World Juniors: December 31, 2015 -- Canada vs Sweden

Canada's tournament blue print hasn't quite gone according to plan, a first game loss to their North American Rivals from the USA was the first indication that there was work to be done still, a tough loss that was followed by match ups with the Danes and the Swiss both of which at times left Canadian fans a tad nervous.

The former were eventually taken care of fairly effectively, while the the latter provided another challenging affair, a match up that required a Shoot out before Canada could improve on its record over three games.

For New Years Eve, the Canadians face perhaps the most strenuous test yet, a match up with the undefeated Swedish  squad currently ruling the roost atop the World Junior placements, with a total of 9 Points on their tournament so far with 14 Goals For and but three against.

Canada currently sits third in Group A Play chasing the USA by one point, holding off the Danes by Two heading into Thursday's play.  Their third spot is most likely to be the resting spot as the opening round comes to an end, regardless of how they fare against Sweden.

While Canada decides on how best to approach the Group leaders, the US will be taking on Denmark and considering the ruthless efficiency that the US exhibited on Wednesday with the Swiss, it seems likely that the Danes will face much the same fate by the time everyone makes their New Year's Eve plans following Tournament play.

And while they keep a focus on the work at hand, Canada's scouting group will no doubt be keeping a watchful eye on the Group B matches, making plans for the opening round of the elimination round to come up on January 2nd.

The early round struggles have highlighted some of the areas to be addressed as Canada worked its way through the first 3 games, the Swedish game may be a good measuring stick as to whether they have taken note of their weak spots. The points less important today than the positional play and the ability to keep to the plan ahead, should they not resolve some of those issues, the trip to Helsinki may not provide for quite the outcome that they may have anticipated when the departed from Canada.


Sweden 5 vs Canada 2  summary 

  
Post Game Notes:
December 31 -- Canada's world junior loss to Sweden a forgettable finish to 2015
December 31 -- Canada looking ahead after being blown out by Swedes
December 31 -- Canada struggles to find its game in loss to Sweden at 2016 world juniors

Preview Notes:

Five things to watch at the Canada-Sweden world juniors game
Mackenzie Blackwood standing tall in goal for Team Canada
Team Canada rallies behind coach mourning father's death
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner ‘still finding his way’ with Team Canada at 2016 world juniors
Dominique Ducharme, Team Canada's assistant coach, to remain in Finland after father's passing
Canada's Mitch Marner struggling to make impact

World Juniors December 29 -- Canada vs Switzerland

Canada turned a page from their disappointment of game one in their loss to the USA, making the most of their scoring opportunities in their second appearance at the World Junior Championships on Monday.

Denmark provided the tune up competition for Canada on Monday and with 56 shot on net, the Canadians clearly worked out a few of their offensive plans over the sixty minutes of play.

Team Canada will be looking to improve their record on Tuesday, as they take on the Swiss in game three of the Finnish adventure for the Canadians.

Making the most of their Monday match up with the Danes and using the rhythm that they developed Canada will be seeking to take the play to a Swiss team that has a few problems of their own in these early days of the World Juniors.

One key concern for fans of the Swiss is a short handed situation of their own making following their earlier suspension troubles against Sweden in game one. That however may not give the Swiss pause to reduce the hard hitting nature of their game, which at times resembles the more physical play found in Canadian junior rinks.

And if the Swiss hope to find success against the Canadians, that is probably their best strategy, while hoping to avoid to many penalties that may provide power play opportunities for their competitors.

The Swiss will be well rested, having had Monday off at the Tournament, while a Canadian who has had some significant downtime in recent days may finally see his first bit of action in the tournament.

Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has served his eight game OHL suspension, honoured by the IIHF and if they wish the Canadian coaching staff can bring him into the tournament with the Swiss match up.

Rested as he is and considered to be one of the top goaltenders to arrive in the tournament, Blackwood if he gets the nod will handed the task of shutting down the Swiss while Canada's offensive units look to pick up where they left off on Monday with the Danes.



Switzerland 2 vs Canada 3    summary  Overtime Shootout

  
Post Game Notes:

December 29 -- Brayden Point, Canada's world junior captain, a 'guy who knows how to win'
December 29 -- Canada needs shootout to defeat Swiss at world junior
December 29 -- Canada survives shootout to edge Switzerland
December 29 -- Matt Barzal's shootout winner leads Canada over swiss at world juniors
December 29 -- Canada defeats Switzerland after world juniors shootout
December 29 -- Five key moments in Canada's win over Swiss at world juniors

Preview Notes:

December 28 -- Five things to watch in Canada vs. Switzerland
December 28 -- Canada back on track with win over Denmark

World Juniors December 28: Canada vs Denmark

Team Canada looks to regroup after their opening day loss to the USA at the World Junior Tournament, with Denmark providing the opposition in Game Number Two from Finland.

