Russia Wins Thriller, Granlunds Lead Finland
The quarterfinals of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship largely lived up to the hype on Monday, particularly the thrilling Russia vs. Czech Republic matchup. Andrei Vasilievskiy and Mikael Granlund led their countries to victory, leading to dream semifinal matchups on Tuesday of Sweden vs. Finland and Canada vs. Russia.
IIHF World Juniors: Quarterfinals Go Monday
The medal round begins at the IIHF World Junior Championship today with Finland taking on Slovakia and Russia and the Czech Republic renewing their heated rivalry. Check out Puck Worlds for game notes and follow the action here.
World Juniors Preliminary Round Recap
We're about to start the medal rounds at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, but before we do, we're looking back at the preliminary round. Top players, scorers, goaltenders and game results are all here.
World Juniors GDT: New Year's Eve Specials
Today's the final day of preliminary round action at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, and there's plenty to be decided. Sweden and Russia battle for a semifinal bye, while three other games should be hotly contested as well, including Canada vs. USA.
Group of Death Claims the Americans
The USA are almost certainly out of medal contention after back-to-back upset losses at the hands of Finland and the Czech Republic. See why this result is both surprising, and yet not as far fetched as one might think.
World Juniors Day Five: Americans vs. Czechs Highlight Action
Day Five at the IIHF World Junior Championship sees a lot of intrigue, as the Americans face their biggest adversity in a must win game against the Czechs. Meanwhile, Sweden meets Slovakia, Finland plays Denmark, and Switzerland looks for their first win against Latvia.
Time To Give The WJC Minnows a Fair Shake
There was a lot of complaining about the quality of games on Thursday that saw Canada and Russia run up the scores on Denmark and Latvia. Here's a minor tweak that could help prevent some of the ugliness and keep the tournament's ten team format in check.
World Junior GDT Day Four: Blowouts Forecasted
Day Four of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship is projected to be a big letdown from the previous day's excitement, as the top seeds in each pool play the bottom seeds in the only two games on the schedule. Join us to see just how big the margin of victories will be.
World Junior GDT Day Three: Top Four Plays Next Four
Day Three of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships sees the top 8 nations of junior hockey face off against each other in four different games. Come here for the breakdown and discussion throughout the day.
World Junior GDT Day Two: Czechs and Slovaks Debut
Day Two of the IIHF World Junior Championships sees the Czechs and Slovaks make their debuts against Denmark and Latvia, respectively. Come join the discussion!
Injury Concerns Overshadow Day One's Blowouts
Injuries and high scoring was the story of Day 1 of the World Juniors. See how the injuries could effect the tournament down the line.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Russia
Russia are now the defending gold medallists at the IIHF World Junior Championship for the first time since 2004. See what their talented roster looks like as they try and go for a repeat of last year's amazing comeback performance.
World Junior GDT Day One: Four Games Kick Off the Tournament
Today is Game 1 of the IIHF World Junior Championship in Alberta, Canada, and there are four games to cover. Settle in here for the day and follow the action!
2012 World Junior Medal Predictions
As always, I have to stick my neck out and make some predictions when a major IIHF tournament comes around. Here's my predicted finish for the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Canada
The Canadian WJC team is always a force to be reckoned with, and 2012 doesn't look to be any different in that regard. Puck Worlds takes a look at the host's chances to re-claim the gold medal.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team America
The USA have been a force at the IIHF WJCs the past couple of years, and 2012 tournament looks no different. See how their roster breaks down as they look set to improve on last year's bronze medal finish.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Switzerland
Switzerland has made some noise at the past two IIHF World Junior Championships, and they look to advance out of the preliminary round for the third straight year in 2012. Here's a look at the chances of this improving hockey nation.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Czech Republic
The Czech Republic have fallen from being one of the leading nations in terms of junior hockey to a 'good but not good enough' status the past couple of years. Find out if they're good enough in 2012 in this preview.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Latvia
Latvia is bringing a younger lineup than we usually see to the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. Puck Worlds looks at their team and weighs their chances of success with a young, but promising group.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Finland
For the first time in a generation, Finland is coming to the World Juniors with a team loaded with offensive talent. See how we feel they'll fare in the 'Group of Death' with this talented roster.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Sweden
Sweden has been oh so close many times recently at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Puck Worlds examines whether the team can finally get over the hump in 2012 and take home the gold for the first time since 1981.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Slovakia
Slovakia has kept hanging in as a 'Top 8' nation at the IIHF World Juniors in recent years, barely avoiding relegation. Puck Worlds looks at their chances in 2012, and the changes that have been made in recent years to improve their fortunes.
2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Denmark
Denmark is an emerging hockey nation, with an improving junior program, but they'll still be making a rare appearance in the top group of the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship this holiday season. Puck Worlds looks at the Danish team, evaluating the roster and weighing the team's likelihood of achieving their goal of not finishing last.