---Tournament Format---
The 40th IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships will be held in Helsinki, Finland from Dec 26 2015-Jan 5, 2015, featuring many of the world's top hockey talents under the age of 20 (eligible players were born between 1996-2001). Many of the players are prospects drafted by NHL teams, as well as a handful of the top draft-elibible prospects for 2016.
The tournament consists of two Groups, A and B, of 5 teams each. Each group plays their games at one of the two venues in a round robin format. The lowest ranked team from each group will be forced to play in the relegation round, a best of 3 set which will determine the nation relegated to the lower ranked Division I for the following season.
After the group rounds have completed, the 8 qualifying teams advance to the quarterfinals, and so on.
The tournament consists of two Groups, A and B, of 5 teams each. Each group plays their games at one of the two venues in a round robin format. The lowest ranked team from each group will be forced to play in the relegation round, a best of 3 set which will determine the nation relegated to the lower ranked Division I for the following season.
After the group rounds have completed, the 8 qualifying teams advance to the quarterfinals, and so on.
---Participants---
Notes: Participants are granted eligibility based on performance at past IIHF U20 tournaments. These are the 9 top teams from last year's World Junior Championships and the 1 team promoted from the IIHF Division I Championship (Belarus). Groups are determined through seeding from last year's tournament.
Medalists from the 2015 edition of the WJC were Canada (gold), Russia (silver), and Slovakia (bronze).
---Rules---
Games consist of 3 periods of 20 minutes each; if the score is tied after regulation, then games proceed to 4v4 sudden death overtime. The length of overtime is 5 minutes in the non-elimination round, and 10 minutes in the elimination and relegation rounds. If no goal is scored in overtime, then the winner shall be decided in a penalty shootout where each side gets no fewer than 3 attempts to score.
After the group round, seedings for the elimination round are determined by points standings. Regulation wins in the group round earn 3 points; non-regulation wins earn 2 points; non-regulation losses earn 1 point. Should teams be tied in the standings, the tiebreak procedure will use head-to-head performance and goal differential in the group round.
After the group round, seedings for the elimination round are determined by points standings. Regulation wins in the group round earn 3 points; non-regulation wins earn 2 points; non-regulation losses earn 1 point. Should teams be tied in the standings, the tiebreak procedure will use head-to-head performance and goal differential in the group round.
---Schedule---
Time zone notes: GMT+2 = PST+10 = EST+7 = CET+1 = EET
---Where to Watch?---
Canada: All games will be on TSN(1-5)
USA: USA's and select other games will be broadcast on the NHL Network
Europe: ???
USA: USA's and select other games will be broadcast on the NHL Network
Europe: ???
---Team Rosters---
Code:
[b]Belarus[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/BLR.jpg[/IMG]
Head Coach: Aleksandrs Belavskis
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Alexander Osipkov Yunost Minsk n/a
