IIHF World U20 Championship

IIHF World U20 Championship

The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship (colloquially known as the World Junior Hockey Championship, usually abbreviated WJHC or WJC) 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 the beginning of January.

The main tournament features the top ten ranked hockey nations in the world, comprising 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, or face relegation to a lower pool.

The 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships took place in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada with Sweden beating Russia in the gold medal match. The next tournament will take place in Ufa, Russia, in 2013.

Read more about IIHF World U20 Championship:  History, Participating Countries, Tournament Awards, Broadcast Coverage, Future Tournaments

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