For the Danes the match up provides an opportunity to build on their first ever regulation time victory at the World Junior tournament, having defeated the Swiss 2-1 on Sunday.

A game which saw the Danes taking advantage of the short bench that the Swiss had owing to a string of suspensions from Boxing Day play against the Swedes, still Denmark was still full value for a win which provided for the first real upset for the 2015-16 tournament.

And while many would suspect it unlikely that the Danish juniors are about to launch an undefeated streak, there's something about getting your first win in a tournament (in this case ever) that could put a bit of an extra push on the ice.

Something that the Canadian team will want to be watchful for in the early stages, though for the most part it would seem that Monday's game will provide an opportunity for the Canadians to correct their miscues of Boxing Day and develop a more consistent bit of play through all three periods.

Denmark 1 vs Canada 6  summary   

Post Game Notes:

December 28 -- Six different scorers help Canada rout Denmark
December 28 -- Canada's line changes spark offence
December 28 -- Canada fires 58 shots in win over Denmark
December 28 -- Canada back on track with win over Denmark
December 28 -- Marner, Strome lead Canada to 6-1 win over Denmark
December 28 -- Canada builds confidence in thrashing of Danes
December 28 -- Canada survives early scare to defeat Denmark 6-1 at world juniors
December 28 -- Five key minutes from Canada's win over Denmark at world juniors




Preview Notes:

December 27 -- Jake Virtanen loving his time in Finland at world juniors for Canada
December 27 -- Canada counting on Perlini as a top line fit
December 27 -- 5 things to watch in Canada vs. Denmark
December 27 -- Canada focused on generating more offence
December 27 -- Brendan Perlini to join Dylan Strome, Mitch Marner on Canada's top line
December 27 -- Perlini to join Strome, Marner on top line
December 27 -- Canada seeks lessons from opening loss to U. S. at world junior tournament

Holiday's aren't complete without the Spengler Cup

It's a tournament sometimes best known for the strategic placement of the sponsor's automobiles (which we imagine come with some form of an additional insurance rider to the policy) but as the years have moved forward, the hockey has become the story.

The Spengler Cup which like the World Junior Tournament dominates the hockey scene during the final week of December and into January brings the wide collection of hockey players currently playing the game in Europe these days.

The Davos hosted tournament launches on Boxing Day with two games and carries through until the New Years Eve showdown to declare the winner.

Six teams are taking part including Team Canada made up mainly of Canadians playing in Europe with some reinforcements arriving from the AHL for the holiday tournament.

Other teams set for puck drop include Adler Mayhem, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, HC Lguano, Jokerit Helsinki  and host HC Davos.

The Team Canada Spengler Roster was announced earlier this week Guy Boucher is the head coach for Team Canada, while George McPhee has been the GM putting the squad together.

Spengler Website
Hockey Canada Website

Team Canada 2015 Spengler Cup Champions

Scores from tournament play can be found below:

The Final
Thursday, December 31

Team Canada 4 vs HC Lugano 3 summary

Game Notes:  Team Canada vs HC Lugano

January 1 -- D'Agostini nets winner as Canada takes Spengler Cup
December 31 -- Team Canada edges HC Lugano 4-3 in a thrilling final
December 31 -- D'Agostini scores winner as Canada beats HC Lugano in Spengler Cup Final
December 31 -- Canada runs table to win 2015 Spengler Cup
December 31 -- Canada wins Spengler Cup on Matt D'Agostini goal
December 31 -- Canada beats HC Lugano 4-3 to lift Spengler Cup



The Semi Finals
Wednesday December 30

Team Canada 6 vs HC Davos 5  summary
HC Lugano 3 vs Yekaterinburg 0  summary

Game Notes:  Team Canada vs HC Davos

December 30 -- Canada rallies past HC Davos to reach final
December 30 -- Canada rallies against HC Davos to clinch berth in Spengler Cup Final
December 30 -- Teams Honor the classic
December 30 -- Canada rallies into Spengler Cup final

Tuesday, December 29

Jokerit Helsinki 4 vs HC Davos 5  summary  OT
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg 3 vs Adler Mannheim 1  summary

Monday, December 28

Jokerit Helsinki  6 vs HC Lugano 4  summary  
HC Davos  0 vs Canada 2 summary

Game Notes Team Canada vs Davos:

