WHEN THE GAMES begin Dec. 26 in Gothenburg, a lot of players at the WJC will have the gold medal in mind – more than usual, in all likelihood. While the U.S. has the best team on paper, the Americans cannot simply waltz their way to gold since stiff competition abounds.
And while there has long been a ruling class at the world juniors, the pool of teams who could realistically win it all seems larger than ever. Canada’s depth is always an advantage, and even in years when the Canadians haven’t necessarily looked like a juggernaut, the style of play that Hockey Canada has perfected at international competitions in recent years is pretty hard to beat.
Having said that, the host Swedes have a lot to prove, and being on home…
You're reading a preview of
The Hockey News (Digital) - 1 Issue, World Juniors Special 2024