GK 25 Vladislav Verbitski Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
GK 31 Ivan Kulbakov Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
D 2 Alexander Tabolin Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
D 3 Pavel Vorobei Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
D 4 Stepan Falkovski Ottawa 67s n/a
D 5 Ilya Sushko Dynamo U20 Bobruisk Draft Eligible 2016
D 9 Vladislav Goncharov Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
D 14 Sergei Romanovich Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
D 24 Danil Bokun Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
F 6 Alexander Patsenkin Yunost Minsk n/a
F 8 Yegor Sharangovich Dynamo Raubichi Draft Eligible 2016
F 10 Dmitri Buinitski Dynamo Minsk n/a
F 11 Dmitri Filippovich Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
F 13 Alexei Busko Shakhtyor Soligorsk n/a
F 15 Grigori Veremyov Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
F 16 Alexei Patsenkin Yunost Minsk n/a
F 18 Ilya Bobko Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
F 19 Artemi Chernikov Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
F 22 Danila Karaban Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
F 23 Andrei Belevich Dynamo U20 Bobruisk n/a
F 26 Ruslan Vasilchuk Dynamo U20 Bobruisk Draft Eligible 2016
F 27 Vadim Malinovski Okanagan European Eagles n/a
[b]Canada[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/CAN.jpg[/IMG]
Head coach: Dave Lowry
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Mason McDonald Charlottetown Islanders Calgary Flames
GK 29 Mackenzie Blackwood Barrie Colts New Jersey Devils
GK 33 Samuel Montembeault Blainville-Boisbriand Armada Florida Panthers
D 2 Joe Hicketts Victoria Royals Detroit Red Wings
D 4 Haydn Fleury Red Deer Rebels Carolina Hurricanes
D 5 Thomas Chabot Saint John Sea Dogs Ottawa Senators
D 6 Brandon Hickey Boston University Calgary Flames
D 20 Roland McKeown Kingston Frontenacs Carolina Hurricanes
D 23 Travis Sanheim Calgary Hitmen Philadelphia Flyers
D 24 Travis Dermott Erie Otters Toronto Maple Leafs
F 9 Dylan Strome Erie Otters Arizona Coyotes
F 11 Brendan Perlini Niagara IceDogs Arizona Coyotes
F 12 Julien Gauthier Val-d'Or Foreurs Draft Eligible 2016
F 13 Mathew Barzal Seattle Thunderbirds New York Islanders
F 14 Rourke Chartier Kelowna Rockets San Jose Sharks
F 16 Mitchell Marner London Knights Toronto Maple Leafs
F 17 Travis Konecny Ottawa 67's Philadelphia Flyers
F 18 Jake Virtanen Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks
F 19 Brayden Point Moose Jaw Warriors Tampa Bay Lightning
F 21 Anthony Beauvillier Shawinigan Cataractes New York Islanders
F 22 John Quenneville Brandon Wheat Kings New Jersey Devils
F 27 Mitchell Stephens Saginaw Spirit Tampa Bay Lightning
F 28 Lawson Crouse Kingston Frontenacs Florida Panthers
[b]Czech Republic[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/CZE.jpg[/IMG]
Head coach: Jakub Petr
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Vítek Vaněček South Carolina Stingrays Washington Capitals
GK 2 Ale Stezka Sioux Falls Stampede Minnesota Wild
GK 30 Daniel Vladař Chicago Steel Boston Bruins
D 4 Ondrej Miklis Sparta Prague n/a
D 7 David Sklenička HC Plzen n/a
D 12 Alex Raner HC Olomouc n/a
D 20 Jakub Zbořil Saint John Sea Dogs Boston Bruins
D 23 Jan čotka HC Pardubice n/a
D 25 Filip Hronek HC Hradec Kralove Draft Eligible 2016
