View source for IIHF World U20 Championship

{{Infobox sports league
|current_season = 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
|sport = [[Ice hockey]]
|founded = 1974 (unofficial)<br/>1977 (official)
|teams=10
|champion={{ihj|FIN}}
|website=[http://www.iihf.com/de/channels1213/wm20/format.html IIHF.com]
}}

The '''IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships''' ('''WJC'''), commonly known simply as the '''World Juniors''',  is an annual event organized by the [[International Ice Hockey Federation]] (IIHF) for national under-20 [[ice hockey]] teams from around the world.  It is traditionally held in late December, ending in the beginning of January.

The main tournament features the top ten ranked hockey nations in the world, comprising the 'Top Division', from which a world champion is crowned.  There are also three lower pools—divisions I, II and III—that each play separate tournaments playing for the right to be promoted to a higher pool, or face relegation to a lower pool.

Finland is the defending champion of the tournament, after having beaten the United States to win the 2019 edition in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

==History==
The tournament was first held in 1977 (1974–1976 were not official tournaments).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/history/all-medallists/u20.html|title= All Medallists - U20|accessdate= 2009-01-07|work= History|publisher= [[International Ice Hockey Federation]]}}</ref> The tournament has been dominated by the teams from [[Russia]]/[[Soviet Union]] and [[Canada]], together accounting for 28 of the 36 overall gold medals awarded.  The USSR won the first four official tournaments, while the Canadians put together five straight championships between 1993 and [[1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1997]], and another five straight from [[2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2005]] to [[2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2009]]. Canada leads the all-time gold medal count with 15, while USSR/Russia leads the all-time overall medal count with 28.  Head-to-head matches between these two countries are always much anticipated.

In addition to the domination of gold medals by these two countries, Canada, Russia (and its predecessors) are joined by the [[Czech Republic]] (and its predecessor Czechoslovakia), [[Finland]], [[Sweden]], and the [[United States]] in dominating the medals overall.  Among them, these six nations have taken every medal in the history of the tournament with the exception of one bronze medal each for [[Switzerland]] and [[Slovakia]].

When it began, the World Junior Championship was a relatively obscure tournament. It has since grown in prestige, particularly in Canada, where the tournament ranks as one of the most important events on the sports calendar. Globe and Mail writer Bruce Dowbiggin credits TSN for turning the tournament from an obscure non-event when it acquired the rights in 1991 (and which it remains in most hockey countries) to one of Canada's most beloved annual sports events, and at the same time cementing the link between Canadian nationalism and hockey, and inspiring the NHL's Winter Classic. Sportsnet.ca writer Stephen Brunt calls the attention paid to the tournament in Canada "overkill", but says it is understandable given the nationalistic feelings its stirs and its excellent timing and marketing. Based on increasing attendances for countries repeatedly hosting the event, the popularity of the tournament seems to be growing in other nations as well.

Canada typically hosted the tournament every three to four years, consistently selling out Team Canada games, offering large profit guarantees to Hockey Canada and the IIHF. Canada is expected to host the tournament every second year starting in 2015 due to the significantly greater following the tournament has in Canada compared to other participating countries. Originally, Switzerland was selected to host the WJHC in 2010, but withdrew. Buffalo, New York, USA hosted the tournament in 2011 and 2018; in both cases, proximity to Canada's population core in Southern Ontario was a key factor in the city winning the bidding rights.

The tournament offers one of the most prestigious stages for young hockey players, able to significantly boost a player's value for upcoming NHL Entry Drafts.

===Punch-up in Piestany===
{{main|Punch-up in Piestany}}
One of the most infamous incidents in WJC history occurred in 1987 in Piestany, [[Czechoslovakia]], where a bench-clearing brawl occurred between [[Canada]] and the [[Soviet Union]].  It began when the Soviet Union's Pavel Kostichkin took a two-handed slash at Canadian player Theoren Fleury.  The Soviet Union's Evgeny Davydov then came off the bench, eventually leading to both benches emptying. The officials, unable to break up the fight, left the ice and eventually tried shutting off the arena lights, but the brawl lasted for 20 minutes before the IIHF declared the game null and void. A 35-minute emergency meeting was held, resulting in the delegates voting 7–1 (the sole dissenter was Canadian Dennis McDonald) to eject both teams from the tournament. The Canadian team chose to leave rather than stay for the end-of-tournament dinner, from which the Soviet team was banned.

