2020 IIHF World U-20 Hockey Championship
(Czech Republic) December 26th – January 5th
The World Juniors or the IIHF U-20 hockey tournament always starts the year off with an exciting
bang. This tournament is played in Canada almost every other year, since it is a huge media event
and Canada hockey makes the most money. Canada also agreed to revenue share with money to the
IIHF. So the old adage, “money talks” applies to hockey too.
bang. This tournament is played in Canada almost every other year, since it is a huge media event
and Canada hockey makes the most money. Canada also agreed to revenue share with money to the
IIHF. So the old adage, “money talks” applies to hockey too.
This year Czech Republic will host. The last time the Czech Republic hosted the Juniors was 2008
so it’s been 12 years. The host cities will be Ostrava’s Ostrava Arena (10,004) and Trinec’s Werk Arena
(5,200). These ice surfaces are the Olympic size, so they are bigger than the NHL, AHL and college
where many of the U-20 are playing now. These arenas are home to HC Vitkovice Ridera and HC Ocelari
Trinec hockey teams of the Czech Extraliga. The Czech Extraliga is the top pro league in Czech
Republic. This tournament has become very exciting where any one nation (power 5) can win and
the new future stars of the NHL are on full display. Though it has been usually one of the power 5 nations
of Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland or Russia. This has now become a very even tournament between
the Big 5. In the last 10 years Canada reached the final 5 times, Russia 4, Sweden 4, USA 4 and Finland 3.
so it’s been 12 years. The host cities will be Ostrava’s Ostrava Arena (10,004) and Trinec’s Werk Arena
(5,200). These ice surfaces are the Olympic size, so they are bigger than the NHL, AHL and college
where many of the U-20 are playing now. These arenas are home to HC Vitkovice Ridera and HC Ocelari
Trinec hockey teams of the Czech Extraliga. The Czech Extraliga is the top pro league in Czech
Republic. This tournament has become very exciting where any one nation (power 5) can win and
the new future stars of the NHL are on full display. Though it has been usually one of the power 5 nations
of Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland or Russia. This has now become a very even tournament between
the Big 5. In the last 10 years Canada reached the final 5 times, Russia 4, Sweden 4, USA 4 and Finland 3.
The philosophy for the USA is to roll 4 equal line and skate! skate! skate! USA hockey has developed very
good skaters that can now compete with the top nations in this sport. The USA is the least chippy team but
they get as many penalties. Although the USA didn’t win the 2019 Championship- they did have an excellent
tournament. They placed 2nd in their group. They knocked out Czech Republic 3-1 in the quarter finals. Then
they beat Russia 2-1 in the Semifinals. They played Finland in the Final and lost a tight game 3-2. The USA
has medaled in the last 4 Jr Championships including this one. An American Earned MVP honors 2 years in a row.
Ryan Poehling (2019) and Casey Mittelstadt was 2018’s MVP. More importantly the Americans also beat Russia
3 years in a row 2017, 2018 and 2019 in the knockout rounds. This is a huge change since the USA use to lose
quite consistently to Russia in both the group stage and knockout rounds. Russia knocked USA out the 3 previous
years in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
good skaters that can now compete with the top nations in this sport. The USA is the least chippy team but
they get as many penalties. Although the USA didn’t win the 2019 Championship- they did have an excellent
tournament. They placed 2nd in their group. They knocked out Czech Republic 3-1 in the quarter finals. Then
they beat Russia 2-1 in the Semifinals. They played Finland in the Final and lost a tight game 3-2. The USA
has medaled in the last 4 Jr Championships including this one. An American Earned MVP honors 2 years in a row.
Ryan Poehling (2019) and Casey Mittelstadt was 2018’s MVP. More importantly the Americans also beat Russia
3 years in a row 2017, 2018 and 2019 in the knockout rounds. This is a huge change since the USA use to lose
quite consistently to Russia in both the group stage and knockout rounds. Russia knocked USA out the 3 previous
years in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
I believe this is because of the USA training program has been refined over the years.
There is a much bigger concentration to skate and move the puck out of the zone on the transition game. This is
exactly the change in the NHL.
There is a much bigger concentration to skate and move the puck out of the zone on the transition game. This is
exactly the change in the NHL.
To date, Team USA has earned 12 podium finishes, including four gold medals (2004, 2010, 2013, 2017),
two silver medals (1997, 2019) and six bronze medals (1986, 1992, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2018). The United
States has medaled in seven of the last 10 years and has earned a podium finish in four consecutive years. We are
currently in the best-ever stretch in this tournaments history. Let’s enjoy it while we can
two silver medals (1997, 2019) and six bronze medals (1986, 1992, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2018). The United
States has medaled in seven of the last 10 years and has earned a podium finish in four consecutive years. We are
currently in the best-ever stretch in this tournaments history. Let’s enjoy it while we can
USA 2020 U-20 Team:
This year team USA gets a new head coach. It is none other than the biggest star in college hockey; Scott
Sandelin. Sandelin coaches the hottest team in college hockey Minn–Duluth. Minn Duluth has made it to
the last 3 national championship games winning the last 2 times. He is arguably the top college coach in
the country.
Sandelin. Sandelin coaches the hottest team in college hockey Minn–Duluth. Minn Duluth has made it to
the last 3 national championship games winning the last 2 times. He is arguably the top college coach in
the country.
Team USA will be selected in December. Again the USA should e able to roll 4 lines that can score.
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