World Junior A Challenge

Last updated
World Junior A Challenge
Most recent season or competition:
2024 World Junior A Challenge
World Jr A Logo.png
Sport Ice hockey
First season2006
Most recent
champion(s)		Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Most titlesFlag of the United States.svg  United States (10)
TV partner(s) TSN
Sponsor(s) Hockey Canada
Canadian Junior Hockey League
International Ice Hockey Federation
Related
competitions		 CJHL Prospects Game
Royal Bank Cup
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Official website World Junior A Challenge

The World Junior A Challenge (WJAC) is an annual under-20 international ice hockey tournament sponsored by Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The tournament showcases Junior A level players and is modeled after the IIHF World U20 Championships, which displays the best of all junior-aged hockey players. It has been hosted by Canadian cities every year in CJAHL markets.

Contents

The tournament has seen teams from Canada, the United States, Russia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Belarus, Denmark, Slovakia, Germany, and Latvia. Canada is represented by two regional squads; Canada West consists of players from the British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Superior International Junior Hockey Leagues, while Canada East features players from the Northern Ontario, Ontario, Central, Quebec, and Maritime Junior Hockey Leagues. American players are chosen from the United States Hockey League. Canada West captured the first two gold medals in tournament history, while the United States won the next three. Also, Russia, who has been with the tournament since the beginning, generally sends their Under-18 Team in place of a general select squad. [1] [2] [3]

History

Canada West's Justin Gvora with the first ever awarded WJAC Championship Trophy and Medallion (2006) WJAC Canada West with Trophy.jpg
Canada West's Justin Gvora with the first ever awarded WJAC Championship Trophy and Medallion (2006)

The tournament was created in 2006 through a proposal by the Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJHL prior to 2008) to Hockey Canada. The idea behind the tournament was to showcase players from Canadian Junior "A" to Canadian Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and National Hockey League scouts, while also exposing them to an international level and style of play.

The inaugural 2006 tournament was hosted in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, and featured six teams – Canada West, Canada East, Russia, Slovakia, Germany and Belarus. Both Canadian teams met in the final with Canada West defeating Slovakia 7-1 and Canada East defeating Russia 5-1 in their respective semifinals. Led by Kyle Turris, Canada West ran up a 4-0 tally against Canada East early in the game and held on for a 4-3 victory to win the first-ever WJAC championship.

The 2007 tournament was held in Trail, British Columbia. The United States joined the tournament for the first time, replacing Slovakia. [4] For the second straight year, Canada West defeated the East in the final.

Beginning in 2008, the United States began a string of dominance at the tournament. They defeated Canada West in the 2008 (Camrose, Alberta) and 2009 (Summerside, Prince Edward Island) finals before winning their third consecutive title against Canada East in 2010 (Penticton, British Columbia). The 2009 tournament featured newcomers Sweden, who sent a team in place of Germany. That year also marked the first time in tournament history that Canada East failed to medal. At the 2010 WJAC, Switzerland competed in place of Belarus.

The 2013 tournament was won by the United States, 4-1, over Russia. This instance marked the first time in tournament history that both Canada East and Canada West were shut out of the gold medal game.

In 2014, the tournament started being played in December as opposed to it usually taking place in early November. The 2014 tournament marked the first time in tournament history that neither Canadian team earned a medal, with Canada East losing the bronze to Russia.

In 2025, the tournament will be hosted in Trois-Rivières, the first time in the province of Quebec. [5]

Champions

YearGold medal icon.svg GoldSilver medal icon.svg SilverBronze medal icon.svg BronzeMVPHost city (cities)
2006 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of Russia.svg Russia Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg West (Kyle Turris) Flag of Saskatchewan.svg Yorkton, Humboldt & Canora [6]
2007 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg West (Mike Connolly) Flag of British Columbia.svg Trail & Nelson [7]
2008 Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of the United States.svg (Mike Cichy) Flag of Alberta.svg Camrose [8]
2009 Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Russia.svg Russia Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg West (Sean Bonar) Flag of Prince Edward Island.svg Summerside [9]
2010 Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland Flag of the United States.svg (Scott Mayfield) Flag of British Columbia.svg Penticton [10]
2011 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg East (Devin Shore) Flag of British Columbia.svg Langley [11]
2012 Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland Flag of the United States.svg (Vincent Hinostroza) Flag of Nova Scotia.svg Yarmouth [12]
2013 Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of the United States.svg (Nick Schmaltz) Flag of Nova Scotia.svg Yarmouth & Liverpool [13]
2014 Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of Denmark.svg (Nikolaj Ehlers) Flag of Saskatchewan.svg Kindersley [14]
2015 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg West (Tyson Jost) Flag of Ontario.svg Cobourg & Whibty [15]
2016 Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of Russia.svg (Andrei Svechnikov) Flag of Alberta.svg Bonnyville [16]
2017 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg West (Zach Rose) Flag of Nova Scotia.svg Truro [17]
2018 Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Russia.svg Russia Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of the United States.svg (Bobby Brink) Flag of Alberta.svg Bonnyville [18]
2019 Flag of Russia.svg Russia Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg East (Devon Levi) Flag of British Columbia.svg Dawson Creek [19]
2020Tournament cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. [20] Flag of Ontario.svg Cornwall [21]
2021Tournament cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. [22] Flag of Ontario.svg Cornwall [23]
2022 Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Flag of the United States.svg (Cole Knuble) Flag of Ontario.svg Cornwall [24]
2023 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg East (Trevor Hoskin) Flag of Nova Scotia.svg Truro [25]
2024 Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West Flag of Alberta.svg Camrose [26]
2025 Flag of Quebec.svg Trois-Rivières [27] [5]