December 28 -- Canada reaches semifinals at Spengler Cup after blanking HC Davos
December 28 -- Canada advances to semifinals with victory over HC Davos
December 28 -- Team Canada get a shutout and remain undefeated
December 28 -- Canada beats HC Davos to advance at Spengler Cup

Sunday, December 27 

Jokerit Helsinki 3 vs Adler Mahheim 5  summary  
HC Davos vs 1 Avtomobilist Yekaterinburgh 5 summary 

Saturday, December 26


HC Lugano 6 vs Adler Mannheim 3  summary
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg 1 vs Team Canada 2  summary

Game Notes Team Canada vs Yekaterinburg:

December 26 -- Cory Conacher nets winner as Canada beats Yekaterinburg
December 26 -- Team Canada ruins Yekaterinburgh's premiere
December 26 -- Canada opens Spengler Cup with victory
December 26 -- Canada wins opening game in Spengler Cup


Notes on the tournament can be found below through until the Final game.

December 30 -- Canada rallies past HC Davos to reach final
December 30 -- Canada rallies against HC Davos to clinch berth in Spengler Cup Final
December 30 -- Teams Honor the classic
December 30 -- Power Hockey lifts Lugano to Final
December 30 -- Canada rallies into Spengler Cup final
December 29 -- KHL Russians Down Adler Mannheim
December 29 -- Overtime propels Davos to the Semi Finals
December 28 -- Team Canada get a shutout and remain undefeated
December 28 -- Jokerit wins the nail-biter against Lugano
December 28 -- Practice with the Spengler Cup Stars
December 27 -- Yekaterinburg dismantles Host Davos
December 27 -- Mannheim Disheartens Jokerit
December 26 -- Ice-Hockey Festival begins with a spectacular array of goals
December 26 -- Team Canada ruins Yekaterinburg's Premiere
December 25 -- Anticipation of the First Puck Throw-In
December 24 -- Lugano has a Swedish Goalie
December 24 -- "We have everything we need to be a successful team"
December 23 -- Canada's Spengler cup roster features plenty of NHL experience
December 23 -- Winnipegger to play for Canada at Spengler Cup
December 23 -- Aaron Johnson, James Sheppard members of Canada's Spengler Cup team
December 23 -- MacIntyre returning to play for Canada at Spengler Cup
December 22 -- Underdog role a reality for Canada
December 22 -- Canadian Spengler Cup coach Guy Boucher says 'odds are against us'

World Juniors December 26: Canada vs USA

Our look at the opening match up for the 2015-16 World Junior Championship, with Team Canada taking on the United States to launch this years defence of Canada's status as Champions.


United States 4 vs Canada 2   (summary)

Post Game Notes:

December 27 -- Team USA coach Ron Wilson slams TSN at world juniors
December 27 -- Canada seeks lessons from opening loss to U. S. at world junior tournament
December 26 -- White, Werenski, Matthews push U. S. past Canada in World Juniors opener
December 26 -- U. S. forward Alex DeBrincat ejected for spear vs. Canada
December 26 -- USA's DeBrincat tossed from World Juniors Opener for spearing
December 26 -- Belpedio, Matthews lead USA past Canada at WJC
December 26 --  Team Canada loses world junior opener to Team USA
December 26 --  Team Canada: Five moments that mattered in loss to U. S.
December 26 -- U. S. defeats Canada 4-2 at world juniors
December 26 -- Mistake has Canada's Hicketts hanging his head
December 26 -- Marner, Strome live up to hype in Canada's loss to U. S.
December 26 -- Canada stumbles in opening loss to U. S. at WJC


Preview Notes:

December 25 -- World Junior Breakdown Canada vs. U. S.
December 25 -- Canada plans to be relentless at world juniors, takes on U. S. in opener
December 25 -- Canada faces early challenge in archival United States
December 25 -- All eyes on USA's Auston Matthews at world juniors
December 25 -- Relaxed Ron Wilson happy to be behind a bench again, coaching hockey
December 25 -- Ron Wilson happy to be back behind bench, coaching U. S. world junior team
December 25 -- Top 5 contenders for junior hockey supremacy
December 23 -- Will Canada's team at 206 world juniors be as good as last years?
December 23 -- Final Team USA World Junior roster has 12 NCAA connections
December 20 -- American Auston Matthews could be the biggest obstacle between Canada and World Junior Gold

Overall Tournament notes can be found here.