While the Soviets were out of medal contention, Canada was playing for the gold medal, and were leading 4–2 at the time of the brawl.  The gold medal ultimately went to Finland, hosts Czechoslovakia took the silver and Sweden, who had previously been eliminated from medal contention, was awarded the bronze.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/sports/hockey/general-20/punch-up-in-piestany.html|title= Punch-up in Piestany|accessdate= 2009-01-07|work= CBC Digital Archives|publisher= Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date= 1987-01-04}}</ref>

==Medalists==
he winners by season listed below.
===Unofficial tournaments===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#efefef" align="left"
! Year
! width=145 style="background-color: #F7F6A8;" | {{goca}} Gold
! width=135 style="background-color: #DCE5E5;" | {{sica}} Silver
! width=135 style="background-color: #FFDAB9;" | {{Brca}} Bronze
! width=230 | Host city (cities)
! width=230 | Host country (countries)
|-
| align="center" | [[1974 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1974]]
| {{ihj|URS|1955}}
| {{ihj|FIN}}
| {{ihj|CAN}}
| [[Saint Petersburg|Leningrad]]
| {{USSR}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1975 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1975]]
| {{ihj|URS|1955}}
| {{ihj|CAN}}
| {{ihj|SWE}}
| [[Winnipeg]] and [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]]<br>[[Minneapolis]], [[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]] and [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]]
| {{CAN}}<br>{{USA}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1976 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1976]]
| {{ihj|URS|1955}}
| {{ihj|CAN}}
| {{ihj|TCH}}
| [[Tampere]], [[Turku]], [[Pori]] and [[Rauma, Finland|Rauma]]
| {{FIN}}
|}