D 27 Dominik Maín Peterborough Petes Tampa Bay Lightning
F 9 David Pastrňák Boston Bruins Boston Bruins
F 10 Jiří Smejkal Moose Jaw Warriors n/a
F 11 imon Stránský" Prince Albert Raiders Draft Eligible 2016
F 13 Pavel Zacha Sarnia Sting New Jersey Devils
F 14 Filip Chlapik Charlottetown Islanders Ottawa Senators
F 15 Dominik Lakato Bili Tygri Liberec n/a
F 17 Jan Ordo Bili Tygri Liberec n/a
F 18 Michael paček Red Deer Rebels Winnipeg Jets
F 19 Radek Veselý Piráti Chomutov n/a
F 21 Daniel Voenílek HC Pardubice n/a
F 22 David Kae Piráti Chomutov Philadelphia Flyers
F 26 Tomá oustal Kelowna Rockets n/a
F 28 David Tomáek HC Pardubice n/a
[b]Denmark[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/DEN.jpg[/IMG]
Head Coach: Olaf Eller
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Mathias Seldrup Herning Blue Fox n/a
GK 30 Lasse Petersen Spokane Chiefs n/a
GK 31 Thomas Lillie Växjö Lakers n/a
D 2 Anders Krogsgaard Esbjerg Energy n/a
D 4 Ludvig Adamsen Surrey Eagles n/a
D 5 Matias Lassen Leksands IF n/a
D 6 Lasse Bo Knudsen Aalborg Pirates n/a
D 8 Nicolai Weichel Rungsted IK Draft Eligible 2016
D 12 Christian Mieritz Hamilton Bulldogs Draft Eligible 2016
D 15 Morten Jensen Rogle Angelholm n/a
F 9 Markus Jensen Herning Blue Fox n/a
F 10 Thomas Olsen Malmo Redhawks n/a
F 11 Kristian Jensen Lulea HF n/a
F 16 Jonas Røndbjerg Rungsted IK Draft Eligible 2017
F 17 Mathias From Rogle Angelholm Draft Eligible 2016
F 18 William Boysen Rungsted IK n/a
F 19 Nikolaj Krag Rodovre Mighty Bulls Draft Eligible 2016
F 20 Jeppe Jul Korsgaard Aalborg Pirates Draft Eligible 2016
F 23 Jeppe Holmberg Esbjerg Energy n/a
F 24 Niklas Andersen Spokane Chiefs Draft Eligible 2016
F 25 Søren Nielsen Esbjerg Energy n/a
F 27 Alexander True Seattle Thunderbirds n/a
F 28 Emil Christensen Rodovre Mighty Bulls n/a
[b]Finland[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/FIN.jpg[/IMG]
Head coach: Jukka Jalonen
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Kaapo Käkhönen Espoo Blues Minnesota Wild
GK 30 Veini Vehviläinen JYP Jyväskylä n/a
GK 31 Emil Larmi Peliitat Heinola n/a
D 2 Sami Niku JYP Jyväskylä Winnipeg Jets
D 3 Miro Keskitalo TPS n/a
D 4 Olli Juolevi London Knights Draft Eligible 2016
D 5 Eetu Sopanen Peliitat Heinola n/a
D 6 Joni Tuulola HPK Hameenlinna Chicago Blackhawks
D 7 Niko Mikkola KalPa St. Louis Blues
D 18 Vili Saarijärvi Flint Firebirds Detroit Red Wings
F 9 Jesse Puljujärvi Kärpät Oulu Draft Eligible 2016
F 10 Roope Hintz IFK Helsinki Dallas Stars
F 12 Kasper Björkqvist Espoo Blues n/a
F 13 Miska Siikonen Pelicans Lahti n/a
F 15 Mikko Rantanen San Antonio Rampage Colorado Avalanche
F 19 Aleksi Saarela Ässät Pori New York Rangers
F 20 Sebastian Aho Kärpät Oulu Carolina Hurricanes
F 21 Antti Kalapudas Kärpät Oulu n/a
F 23 Sebastian Repo Pelicans Lahti n/a
F 24 Kasperi Kapanen Toronto Marlies Toronto Maple Leafs
F 25 Julius Nättinen Barrie Colts Anaheim Ducks
F 28 Juho Lammikko Kingston Frontenacs Florida Panthers
F 29 Patrik Laine Tappara Tampere Draft Eligible 2016
[b]Russia[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/RUS.jpg[/IMG]
Head coach: Valeri Bragin
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Ilya Samsonov Metallurg Magnitogorsk Washington Capitals
GK 20 Maxim Tretiak Zvezda Chekhov n/a
GK 30 Alexandar Georgiyev TPS Turku n/a
D 2 Sergei Boikov Drummondville Voltigeurs Colorado Avalanche
D 3 Dmitri Sergeyev Kitchener Rangers n/a
