2012 - 2013 IIHF Junior Hockey

[Mowich]

Well another World Junior tourney is over and once again Canada came away without a medal losing to the Russians in the Bronze medal game. Many congrats to the US team who are the Gold Medal champs this year - good on the US.

I do feel that players like Ryan, Jonathan, Mark and others did their best in the series. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was the top overall scorer in the tournament. Many people are dumping on the kids today but that is the nature of the game - you win some you lose some and nothing is a given. Congratulations to our kids for some really great hockey. :canada:

Watched the U-17 Gold Medal game yesterday. Very entertaining game as the Swedes and Russians traded goals back and forth for most of the game. The Swedish team finally managed to pull ahead in the 3rd and the Russians were unable to answer back. Sweden took the Gold for the first time in the tourney's history. Wonderful game, great entertainment.

 

[Spade]

In an era of hockey parity and a more-sophisticated international game, we cannot expect to win medals every year.

 

[talloola]

yes, its obvious that hockey is now a very international sport, and if we expected the europeans
and russians to always stay a step behind canada, then we are wearing blinders.

We strive and want our game to spread through u.s. and europe etc., we work very hard to help
the minor leagers get better, (who are from those countries), we send north american coaches
over there to help them develope their game, and many coaches stay there and coach.

Now the junior players are becoming very equal in many countries, and that is good for the
game.
If canadians keep criticizing their junior organization because they can't win all the time,
it will do nothing but hurt our hockey.

Our juniors are better than they have ever been, and so are the euros/russians.

Enjoy the hockey, enjoy the game, and appreciate all of the talent.

 

[talloola]

And of course I meant the americans as well in my last post, forgot all about them, lol.

 

[gopher]

A convincing win for my Yanks today. I understand we also won in younger age categories as well. This bodes well for the future of our game. It was a fun tournament as was last year & I am eagerly looking forward to more ...

Kudos to all the teams for their good work. And a special kudos to local hero Phil Housley for leading the <20 for victory today.