World Junior Hockey The Canadian Dream
Canadian culture offers distinct opportunities to its kids. Perhaps it’s all that northern air that leads us down the traditional paths. If you’re a Canadian girl figure skating is likely your dream and if you’re a Canadian boy well of course it’s hockey. In fact World Junior Hockey is the Canadian Dream for youngsters.
World junior hockey has a quite a history. In the past 11 years Canada hasn’t managed to bring their dream home but 2006 the tides did change when Team Canada blew away the competition and brought home the gold with some outstanding playing!
The past 11 years have seen Russia dominate the junior hockey scene taking home 3 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals. They were quick to dash Canada’s hope for several years.
It’s uncertain what had changed for from 1990 to 1997 Canada took home the gold 7 times. In fact they took home the World Junior gold 5 times in a row. Now that’s pretty impressive. And then things began to slide. Now don’t get me wrong it’s not like they didn’t take home the silver or bronze through their rough period, they just didn’t take home their gold. And gold and juniors go together like hockey and Canada.
In 2004 the United States team took home their first ever world junior gold. The only other placements they had had were silver in 1997 and bronze in 1986 and 1992.
Back in 1987 the Finns saw the gold handed to them on a technicality that saw the Canadian team disqualified after a fight broke out with the Soviets. They also saw gold in 1998. 2002 was a silver year for Finland while 2003 and 2004 where bronze years.
Back in 1994 the Czechs started competing as a separate country. That meant the Slovakians went to the C pool but were able to return to the A pool in 1996 which was a nice accomplishment and in 1999 they took the bronze. The Czech Republic had a nice run in 2000 and 2001 but since then they haven’t been able to place.
Overall Sweden has not done well in the juniors since 1991 and 1996 when they took gold. Since then they’ve not managed to place any higher than fourth position.
Switzerland has qualified regularly and took the bronze home in 1998 and Belarus and Germany last qualified in 2003. Germany finished in ninth and Belarus in tenth.
2006 saw the Canadian dream once again come true. Brent Sutter’s philosophy of hard work and attention to detail combined with good old fashion teamwork is what saw Canada bring the gold home!
This gold medal means that Canada has now tied the Soviet Union for gold wins. And it’s the first time Canada has taken the gold home on home ice since 1995.
Many underestimated the skill level of this years team. This is a team that stuck together through thick and thin and gave it 110% all the time and Pogge needs to be commended on his 3 shutouts. In fact he now holds the title for the longest shutout streak in Canadian history. Way to go!
Twelve of this years team players qualify to play in next years tournament. Whether we see them chosen remains to be seen. But one things for certain the Canadian dream isn’t a dream anymore! It’s a reality this year with the World Junior Hockey gold coming home.
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