The World Juniors 2015-16

Boxing Day brings a bonanza for hockey fans with the annual tradition of the World Junior Tournament launching a holiday season filled with flying pucks, rattling body checks, spectacular saves and goals, goals, goals.

Helsinki is the host for this years event which sees defending Champions Canada looking to keep that dominance in Junior Hockey part of the news cycle for this 2015-16 edition.

The full schedule for the World Juniors can be found below, updated each day with the results from the competition. As well, snapshots of the Tournament can be view through the links below the rolling scoreboard through to New Years Day.

Items specific to Team Canada will also be found, featuring previews and recaps of each game and other notes of interest related to each game of the tournament. Just click on the preview/review beside each match up for Team Canada through the tournament to find that expanded look at their time in Finland.

The lead up to the tournament, with pre tournament scores and items of interest can be found here.

Time now to "Drop the Puck", or as they're putting it on TSN these day "Here We Go"

IIHF  World Junior's Tournament Site
Hockey Canada Site
TSN World Juniors Site

January 5

Gold Medal Game
Finland 4 vs Russia  3  Overtime ( summary )
Finland wins the Gold Medal, Russia claims Silver

Bronze medal Game
Sweden 3 vs USA 8  ( summary )
USA receives the Bronze Medal

January 4

Semi Finals 

Sweden 1 vs Finland 2 summary 
Russia 2 vs USA 1 summary 

January 3

Belarus 2 vs Switzerland 6  summary

January 2

Switzerland 5 vs Belarus 1 summary

Russia 4 vs Denmark 3  summary  OT
Russia Advances to Semi Finals 

Sweden 6 vs Slovakia 0  summary
Sweden Advances to Semi Finals 

Finland 6 vs Canada 5   (Preview/Review)
Finland advances to Semi Finals 

USA 7  vs Czech Republic 0  summary
USA advances to Semi Finals

December 31
Russia 2 vs Slovakia 1 summary
Denmark 1 vs USA 4 summary
Finland 5 vs Czech Republic 4 summary
Canada 2 vs Sweden 5 (Preview/Review)

December 30 

Czech Republic 5 vs Belarus 3  summary
Sweden 5 vs Denmark 0   summary
Slovakia 3 vs Finland 8  summary
USA 10 vs Switzerland 1 summary 

December 29 

Belarus 1 vs Russia 4   summary 
Switzerland 1 vs Canada 2   (Preview/Review) OT Shoot out 

December 28

Slovakia 0 vs Czech Republic 2  summary 
Sweden 1 vs USA 0   summary 
Russia 6 vs Finland 4  summary 
Canada 6 vs Denmark 1 (Preview/Review)

December 27 

Belarus 2 vs Slovakia 4  summary
Switzerland 1 vs Denmark 2   summary

December 26 

Czech Republic 1 vs Russia 2 ( summary )  
Switzerland 3 vs  Sweden 8 ( summary )
Finland 6 vs Belarus 0 ( summary )
USA  4 vs Canada 2  (Preview/Review)



Overall Tournament Notes:

January 3 -- How the teams are shaping up ahead of world junior semifinals
January 3 -- Previewing the world Junior Semi-finals
December 27 -- Trek to world junior a treat for Canadians
December 26 -- Alcohol banned from stands at world junior hockey championship
December 26 -- World Junior hockey fans banned from drinking booze in stands
December 26 -- Team Canada's fans new reality: No beer in Helsinki stands
December 26 -- Toronto sports fans will have a lot on their plat next year
December 26 -- World Junior success not guarantee of NHL career
December 25 -- Which nation is the team to beat at 2016 World Junior Hockey Tournament?
December 25 -- None players to watch at world juniors
December 25 -- Top Five Contenders for Junior Hockey Supremacy
December 24 -- Team Canada names Point captain
December 24 -- Team by Team look at world juniors
December 23 -- Will Canada's team at 2016 World Juniors be as good as last years? 10 questions ahead of the tournament