All-time team records

Current as of 2023 Tournament [28]

TeamGPWOTWOTLLGFGAMedals
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 745364113481679 G, 1 S, 5 B
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada West 753776252822146 G, 3 S, 2 B
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 632964242171941 G, 3 S, 4 B
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada East 752847362322800 G, 8 S, 1 B
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 430101480 G, 1 S, 2 B
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 3063219911240 G, 0 S, 2 B
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 37103321881390 G, 0 S, 1 B
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 247131364880 G, 0 S, 1 B
Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 1731112541080 G, 0 S, 0 B
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 9201622420 G, 0 S, 0 B
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 122001034620 G, 0 S, 0 B
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 401034240 G, 0 S, 0 B

Particpation

Current as of 2024 Tournament [28]

CountryGold medal icon.svgSilver medal icon.svgBronze medal icon.svgTotalAppearancesFirstLast
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1015161620072024
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada West
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada East
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Total 		6
0
6		3
8
11		3
1
4		12
9
21		1720062024
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 13481420062019
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 0112620092024
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 0101120142014
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 0022720102017
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 0011820112019
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 0000220062023
Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 0000420062009
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 0000320062008
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 0000120222022

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russia men's national ice hockey team</span> Mens national ice hockey team

The Russian men's national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of Russia, overseen by the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia. As of 2021, they were rated third in the IIHF World Ranking. The team has competed internationally from 1992 until it was provisionally suspended in 2022, and is recognized by the IIHF as the successor to the Soviet Union team and CIS team. Russia has been one of the most successful national ice hockey teams in the world and a member of the so-called "Big Six," the unofficial group of the six strongest men's ice hockey nations, along with Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. The European nations of the Big Six participate in the Euro Hockey Tour, which Russia won nine times since 2005. Since September 2021, the head coach is Alexei Zhamnov, who took over from Valeri Bragin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IIHF World Junior Championship</span> Recurring ice hockey tournament for mens junior national teams

The IIHF World Junior Championship (WJC), sometimes referred to as World Juniors, is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world. It is traditionally held in late December, ending in early January. The tournament usually attracts the top hockey players in this age category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IIHF World U18 Championship</span> Recurring ice hockey tournament for mens U-18 junior national teams

The IIHF U18 World Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-18 ice hockey teams from around the world. The tournament is usually played in April and is organized according to a system similar to the Ice Hockey World Championships and the IIHF World Junior Championship. The tournament was first held in 1999.

The World Junior A Challenge 2007 was an international Junior "A" ice hockey tournament hosted by Hockey Canada. The 2007 World Junior A Challenge was hosted by the Canadian cities of Trail, British Columbia and Nelson, British Columbia from November 5 to November 11, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canada men's national junior ice hockey team</span>

The Canadian men's national under-20 ice hockey team is the ice hockey team representing Canada internationally in under-20 competition. Their primary participation in this age group comes at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Championship, held annually every December and January. The team also participates in various exhibition matches and occasional exhibition series, such as the 2007 Super Series against their Russian counterparts, an eight-game exhibition series commemorating the 35th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Ice Hockey Federation</span> Worldwide governing body for ice hockey

The International Ice Hockey Federation is a worldwide governing body for ice hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 84 member countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ice hockey in Russia</span>

Ice hockey in Russia is one of the most popular sports in the country.