D 4 Damir Sharipzyanov Owen Sound Attack n/a
D 9 Ivan Provorov Brandon Wheat Kings Philadelphia Flyers
D 15 Alexander Mikulovich Niagara IceDogs n/a
D 22 Yegor Voronkov HC Vityaz n/a
D 28 Yegor Rykov SKA 1946 St. Petersburg n/a
D 29 Nikita Zhuldikov Traktor Chelyabinsk n/a
F 7 Evgeny Svechnikov Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Detroit Red Wings
F 8 Andrei Svetlakov CSKA Moscow n/a
F 11 Maxim Lazarev Cape Breton Screaming Eagles n/a
F 12 Pavel Kraskovsky Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Winnipeg Jets
F 13 Alexander Polunin Lokomotiv Yaroslavl n/a
F 16 Vladislav Kamenev Milwaukee Admirals Nashville Predators
F 17 Kirill Kaprizov Metallurg Novokuznetsk Minnesota Wild
F 19 Radel Fazleyev Calgary Hitmen Philadelphia Flyers
F 21 Andrei Kuzmenko Zvezda Chekhov n/a
F 23 Artur Lauta Avangard Omsk n/a
F 25 Alexander Dergachyov SKA Saint Petersburg Los Angeles Kings
F 26 Yegor Korshkov Lokomotiv Yaroslavl n/a
[b]Slovakia[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/SVK.jpg[/IMG]
Head coach: Ernest Bokro
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Dávid Hrenák Orange 20 Bratislava Draft Eligible 2016
GK 2 Stanislav korvánek Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
GK 30 Adam Húska Green Bay Gamblers New York Rangers
D 3 Adrián Sloboda Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
D 5 Matej Moravčík Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
D 6 Patrik Koch Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
D 7 Ladislav Romančík Södertälje SK n/a
D 14 Erik Černák Erie Otters Los Angeles Kings
D 16 Patrik Maier Kamloops Blazers n/a
D 26 Christian Jaros Luleå HF Ottawa Senators
F 8 Matej Paločko Bílí Tygři Liberec n/a
F 9 Juraj ika Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
F 10 Dominik Briestenský Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
F 11 Radovan Bondra Vancouver Giants Chicago Blackhawks
F 12 Juraj Milý Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
F 15 Jozef Huňa Bílí Tygři Liberec n/a
F 17 Maro Surový Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
F 18 Boris Sádecký Orange 20 Bratislava Draft Eligible 2016
F 19 Matú Sukeľ Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
F 22 Kristián Pospíil Blainville-Boisbriand Armada n/a
F 23 Luká Hruík Orange 20 Bratislava n/a
F 27 Filip Leťan HV71 Jonkoping Draft Eligible 2016
[b]Sweden[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/SWE.jpg[/IMG]
Head coach: Rikard Grönborg
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Felix Sandström Brynäs Gavle Philadelphia Flyers
GK 30 Linus Söderström Djurgarden Stockholm New York Islanders
GK 35 Erik Källgren Linköpings HC Arizona Coyotes
D 3 William Lagesson U. of Massachusetts Amherst Edmonton Oilers
D 4 Jacob Larsson Frölunda HC Anaheim Ducks
D 5 Adam Ollas Mattsson Djurgårdens IF Calgary Flames
D 6 Andreas Englund Djurgårdens IF Ottawa Senators
D 7 Marcus Pettersson Skellefteå AIK Anaheim Ducks
D 8 Gustav Forsling Linköpings HC Chicago Blackhawks
D 9 Gabriel Carlsson Linköpings HC Columbus Blue Jackets
F 12 Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson Boston University Boston Bruins
F 16 Carl Grundström MODO Hockey Draft Eligible 2016
F 17 Dmytro Timashov Quebec Remparts Toronto Maple Leafs
F 18 Rasmus Asplund Färjestad Karlstad Draft Eligible 2016