Pool A

Canada

January 3 -- Hockey Canada vows to right what went wrong at world juniors
January 3 -- Hockey Canada prez throws Team Canada under bus
January 3 -- Hockey Canada backs Dave Lowry, coaching staff
January 3 -- Canadians lacked ‘maturity as a group’ in quarter-final loss to Finland at world juniors: Hockey Canada president
January 3 -- Hockey Canada head Tom Renney defends world junior coaching staff
January 3 -- Canada can’t expect annual dominance at world juniors when its development program can’t compete with other nations
January 3 -- Canada's well-earned hockey smugness affords juniors a quiet exit
January 3 -- Team Canada 'had to pay the price": Wilson
January 3 -- Team USA coach Ron Wilson says Canada took too many penalties
January 2 -- Canada just couldn't get it together at world juniors
January 2 -- Doping test keeps Canada's Hicketts at world junior arena
January 2 -- Canada's run for World Junior glory ends as Finland wins 6-5
January 2 -- Canada-Finland: Five moments that mattered in quarter final loss
January 2 -- Canada's loss to Finland ins't the edge of the world
January 2 -- Canadian players feeling 'terrible', frustrated following early world junior exit
January 2 -- Canada outclassed by Finland in WJC quarter-final
January 1 -- Team Canada 'excited' ahead of elimination game at world juniors
January 1 -- Finland's talented prospects pose a problem for Canada at World Juniors
January 1 -- 8 things we've learned from the world junior so far
January 1 -- Areas of concern for 'underdog' Team Canada
January 1 -- Underdog Canada facing 'adversity' against host Finland at world juniors
January 1 -- Finland's mighty youngsters could create headaches for Canada
December 31 -- Canada's world junior loss to Sweden a forgettable finish to 2015
December 31 -- Canada looking ahead after being blown out by Swedes
December 31 -- Canada struggles to find its game in loss to Sweden at 2016 world juniors
December 31 -- Canada faces Finland in world junior quarter-finals under a raft of unanswered questions
December 29 -- Brayden Point, Canada's world junior captain, a 'guy who knows how to win'
December 29 -- Canada needs shootout to defeat Swiss at world junior
December 29 -- Canada survives shootout to edge Switzerland
December 29 -- Matt Barzal's shootout winner leads Canada over swiss at world juniors
December 29 -- Switzerland gives Canada a scare at world juniors
December 29 -- Canada defeats Switzerland after world juniors shootout
December 29 -- Five key moments in Canada's win over Swiss at world juniors

December 28 -- Canada back on track with win over Denmark

December 28 -- Marner, Strome lead Canada to 6-1 win over Denmark
December 28 -- Canada builds confidence in thrashing of Danes
December 28 -- Canada survives early scare to defeat Denmark 6-1 at world juniors
December 28 -- Five key minutes from Canada's win over Denmark at world juniors
December 28 -- Canadian juniors praise fan support on Twitter and in stands
December 27 -- Jake Virtanen loving his time in Finland at world juniors for Canada
December 27 -- Canada counting on Perlini as a top line fit
December 27 -- 5 things to watch in Canada vs. Denmark
December 27 -- Canada focused on generating more offence
December 27 -- Brendan Perlini to join Dylan Strome, Mitch Marner on Canada's top line
December 27 -- Team USA coach Ron Wilson slams TSN at world juniors
December 27 -- Plenty of Canadian fans make the trek to Finland to cheer on Team Canada at world junior championship
December 27 -- Canada seeks lessons from opening loss to U. S. at world junior tournament
December 26 -- White, Werenski, Matthews push U. S. past Canada in World Juniors opener
December 26 -- Mistake has Canada's Hicketts hanging his head
December 26 -- U. S. forward Alex DeBrincat ejected for spear vs. Canada
December 26 -- USA's DeBrincat tossed from World Juniors Opener for spearing
December 26 -- Marner, Strome live up to hype in Canada's loss to U. S.
December 26 -- Canada falls to U. S. in tourney opener
December 26 -- Canada stumbles in opening loss to U. S. at WJC
December 26 --  Team Canada loses world junior opener to Team USA
December 26 --  Team Canada: Five moments that mattered in loss to U. S.
December 26 -- U. S. defeats Canada 4-2 at world juniors
December 25 -- Five things to watch during Canada-US world junior championship game
December 25 -- Canada plans to be relentless at world juniors, takes on U. S. in opener
December 25 -- Canada faces early challenge in archival United States
December 25 -- Past world junior stars share advice with this year's Team Canada
December 24-- Expect a balance attack from Canada