===Official tournaments===
;Key
*'''{{small|(#)}}''' Number of tournaments (or 2nd placed/3rd places) won at the time.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#efefef" align="left"
! Year
! width=145 style="background-color: #F7F6A8;" | {{goca}} Gold
! width=145 style="background-color: #DCE5E5;" | {{sica}} Silver
! width=145 style="background-color: #FFDAB9;" | {{Brca}} Bronze
! width=230 | Host city (cities)
! width=230 | Host country (countries)
|-
| align="center" | [[1977 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1977]]
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 01|{{ihj|URS|1955}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 01|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 01|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Zvolen]] and [[Banská Bystrica]]
| {{CSK}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1978]]
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 02|{{ihj|URS|1955}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 01|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 01|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Montreal]] and [[Quebec City]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1979 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1979]]
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 03|{{ihj|URS|1955}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 01|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 01|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Karlstad]] and [[Karlskoga]]
| {{SWE}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1980 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1980]]
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 04|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 01|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 02|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| [[Helsinki]] and [[Vantaa]]
| {{FIN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1981 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1981]]
| {{Sort|Sweden 01|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 02|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 01|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Füssen]], [[Landsberg am Lech|Landsberg]] and [[Kaufbeuren]]
| {{FRG}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1982]]
| {{Sort|Canada 01|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 02|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 01|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]], [[Minneapolis]] and [[Duluth, Minnesota|Duluth]]<br>[[Winnipeg]] and [[Kenora]]
| {{USA}}<br>{{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1983]]
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 05|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 03|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 02|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| [[Saint Petersburg|Leningrad]]
| {{USSR}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1984 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1984]]
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 06|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(6)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 03|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 03|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(2)}}
|[[Norrköping]] and [[Nyköping]]
|{{SWE}}
|-
|  align="center" | [[1985 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1985]]''
|{{Sort|Canada 01|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(2)}}
|{{Sort|Czechoslovakia 03|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(4)}}
|{{Sort|Soviet Union 01|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(2)}}
|[[Helsinki]] and [[Turku]]
|{{FIN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1986 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1986]]
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 07|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(7)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 02|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|United States 01|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Toronto]] and [[London, Ontario|London]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1987]]
| {{Sort|Finland 01|{{ihj|FIN}}}}{{ref label|CanadaSoviet|α|α}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 05|{{ihj|TCH}}}}{{ref label|CanadaSoviet|α|α}} {{small|(5)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 03|{{ihj|SWE}}}}{{ref label|CanadaSoviet|α|α}} {{small|(3)}}
| [[Piešťany]], [[Topoľčany]], [[Trenčín]] and [[Nitra]]
| {{CSK}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1988 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1988]]
| {{Sort|Canada 03|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 01|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 02|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| [[Moscow]]
| {{USSR}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1989 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1989]]
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 08|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(8)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 02|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 03|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]] and [[Eagle River, Anchorage|Eagle River]]
| {{USA}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1990 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1990]]
| {{Sort|Canada 04|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 02|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 04|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| [[Helsinki]] and [[Turku]]
| {{FIN}}{{ref label|Host|β|β}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1991]]
| {{Sort|Canada 05|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| {{Sort|Soviet Union 03|{{ihj|URS}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 05|{{ihj|TCH}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| [[Saskatoon]] and [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1992 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1992]]
| {{Sort|CIS  09|{{ihj|CIS}}}} {{small|<ref>[http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/the-iihf/100-year-anniversary/100-top-stories/story-59.html "Story 59"] International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 2016-06-28.</ref>(9)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 03|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|United States 02|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| [[Füssen]] and [[Kaufbeuren]]
| {{DEU}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1993]]
| {{Sort|Canada 06|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(6)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 04|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Czechoslovakia 06|[[Czechoslovakia|Czech and Slovak Republics]]}} <ref>{{cite news | title = 
Brotherly but divided | publisher = [[International Ice Hockey Federation]]  | url = http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=7445&cHash=d1e779b39117bd61d27599acd3e76541 | accessdate=2016-08-26}}</ref> {{small|(6)}}
| [[Gävle]], [[Uppsala]] and [[Falun]]
| {{SWE}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1994 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1994]]
| {{Sort|Canada 07|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(7)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 05|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 01|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Ostrava]] and [[Frýdek-Místek]]
| {{CZE}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1995 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1995]]
| {{Sort|Canada 08|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(8)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 01|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 04|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| [[Red Deer, Alberta|Red Deer]], [[Edmonton]] and [[Calgary]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1996]]
| {{Sort|Canada 09|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(9)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 06|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(6)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 02|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| [[Boston]], [[Amherst, Massachusetts|Amherst]] and [[Marlborough, Massachusetts|Marlborough]]
| {{USA}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1997]]
| {{Sort|Canada 10|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(10)}}
| {{Sort|United States 01|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 03|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| [[Geneva]] and [[Morges]]
| {{SUI}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1998 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1998]]
| {{Sort|Finland 02|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 02|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Switzerland 01|{{ihj|SUI}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Helsinki]] and [[Hämeenlinna]]
| {{FIN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1999]]
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 01|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 03|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Slovakia 01|{{ihj|SVK}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Winnipeg]], [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]] and [[Selkirk, Manitoba|Selkirk]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2000 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2000]]
| {{Sort|Czech Republic 01|{{ihj|CZE}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 03|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 03|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| [[Skellefteå]] and [[Umeå]]
| {{SWE}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2001]]
| {{Sort|Czech Republic 02|{{ihj|CZE}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 04|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 04|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| [[Moscow]] and [[Podolsk]]
| {{RUS}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2002]]
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 02|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 04|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 03|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| [[Pardubice]] and [[Hradec Králové]]
| {{CZE}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2003]]
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 03|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 05|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 04|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]] and [[Sydney, Nova Scotia|Sydney]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2004]]
| {{Sort|United States 01|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 06|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(6)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 05|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| [[Helsinki]] and [[Hämeenlinna]]
| {{FIN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2005]]
| {{Sort|Canada 11|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(11)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 04|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Czech Republic/Czechoslovakia 01|{{ihj|CZE}}}} {{small|(1)}}
| [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks]] and [[Thief River Falls, Minnesota|Thief River Falls]]
| {{USA}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2006]]
| {{Sort|Canada 12|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(12)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 05|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| {{Sort|Finland 06|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(6)}}
| [[Vancouver]], [[Kelowna]] and [[Kamloops]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2007]]
| {{Sort|Canada 13|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(13)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 06|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(6)}}
| {{Sort|United States 03|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| [[Leksand Municipality|Leksand]] and [[Mora Municipality, Sweden|Mora]]
| {{SWE}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2008]]
| {{Sort|Canada 14|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(14)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 07|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(7)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 04|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| [[Pardubice]] and [[Liberec]]
| {{CZE}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2009]]
| {{Sort|Canada 15|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(15)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 08|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(8)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 05|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| [[Ottawa]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2010]]
| {{Sort|United States 02|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 07|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(7)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 05|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| [[Saskatoon]] and [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2011]]
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 04|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 08|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(8)}}
| {{Sort|United States 04|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] and [[Lewiston (town), New York|Lewiston]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iihf.com/channels1011/wm20/home.html |title=2011 IIHF World U20 Championship |website=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227123808/http://www.iihf.com/channels1011/wm20/home.html |archive-date=2010-12-27 }}</ref>
| {{USA}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2012]]
| {{Sort|Sweden 02|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 07|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(7)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 05|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| [[Calgary]] and [[Edmonton]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2013]]
| {{Sort|United States 03|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 09|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(9)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 06|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(6)}}
| [[Ufa]]
| {{RUS}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2014]]
| {{Sort|Finland 03|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(3)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 10|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(10)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 07|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(7)}}
| [[Malmö]]
| {{SWE}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2015]]
| {{Sort|Canada 16|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(16)}}
| {{Sort|Russia 08|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(8)}}
| {{Sort|Slovakia 02|{{ihj|SVK}}}} {{small|(2)}}
| [[Toronto]] and [[Montreal]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2016]]
| {{Sort|Finland 4|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Russia 09|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(9)}}
| {{Sort|United States|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(5)}}
| [[Helsinki]]
| {{FIN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2017]]
| {{Sort|United States 02|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(4)}}
| {{Sort|Canada 07|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(9)}}
| {{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 08|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(8)}}
| [[Montreal]] and [[Toronto]]<ref name="tsn.ca">{{cite web|url=http://www2.tsn.ca/world_jrs/story/?id=425844 |title=Toronto and Montreal to host 2015 and 2017 world juniors |date=19 June 2013 |website=TSN }}</ref>
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2018]]
| {{Sort|Canada 02|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{small|(17)}}
| {{Sort|Sweden 07|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{small|(11)}}
| {{Sort|United States 08|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(6)}}
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] and [[Orchard Park (town), New York|Orchard Park]]<ref name=tsnralph>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/sources-outdoor-game-planned-for-2018-world-juniors-in-buffalo-1.403558 |title=Sources: Outdoor game planned for 2018 World Juniors in Buffalo |website=TSN |first=Frank |last=Seravalli | date=3 December 2015}}</ref>
| {{USA}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2019]]
|{{Sort|Finland 4|{{ihj|FIN}}}} {{small|(5)}}
|{{Sort|United States 01|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{small|(2)}}
|{{Sort|Russia/Soviet Union 08|{{ihj|RUS}}}} {{small|(9)}}
| [[Vancouver]] and [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]]
| {{CAN}}
|-
| align="center" | [[2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2020]]
| 
| 
| 
|  [[Ostrava]] and [[Třinec]]
| {{CZE}}
|}

