The IIHF World Junior Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for national under-20 ice hockey teams. Traditionally held from late December to the beginning of January, the main tournament features the top ten ranked hockey nations in the "top division", from which a world champion is crowned. There are also three lower pools—Divisions I, II and III—that each play separate tournaments playing for the right to be promoted to a higher pool with the last place team facing relegation to a lower pool.[1]
Prior to the first official tournament held in 1977, there had been invitational tournaments in 1974, 1975 and 1976 not sanctioned by the IIHF.[2] There have been 49 official tournaments as of 2025, while the 2022 tournament was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] Historically, the tournament has been dominated by Canada (20 gold medals) and the Soviet Union/CIS/Russia (13 gold medals). The USSR won the first four official tournaments, while the Canadians put together five consecutive championships between 1993 and 1997, and another five consecutive from 2005 to 2009.
123During the final game of the tournament, Canada and the Soviet Union became engaged in a violent bench-clearing brawl while Canada was leading 4–2. Consequently, the game was declared null and void, and both teams were ejected from the tournament; while the Soviets were out of medal contention, Canada was playing for the gold medal and were guaranteed at least a bronze.[5][6]
↑Canada was hosting the tournament every 3 or 4 years. In 1990, Canada decided to switch years with Finland.
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Gold
Silver
Bronze
Soviet Union 
Finland 
Canada 
Sweden 
Czechoslovakia 
United States 