United States

January 4 -- Auston Matthews focuses on team after U. S. exits world juniors
January 2 -- U. S. defeats Czech Republic 7-0 in World Junior quarter-finals
January 2 -- Team USA crushes Czech Republic in world junior quarter-final play
January 2 -- U. S. playing the way Canada should have
December 28 -- Alex Nylander leads Sweden to win over U. S. at world juniors
December 28 -- Sweden beats U. S. to stay perfect at world juniors
December 28 -- Sweden beats U. S. 1-0 at world juniors as Soderstrom makes  46 saves
December 27 -- Team USA coach Ron Wilson slams TSN at world juniors
December 26 -- White, Werenski, Matthews push U. S. past Canada in World Juniors opener
December 26 --  Team Canada loses world junior opener to Team USA
December 26 --  Team Canada: Five moments that mattered in loss to U. S.
December 26 -- USA off to promising start at world juniors after win against Canada
December 26 -- U. S. forward Alex DeBrincat ejected for spear vs. Canada
December 26 -- USA's DeBrincat tossed from World Juniors Opener for spearing
December 26 -- Canada falls to U. S. in tourney opener
December 26 -- Belpedio, Matthews lead USA past Canada at WJC
December 26 -- U. S. defeats Canada 4-2 at world juniors
December 25 -- Five things to watch during Canada-US world junior championship game
December 25 -- All eyes on USA's Auston Matthews at world juniors
December 25 -- Ron Wilson happy to be back behind bench, coaching U. S. world junior team
December 25 -- Relaxed Ron Wilson happy to be behind a bench again, coaching hockey



Sweden

January 3 -- Sweden's Nylander out for rest of world juniors
January 3 -- 'Disappointed' William Nylander sent back to Toronto, ending his world juniors
January 3 -- Maple Leaf prospect William Nylander out for Sweden at world juniors
January 2 -- Sweden pounds Slovakia 6-0 for world juniors quarter-final win
December 28 -- Alex Nylander leads Sweden to win over U. S. at world juniors
December 28 -- Sweden beats U. S. to stay perfect at world juniors
December 28 -- Sweden beats U. S. 1-0 at world juniors as Soderstrom makes  46 saves
December 28 -- Nylander could still return to world juniors: Babcock
December 28 -- 'Big red flag' hanging over Leafs' Nylander
December 27 -- Swiss forward suspended three games for 'violently checking Nylander in the head'
December 27 -- Egli suspended three games for hit on Nylander
December 27 -- Switzerland's Chris Egli suspended for hit on William Nylander
December 27 -- Doctor hopes to have William Nylander back in world juniors
December 27 -- Doctors hopeful Nylander will be back
December 26 -- Nylander injured, Sweden routs Swiss
December 26 -- Leafs top prospect William Nylander takes shot to head in WJC game
December 26 -- Sweden's William Nylanders taken out by open-ice hit
December 26 -- Maple Leafs prospect William Nylander injured in world junior game
December 26 -- Finland, Russia, Sweden open world juniors on winning note

Denmark

December 27 -- 5 things to watch in Canada vs. Denmark
December 27 -- Denmark upsets Switzerland for First regulation win ever at World Juniors

Switzerland 

December 27 -- Swiss forward suspended three games for 'violently checking Nylander in the head'
December 27 -- Egli suspended three games for hit on Nylander
December 27 -- Switzerland's Chris Egli suspended for hit on William Nylander

Pool B


Russia

January 2 -- Kamenev leads Russians past Denmark 4-3 in world junior quarter finals
December 26 -- Russia edges Czech Republic in shootout
December 26 -- Finland, Russia, Sweden open world juniors on winning note

Slovakia



Czech Republic

December 28 -- Pastrnak a player to watch at world junior
December 26 -- Bruins release Pastrnak to WJC team
December 26 -- Russia edges Czech Republic in shootout

Finland

January 4 -- Host Finland advances to world junior hockey final with 2-1 win over Sweden
January 2 -- Canada-Finland: Five moments that mattered in quarter final loss
January 2 -- Canada outclassed by Finland in WJC quarter-final
January 1 -- Team Canada 'excited' ahead of elimination game at world juniors
January 1 -- Finland's talented prospects pose a problem for Canada at World Juniors
January 1 -- Areas of concern for 'underdog' Team Canada
January 1 -- Underdog Canada facing 'adversity' against host Finland at world juniors
January 1 -- Finland's mighty youngsters could create headaches for Canada
December 29 -- Marlies' Kasperi Kapanen grateful to play for Finland at world juniors
December 26 -- Puljujarvi, Finland rout Belarus at WJHC
December 26 -- Finland, Russia, Sweden open world juniors on winning note



Belarus

December 27 -- Belarus goalie Ivan Kulbakov suffers bizarre injury

Pre Tournament Results 2016

Team Canada has a couple of preliminary games set up to help this years squad adjust to the European experience, all part of the lead up to the Boxing Day launch of the World Juniors for 2016.

Results of their Pre Tournament games can be found below:

Wednesday, December 23
Team Canada 7 vs Sweden 6  summary

Sunday, December 20
Team Canada 1  vs Czech Republic 0 summary

Saturday, December 19
Team Canada 7 vs Belarus 1 summary


You can get some pre tournament background from our archive page here.