==Medal table==
The unofficial tournaments held prior to 1977 are not included in this table.

Countries in ''italics'' no longer compete at the World Championships.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|- bgcolor="#efefef" align=center
!align=left |Country
!style="background-color: #F7F6A8;" | {{goca}} Gold
!style="background-color: #DCE5E5;" | {{sica}} Silver
!style="background-color: #FFDAB9;" | {{Brca}} Bronze
!Medals
|- align=center
|align=left|{{ihj|CAN}}
| {{sort|17|17}}
| {{sort|09|9}}
| {{sort|05|5}}
| {{sort|31|31}}
|- align=center
|align=left|{{ihj|RUS}}<br>''{{ihj|URS}}''<br>''{{ihj|CIS}}''<br>''Total''&nbsp;
|{{sort|13|4<br>8<br>1<br>''13''}}
|{{sort|12|9<br>3<br>0<br>''12''}}
|{{sort|10|9<br>2<br>0<br>''11''}}
|{{sort|36|22<br>13<br>1<br>''36''}}
|- align=center
|align=left|{{ihj|FIN}}
| {{sort|5|5}}
| {{sort|04|4}}
| {{sort|06|6}}
| {{sort|15|15}}
|- align=center
|align=left|{{ihj|USA}}
| {{sort|04|4}}
| {{sort|2|2}}
| {{sort|06|6}}
| {{sort|12|12}}
|- align=center
|align=left|{{ihj|SWE}}
| {{sort|02|2}}
| {{sort|11|11}}
| {{sort|05|5}}
| {{sort|18|18}}
|- align=center
|align=left|{{ihj|CZE}}<br>''{{ihj|TCH}}''<br>''Total''&nbsp;
|{{sort|02|2<br>0<br>''2''}}
|{{sort|05|0<br>5<br>''5''}}
|{{sort|07|1<br>6<br>''7''}}
|{{sort|14|3<br>11<br>''14''}}
|- align=center
|align=left|{{ihj|SVK}}
| {{sort|00|0}}
| {{sort|00|0}}
| {{sort|02|2}}
| {{sort|02|2}}
|- align=center
|align=left|{{ihj|SUI}}
| {{sort|00|0}}
| {{sort|00|0}}
| {{sort|01|1}}
| {{sort|01|1}}
|-
!Total !! 43 !! 43 !! 43 !! 129
|}
==Participating countries==
Sweden, Finland and Canada have participated in all 34 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships as well as the 3 unofficial World Junior Hockey Championships although Canada and Soviet Union nearly were relegated to Pool B (now Division I) as punishment for the [[Punch-up in Piestany]] in 1988. USSR/CIS/Russia, Czechoslovakia/Czech-Republic, and the United States have mainly participated at the top level. When Czechoslovakia peacefully split in 1993, the Czech Republic remained in Pool A but Slovakia (Slovak Republic) was placed in Pool C (now Division II).  In 1995, Slovakia became a main participant of the World Junior Hockey Championships and won bronze in 1999.  Starting with the 1996 tournament, competition was increased from an 8 round robin to the current 10 team format.  Since then, Switzerland has been a main participant.  West Germany competed frequently from 1977 and since the reunification in 1990 the united Germany has continued that trend.  Before the format change in 1996, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Poland and Switzerland made brief appearances. After regaining their independence in the early 1990s, Latvia has made several appearances, along with Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.  These teams had to start from the bottom division in the early 1990s. France and Japan have so far made one appearance each at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