The 2008 World Junior A Challenge was an international Junior "A" ice hockey tournament hosted by Hockey Canada. The 2008 World Junior A Challenge was hosted by the Canadian City of Camrose, Alberta from November 1 to November 9, 2008 at the Edgeworth Centre. The opening ceremony included a performance from Tom Cochrane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior Hockey League (Russia)</span> Hockey league in Russia

The Junior Hockey League (JHL) (Russian: Молодежная Хоккейная Лига (МХЛ), romanized: Molodezhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga), sometimes translated as the Minor or Youth Hockey League, is a major junior ice hockey league in Eurasia, founded in 2009. It currently consists of 33 teams from 3 countries. Currently, all teams but one are subsidiaries (feeder teams) of their respective KHL or VHL professional counterparts. A player's age cannot be older than 20. The Kharlamov Cup, named after star ice hockey player Valeri Kharlamov, is awarded annually as the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia's official Junior Championship, following a 16-team playoff at the end of the regular season.

The 2009 World Junior A Challenge was an international Junior "A" ice hockey tournament hosted by Hockey Canada. The 2009 World Junior A Challenge was hosted by the Canadian City of Summerside, Prince Edward Island from November 1 to November 8, 2009 at the Consolidated Credit Union Place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaden Schwartz</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Jaden Schwartz is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Schwartz was selected 14th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2010 NHL entry draft.

The Junior Club World Cup (JCWC) is an international junior ice hockey tournament sanctioned by IIHF. The first edition of the tournament took place between 30 August 2011 and 3 September 2011 in Omsk. It featured 8 teams from 8 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Junior Hockey League</span>

The National Junior Hockey League (NMHL) (formerly Junior Hockey League Division B) (Russian: Национальная молодежная хоккейная лига (НМХЛ)) is the second level of the Junior Hockey League, the KHL's junior ice hockey league. The B division was established in 2011 and the inaugural season was the 2011–12 season. A promotion and relegation system was in place between the MHL and MHL-B, where the bottom 2 teams at the end of the season of MHL were relegated to MHL-B and the 2 best MHL-B teams are promoted to MHL.

The 2013 World Junior A Challenge was an international Junior "A" ice hockey tournament organized by Hockey Canada. It was hosted in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, from November 4–10, 2013, at the Mariners Centre. The event included the 9th annual Canadian Junior Hockey League Prospects Game Challenge, marking the third time the two events have been paired together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia – Division I</span> International ice hockey competition

The 2014 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia – Division I was an international ice hockey competition played between 24 February and 2 March 2014 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colin White (ice hockey, born 1997)</span> American ice hockey player (born 1997)

Colin Andrew White is an American professional ice hockey center for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 21st overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2015 NHL entry draft. White has also previously played for the Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Montreal Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships</span> 2022 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

The 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 46th edition of the Ice Hockey World Junior Championship, held from 9 to 20 August 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The 2019 World Junior A Challenge was an international Junior "A" ice hockey tournament organized by Hockey Canada. It was hosted in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, from December 7–15, 2019, at the EnCana Events Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devon Levi</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 2001)

Devon Levi is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL).

References

  1. ↑ "Мировой Кубок Вызова 2009/2010 - Юниорская сборная до 18 лет (webcitation.org)" (in Russian). FHR. Archived from the original on February 12, 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Мировой Кубок Вызова 2010/11 - Юниорская сборная до 18 лет (webcitation.org)" (in Russian). FHR. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Мировой Кубок Вызова 2011/12 - Юниорская сборная до 18 лет (webcitation.org)" (in Russian). FHR. Archived from the original on January 5, 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  4. ↑ News
  5. 1 2 "Three host communities announced for fall 2025 events". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "2006 World Junior A Challenge - Schedule, Results & Rosters". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  7. ↑ "2007 World Junior A Challenge - Schedule, Results & Rosters". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "2008 World Junior A Challenge - Schedule, Results & Rosters". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "2009 World Junior A Challenge - Schedule, Results & Rosters". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "2010 World Junior A Challenge - Schedule, Results & Rosters". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "2011 World Junior A Challenge - Schedule, Results & Rosters". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  12. ↑ "2012 World Junior A Challenge - Schedule, Results & Rosters". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  13. ↑ "2013 World Junior A Challenge Schedule". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  14. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2014 World Junior A Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  15. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2015 World Junior A Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  16. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2016 World Junior A Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  17. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2017 World Junior A Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  18. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2018 World Junior A Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  19. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2019 World Junior A Challenge" . Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  20. ↑ "Hockey Canada statement announcing Fall 2020 event rescheduling". Hockey Canada.
  21. ↑ "World Junior A Challenge heads to Cornwall in 2020". Hockey Canada.
  22. ↑ "Hockey Canada statement announcing Fall event cancellations". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "Hockey Canada statement announcing Fall 2020 event rescheduling". Hockey Canada.
  24. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2022 World Junior A Challenge". Hockey Canada. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  25. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2023 World Junior A Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  26. ↑ "Schedule and Scores - 2024 Junior A World Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  27. ↑ "2025 Junior A World Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  28. 1 2 "2024 GUIDE & RECORD BOOK" (PDF). Hockey Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.