2016 World Junior Hockey Tournament Preview Page

It's one of the highlights of the Holiday season and one of the most watched of sporting events in Canada each year, an annual ritual for many that when the tourney is found away from North America as it is this year, makes for an interesting morning routine.

With Canadians (and a few Americans) putting the coffee on early and settling in for some high tempo hockey that offers up any number of story lines each year.

The World Juniors is in reality a two part festival of hockey, first and foremost one that takes the raw emotion of playing for your country and seeking to claim a championship, while a secondary aspect holds a fair amount of importance too, that being an auction if you will for those who are draft age eligible for the NHL draft in 2016.

Stand out players in the past have seen their stock rise sharply following a World Junior appearance, something not limited to North American players, the World Juniors provide a valuable measuring stick for NHL GM"s about lesser seen European players and those in the Russian system.

Performance either verifying what scouts have been saying or providing pause for six months down the road when tough decisions have to be made by NHL clubs.

Helsinki's Hartwell Arena
is the centre piece of this years
2016 World Junior Tournament

As we get closer towards the Boxing Day launch for the 2015-16 World Junior hockey championships from Finland, we'll offer up notes and observations about the tournament.

Collecting links from near and far to bring a sense of the lead up to the premier holiday tournament that there is for fans of hockey, an event that in recent years has provided TSN with some spectacular ratings numbers and long ago ripped the domination of the US college football finals from the Canadian television sports scene.

As part of our overview in the run up to the tournament launch, we'll provide our breakdown team by team for teams in both Pool A and Pool B.

Though to offer up some advance warning for those from Europe that occasionally check out our posts, we will be putting a particular focus on the North American teams heading to Finland to make their mark at this years event.

Once the tournament launches, we'll combine this Preview Page with our full Tournament coverage archive.

Tournament website

Hockey Canada website

Pre Tournament Schedule and Scores

Pool A

Canada


December 25 -- Five things to watch for Canada vs. United States
December 23 -- Will Canada's team at the 2-16 World Juniors be as good as lat year's? 10 questions ahead of the tournament
December 23 -- World Junior veterans say Canada needs to have fun to succeed
December 23 -- Canada faces early challenge in archrival U. S. at world juniors
December 23 -- Canada's Mitch Marner nets winner in wild 7-6 victory over Sweden
December 22 -- 2016 World Juniors in Finland a chance for Vancouver Canuck's Jake Virtanen to reconnect with his roots
December 20 -- Canada cuts four players to finalize world junior hockey championship roster ahead of tournament
December 20 -- Canada finalizes world junior hockey championship roster with four cuts
December 20 -- Canada cuts four to set world junior roster
December 19 -- What should go right or could go wrong for Canada at world juniors
December 19 -- Crouse, Point appear to be fine after injury scares
December 19 -- 'Well rounded game by the guys"
December 19 -- Canada beats Belarus in world junior tune-up
December 19 -- Strome picks up player of the game
December 19 -- Canada dumps Belarus in exhibition game
December 18 -- Canucks won't send McCann to World Juniors
December 18 -- Strome's game much like Ron Francis
December 18 -- 'Skill, skill, skill' has become Hockey Canada's new golden mantra
December 18 -- Fleury not taking anything for granted
December 17 -- Holiday for Canada's World Juniors is over
December 17 -- Point's play making ability key for Canada
December 17 -- World Junior's should offer tantalizing glimpse of Leafs' future
December 16 -- Marner on his development, identity of Team Canada
December 15 -- Canada's coaches looking to develop 'best prepared team' for world juniors
December 14 -- Cuts to junior hockey team will ge more difficult: head coach (video)
December 14 -- Brayden Point's return from injury adds depth to Canada's junior team
December 13 -- Blackwood 'fortunate' to only miss two games at world juniors
December 13 -- Joe Hicketts eagerly awaits dynamic duo
December 13 -- Canada's world junior team cuts Dal Colle, Watson, Dubois, Chychrun
December 13 -- Team Canada's Anthony Beauvillier nets hat trick to lead world-junior squad to big win over CIS all-stars
December 13 -- Canada's work junior squad gains 'leadership and experience' with addition of Canucks' Jake Virtanen
December 13 -- Canucks' Jake Virtanen joins Canada's world Junior championship roster
December 13 -- Canucks loan Virtanen to world junior squad
December 12 -- Team Canada World Junior squad upset by CIS all-star team in exhibition game
December 12 -- Draft eligible Canadian juniors have plenty to prove
December 11 -- Hicketts goes into second Canadian junior camp with different perspective
December 11 -- Team Canada's Mitch Marner, Dylan Strome renew friendship on top line
December 11 -- Junior stars Mitch Marner, Dylan Strome getting closer all the time
December 11-- Canada's Dunn leaves world junior camp due to injury
December 10 -- Blackwood's suspension means third Canadian goalie for world Juniors
December 10 -- Canada's Joe Hicketts brings plenty of experience back for another round with world juniors
December 10 -- Top juniors will have to adapt to roles with Canada
December 10 -- Juniors about to discover Canada's net worth
December 9 -- Canada's golden 2015 World Junior team already making NHL impact
December 9 -- Defending world junior champions showing they're NHL-ready
December 9 -- Where are the players from Canada's 2015 world junior team now?
December 9 -- OHL suspends junior national goalie Blackwood for eight games
December 9 -- As Hicketts heads to world junior camp, Royals may be tempted to trade him
December 9 -- Team Canada prospects better pack their work ethic for camp
December 8 -- Team Canada takes hit with Blackwood suspension
December 7 -- WHL braces as teams set to lose talent to world junior squads
December 7 -- 2017 world junior tickets on sale in Montreal and Toronto
December 5 -- Boston University D-man and Flames prospect Brandon  Hickey heads to junior selection camp
December 4 -- Buffalo taking world junior tournament outdoors in 2018
December 3 -- Buffalo to include outdoor game at 2018 World Junior hockey championships
December 3 -- Buffalo to host 2018 World Jr. hockey championships and feature outdoor game
December 3 -- Buffalo to host 2018 world juniors
December 2 -- Calgary Flames prospects Brandon  Hickey, Mason McDonald go camping with Canada's world junior squad
December 2 -- Draft-eligible players could impact Team Canada
December 2 -- Canada welcomes Walman with open arms
December 1 -- Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner continues to impress with the London Knights: 'He's been doing amazing things with the puck'
December 1 -- Canada loads up on offence for world junior selection camp roster
December 1 -- Strome, Marner in running for place on Canada's junior hockey team
December 1 -- Strome, Marner headline Canada's world junior selection camp roster
December 1 -- Canada seeking talent, not role players when it comes to assembling world junior roster
December 1 -- Canada unveils world junior selection camp roster