== Player eligibility ==
A player is eligible to play in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships if:<ref name="Main requirements for eligibility">{{cite web |url=http://www.iihf.com/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF/The_IIHF/2012-2014_IIHF_Statutes_and_Bylaws.pdf |title=IIHF statues and bylaws |publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]] |accessdate=2014-01-01}}</ref>
* the player is of male gender;
* the player has his 20th birthday in the year of the tournament's ending (i.e. 1994 for 2014 tournament), and at latest, the fifth year after the tournament's ending (i.e. 1999 for 2014 tournament);
* the player is a citizen in the country he represents;
* the player is under the jurisdiction of a national association that is a member of the [[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]].

If a player who has never played in IIHF-organized competition wishes to switch national eligibility, he must have played in competitions for two consecutive years in the new country without playing in another country, as well as show his move to the new country's national association with an international transfer card. In case the player has previously played in IIHF-organized competition but wishes to switch national eligibility, he must have played in competitions for four consecutive years in the new country without playing in another country, he must show his move to the new country's national association with an international transfer card, as well as be a citizen of the new country. A player may only switch national eligibility once.<ref name="Requirements for switching national eligibility">{{cite web |url=http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/championships/iihf-eligibility.html |title=IIHF Eligibility |publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]] |accessdate=2014-01-01}}</ref>

==Tournament awards==
At the conclusion of each tournament, the Directorate of the IIHF presents awards to the Top Goalie, Forward and Defenceman of the tournament.  The media attending the event select an All-Star team separately from this.
{{main|List of IIHF World Under 20 Championship Directorate award winners}}
{{main|List of IIHF World Under 20 Championship Media All-Star Teams}}

==See also==
*[[Ice Hockey World Championships]]
*[[IIHF World U20 Championship Division I]]
*[[IIHF World U20 Championship Division II]]
*[[IIHF World U20 Championship Division III]]
*[[IIHF World U18 Championship]]
*[[IIHF World Ranking]]
*[[World Junior A Challenge]]
*[[World U-17 Hockey Challenge]]
*[[2007 Super Series]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}
;General references
*{{cite web |url= http://www.iihf.com|title= International Ice Hockey Federation|accessdate= 2009-01-07}}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/57536|title= Mens National Junior U-20 Team|accessdate=2009-01-07|publisher= [[Hockey Canada]]}}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/|title= World Juniors|accessdate= 2009-01-07|publisher= tsn.ca}}
*{{cite book |title= International ice hockey encyclopaedia 1904 – 2005|last= Müller|first= Stephan|year= 2005|publisher= Books on Demand|location= Norderstedt|isbn= 978-3-8334-4189-9}} 

==External links==
*[http://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u20/en/records/wjc-u20-players-all-time-points-leaders.html IIHF World U20 all-time leading scorers] at quanthockey.com
*[http://www.worldjuniors2008.com www.worldjuniors2008.com] - 2008 IIHF World U20 Championship - Pardubice, Liberec, Czech republic
*[http://www.iihf.com/archive/archive.htm Result archive] - Full results for men's, women's and junior championships since 1999 and medalists for all tournaments.
*[http://www.passionhockey.com/hockeyarchives/archives.htm#a1997 Complete archive] of all IIHF tournaments in French at passionhockey.com.

{{World Junior Ice Hockey Championships}}
{{IIHF}}
{{Wikipedia}}

[[Category:International Ice Hockey Federation tournaments]]
[[Category:IIHF World U20 Championships]]
[[Category:Tournaments]]