International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship (WJC) is an annual international ice hockey tournament. The tournament features the best ice hockey players under the age of 20 from around the world, competing for their respective countries. The WJC is a highly anticipated event for ice hockey fans, and it provides an opportunity for young players to showcase their skills on an international stage.
History of the WJC
The first WJC was held in 1977 and featured just six teams. Since then, the tournament has grown in size and popularity. Today, the WJC features 10 teams divided into two groups: Group A (Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Germany) and Group B (United States, Sweden, Russia, Czech Republic, and Austria). The tournament is held annually from late December to early January.
Format of the WJC
The tournament begins with a preliminary round in which each team plays four games against the other teams in their group. The top four teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, which are single elimination games. The winners of the quarterfinals advance to the semifinals, and the winners of the semifinals play in the championship game.
The Importance of the WJC
The WJC is important for a number of reasons. For the players, it provides an opportunity to represent their country on an international stage, and it can also serve as a stepping stone to a professional career in ice hockey. For the fans, the tournament is an exciting opportunity to watch the best young ice hockey players in the world compete against each other. Additionally, the WJC has become an important event for NHL teams, as they use it as an opportunity to evaluate their prospects and potential draft picks.
The United States in the WJC
The United States has had a strong showing in the WJC in recent years. The team won gold in 2017 and 2013, and has medaled in four of the last six tournaments. Key players to watch for team USA include Jack Hughes, the number one overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft, and Trevor Zegras, who was selected ninth overall in the same draft.
How to Watch the WJC in the United States
The WJC is broadcast in the United States on the NHL Network. The network provides comprehensive coverage of the tournament, including live game broadcasts, highlights, and analysis. Some games may also be available for streaming on the NHL's streaming service, NHL.tv.
Conclusion
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship is an important event for ice hockey fans around the world. It provides a platform for young players to showcase their skills on an international stage, and it is also an exciting opportunity for fans to watch the best young players in the world compete against each other. For American fans, the tournament is a chance to cheer on team USA and watch the country's top young players in action.