United States


December 25 -- Relaxed Ron Wilson happy to be behind a bench again, coaching hockey
December 25 -- American Auston Matthews could be the biggest obstacle between Canada and world junior gold
December 20 -- Team USA's Auston Matthews playing like a man
December 20 -- Team USA expected to be a top contender at the world juniors even with some curious roster omissions
December 14 -- Portland Winterhawks forward Paul Bittner has hip surgery, out indefinitely
December 14 -- U. S. National Junior Team Camp Starts Tomorrow in Boston
December 14 -- Matthews excited to help U. S. prepare for 2016 WJC
December 8 -- Crookston's Paul Bittner selected to 2016 U. S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster
December 7 -- 2016 U. S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster set
December 7 -- Matthews tops U. S. World Junior camp invite list
December 7 -- Four Blue Jackets prospects named to Team USA's preliminary World Junior roster
December 7 -- Krys on USA Hockey preliminary roster for world juniors
December 7 -- Ryan Collins named to US World Juniors roster
December 7 -- Bittner named to U. S. world prelim roster
December 7 -- Matthews, Werenski highlight Team USA World Junior preliminary roster
December 4 -- Buffalo World Juniors announcement proof of hockey's rise in U. S.
December 4 -- Buffalo ready to host world spectacle
December 4 -- World Juniors hockey tournament returning to Buffalo in 2018
December 4 -- Buffalo taking world junior tournament outdoors in 2018
December 3 -- Buffalo to include outdoor game at 2018 World Junior hockey championships
December 3 -- Buffalo to host 2018 World Jr. hockey championships and feature outdoor game

Sweden

December 7 -- Nylander brothers invited to Sweden WJC camp
December 7 -- Nylanders earn world juniors shot with Sweden
December 4 -- Nylander hopeful for World Junior spot

Denmark



Switzerland 


Pool B


Russia

December 4 -- Regina Pat's Sergey Zborovskiy earns tryout with Russian world junior team

Slovakia



Czech Republic

December 14 -- Petes' Masin named captain of Czech Republic's national junior team
December 2 -- Czech Republic announces invites for WJC camp

Finland

December 10 -- Confidence key for Finnish draft prospect Laine
December 7 -- Top 2016 draft picks top Finland WJC camp roster


Belarus