F 19 Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads Draft Eligible 2016
F 20 Joel Eriksson Ek Färjestad Karlstad Minnesota Wild
F 21 William Nylander Toronto Marlies Toronto Maple Leafs
F 23 Oskar Lindblom Brynäs Gavle Philadelphia Flyers
F 24 Jens Lööke Brynäs Gavle Arizona Coyotes
F 25 Axel Holmström Skellefteå AIK Detroit Red Wings
F 26 Christoffer Ehn Frölunda HC Detroit Red Wings
F 27 Anton Karlsson Frölunda HC Arizona Coyotes
F 29 Adrian Kempe Ontario Reign Los Angeles Kings
[b]Switzerland[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/SUI.jpg[/IMG]
Head coach: John Fust
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 1 Ludovic Waeber Fribourg-Gottéron n/a
GK 29 Gauthier Descloux Genève-Servette HC n/a
GK 30 Joren van Pottelberghe Linköpings HC Detroit Red Wings
D 3 Andrea Glauser Fribourg-Gottéron n/a
D 4 Roger Karrer GCK Lions Zurich n/a
D 6 Edson Harlacher Kloten Flyers n/a
D 9 Marco Forrer EV Zug n/a
D 20 Simon Kindschi HC Davos n/a
D 25 Jonas Siegenthaler ZSC Lions Zurich Washington Capitals
D 27 Fabian Heldner HC Davos n/a
F 12 Calvin Thürkauf Kelowna Rockets Draft Eligible 2016
F 13 Denis Malgin ZSC Lions Zurich Florida Panthers
F 14 Dario Meyer Edmonton Oil Kings n/a
F 15 Kris Schmidli GCK Lions Zurich n/a
F 16 Auguste Impose Quebec Remparts n/a
F 19 Damien Riat Genève-Servette n/a
F 21 Chris Egli HC Davos n/a
F 22 Tino Kessler HC Davos n/a
F 24 Pius Suter ZSC Lions Zurich n/a
F 26 Noah Rod Genève-Servette San Jose Sharks
F 28 Timo Meier Halifax Mooseheads San Jose Sharks
[b]United States[/b]
[IMG]http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/mna-logos/USA.jpg[/IMG]
Head coach: Ron Wilson
Pos. No. Player Club NHL Affiliation
GK 31 Alex Nedeljkovic Niagara IceDogs Carolina Hurricanes
GK 36 Brandon Halverson Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds New York Rangers
D 4 Chad Krys U.S. NTDP Draft Eligible 2016
D 5 Brandon Fortunato Boston University n/a
D 8 Louie Belpedio Miami University Minnesota Wild
D 13 Zach Werenski University of Michigan Columbus Blue Jackets
D 20 Will Borgen St. Cloud State University Buffalo Sabres
D 25 Charlie McAvoy Boston University Draft Eligible 2016
D 26 Brandon Carlo Tri-City Americans Boston Bruins
F 7 Matthew Tkachuk London Knights Draft Eligible 2016
F 9 Nick Schmaltz University of North Dakota Chicago Blackhawks
F 10 Anders Bjork University of Notre Dame Boston Bruins
F 11 Christian Dvorak London Knights Arizona Coyotes
F 12 Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters Draft Eligible 2016
F 14 Scott Eansor Seattle Thunderbirds n/a
F 17 Ryan MacInnis Kitchener Rangers Arizona Coyotes
F 18 Colin White Boston College Ottawa Senators
F 19 Ryan Donato Harvard University Boston Bruins
F 21 Ryan Hitchcock Yale University n/a
F 23 Brock Boeser University of North Dakota Vancouver Canucks
F 28 Sonny Milano Lake Erie Monsters Columbus Blue Jackets
F 34 Auston Matthews ZSC Lions Zurich Draft Eligible 2016
---Links---
Official Site of the 2016 WJC in Helsinki
TSN hub for WJC (official broadcaster)
NHL Network TV schedule in USA
NHL.com hub for 2016 WJC news
Official Site of the 2015 WJC in Toronto/Montreal
TSN hub for WJC (official broadcaster)
NHL Network TV schedule in USA
NHL.com hub for 2016 WJC news
Official Site of the 2015 WJC in Toronto/Montreal
Some aspects of this OP are still a work in progress as the tournament gets underway. Please bear with me!
