St John's, NL, Canada, added one more chapter to the outstanding World Championships hostings in 2008, with a U-20 event that will leave participants speaking fondly of it for years, and future hosts challenged to meet this new standard. Special thanks to Paul Barron, Ed Dawson, Georgina Short and the many others involved.

For the first time at U-20 WC up to 6 nations could seriously be considered for an A-Pool medal. The competition in this age category has never been better. Italy nearly beat the USA, and then led most of the game in their 4:4 tie vs Canada, while Switzerland severely tested Slovakia in their 4:6 loss. The Swiss needed overtime to defeat Italy for the B-Pool gold, further exemplifying the closeness of their competencies.

The final four, the A-Pool, produced 4 more gems, with Slovakia and Canada narrowly defeating their semi-final opponents USA and Czech Republic respectively. The A-Pool Bronze would be decided by only one goal 4:3 in favour of the USA, and the Gold medal game was equally as tight with game knotted at 1:1 until late in the third period when Canada would take its first lead, then netting two additional late goals in the 4:1 World title victory.

With the championship, Canada completed the first sweep of the U-20, U-18, and U-16 WC's, and also became the first nation to win a second U-20, CZE, SVK, and USA each with one crown, For the Canadians it was a long rise from their disappointing showing in Aosta, ITA, in 2006, one which required a complete overhaul of their National Junior program. Congratulations to all involved in their dominating performances in 2008. Coaches Ian Moores, Jim Armstrong, and Ian Poulsen, along with Manager Mauro Cugini, did a fantastic job in selecting and preparing the disciplined and determined roster of fine young talent. The players bought into the program and delivered admirably.

The darlings of the tournament were the two first-time participating nations Bosnia & Herzegovina and Pakistan. BHI were noticeably overwhelmed by the competition, but their players showed much courage and improved significantly each game, culminating with a two goal effort against PAK in their 2:8 loss in the B-Pool Bronze game. Pakistan showed the benefits of their well organized senior program with spirited matches and signs of a bright future.

The highlights of the tournament included the spectacular play of CAN goaltender Jerret Tanner who came of the bench after the ejection of the starting netminder mid-way through the semi-final game with his team two-men short. Miraculously Tanner held CZE off the scoresheet through that stretch and beyond. His super performance lasted through the final as well, allowing the powerful Slovak offence only one goal. The SVK tandem of Michal Wagner (10 goals) and Pavol Slovak (16 points) were constantly dangerous and entertaining every shift of the WJC'08. Frank Giustini CAN was equally exciting, and he was honoured as tournament MVP for his brilliance. Andrew Hildreth USA was named top defenceman from among an outstanding crop of D-men in 2008. Jan Pospisil CZE and Pat O'Keefe CAN were recognized as all-stars, but who will ever forget the booming shots of Justin Penner and his domination of the CAN powerplays (5 goals).

How special was it for the hometown crowds to watch the five Newfoundlanders on the team become an integral part of the victories, with Justin Penner, Robert Slaney, Pat O’Keefe, Andrew White, and Cody Roach scoring most of the big goals during the tournament. The NL-five will go down in provincial and national history for the way the stepped it up under pressure filled situations.

In the end though, the single most memorable experience of this championship will be the evening banquet, when all 8 teams shared team chants and songs and cheered each other. It was a moment that gave me chills, and reminded us all of how sport can transcend the differences of cultures, languages, and religions, and reveal the true brotherhood of man.