The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship (also known as the World Junior Hockey Championship, WJHC) is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation

International Ice Hockey Federation

The International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...

 for national under-20 ice hockey

Ice hockey

Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...

 teams from around the world. The 'Top Division' features the top ten ranked hockey nations in the world. After each tournament, the Directorate of the IIHF selects the Best Goalie, Best Defenceman, and Best Forward of the tournament. Winners of these awards, along with the countries they represent are shown below from the first official tournament (1977) until present.

Year	Best Goalie		Best Defenceman		Best Forward		Note
1977	Jan Hrábek		Viacheslav Fetisov Viacheslav Fetisov Viacheslav "Slava" Alexandrovich Fetisov is a retired professional ice hockey defenseman...		Dale McCourt Dale McCourt Dale Allen McCourt is a former NHL ice hockey forward. Dale began his junior hockey career with the Hamilton Red Wings in 1972–73. Two years later he was the team captain of the 1976 Memorial Cup champion Hamilton Fincups. In 1977 he led the team to the Hamilton Spectator Trophy...
1978	Alexander Tyznych		Viacheslav Fetisov Viacheslav Fetisov Viacheslav "Slava" Alexandrovich Fetisov is a retired professional ice hockey defenseman...		Wayne Gretzky Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
1979	Pelle Lindbergh Pelle Lindbergh Per-Eric Göran "Pelle" Lindbergh was a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender who played parts of five seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers.-Playing career:...		Alexei Kasatonov Alexei Kasatonov Alexei Viktorovich Kasatonov is a retired ice hockey defenceman, a long-time member of the Soviet Union national team.On the international stage, Kasatonov won two golds and one silver in the Olympics, and five golds in the World Championships...		Vladimir Krutov Vladimir Krutov Vladimir Yevgenyevich Krutov born June 1, 1960) is a former Soviet hockey forward. Together with Igor Larionov and Sergei Makarov, he was part of the famed KLM Line...
1980	Jari Paavola		Reijo Ruotsalainen Reijo Ruotsalainen Reijo Ruotsalainen is a Finnish retired ice hockey defenceman. He was twice named Finland's top defenceman, and won two Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, in 1987 and 1990.-Kärpät :...		Vladimir Krutov Vladimir Krutov Vladimir Yevgenyevich Krutov born June 1, 1960) is a former Soviet hockey forward. Together with Igor Larionov and Sergei Makarov, he was part of the famed KLM Line...
1981	Lars Eriksson Lars Eriksson Lars Eriksson is a former football goalkeeper from Sweden. He participated in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, 1994 FIFA World Cup and Euro 1992. He played for Hammarby, Norrköping, Charleroi and FC Porto.-International career:...		Miloslav Horava Miloslav Horava Miloslav Hořava is a Czech ice hockey coach and former player. He played on the Silver medal winning ice hockey team at the 1984 Winter Olympics and bronze medal winning team at the 1992 Winter Olympics for Czechoslovakia....		Patrik Sundström Patrik Sundström Patrik Sundström is a retired professional ice hockey centre, who played in the NHL for ten seasons.- Playing career :Sundström was drafted 175th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft....
1982	Mike Moffat Mike Moffat (ice hockey) Michael Anthony Moffat is a Canada ice hockey goaltender, who played in the NHL for the Boston Bruins. He also played in the AHL for the Baltimore Skipjacks, Hershey Bears, and Nova Scotia Oilers....		Gord Kluzak Gord Kluzak Gordon Glen Kluzak is a retired NHL defenceman who played his entire abbreviated career for the Boston Bruins, and is now a broadcaster for the team.-Playing career:...		Petri Skriko Petri Skriko Petri Kalevi Skriko is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey player, best remembered for his seasons starring in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks in the 1980s...
1983	Dominik Hašek Dominik Hašek Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...		Ilya Byakin Ilya Byakin Ilya Vladimirovich Byakin is a retired ice hockey player who played in the Soviet Hockey League and National Hockey League. He played for HC Spartak Moscow, Avangard Omsk, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks...		Tomas Sandström Tomas Sandström Tomas Sandström is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League from 1984 to 1999. He grew up in Fagersta, Sweden....
1984	Alan Perry		Alexei Gusarov Alexei Gusarov Alexei Vasilievich Gusarov is a Russian ice hockey player . He played for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues.Gusarov won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996...		Raimo Helminen Raimo Helminen Raimo Ilmari Helminen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He is often called "Raipe" or "Maestro" by his fans...
1985	Craig Billington Craig Billington -International:-External links:*...		Vesa Salo		Michal Pivonka Michal Pivonka Michal Pivoňka is a retired National Hockey League player. He played his entire NHL career with the Washington Capitals. Selected by the Capitals in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, Pivonka defected to the United States during the summer of 1986...
1986	Evgeny Belosheikin Evgeny Belosheikin Evgeny Vladimirovich Belosheikin was a professional ice hockey player who played in the Soviet Hockey League. He played for the HC CSKA Moscow and SKA Leningrad. He also played on the Soviet Union's 1987 Canada Cup and Rendez-vous '87 teams...		Mikhail Tatarinov Mikhail Tatarinov Mikhail Vladimirovich Tatarinov is a retired Russian ice hockey defenceman....		Jim Sandlak Jim Sandlak James Sandlak, Jr. is a retired professional ice hockey player who spent 11 seasons in the National Hockey League and was known as "The House" due to his large stature.-Playing career:...
1987	Markus Ketterer Markus Ketterer Markus Ketterer is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga and also the Swedish Elitserien. He played for Jokerit, TPS as Färjestads BK, the latter with which he became champion in 1997. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005.-External links:*...		Calle Johansson Calle Johansson Carl Christian "Calle" Johansson is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1987 and 2004...		Robert Kron Robert Kron Robert Kron is a retired Czech professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the fifth round, 88th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft....
1988	Jimmy Waite Jimmy Waite James Dean Waite is a retired goaltender.-Career:Waite was one of the highest-rated goalies in the late 1980s and many scouts believed he had the potential to become a star...		Teppo Numminen Teppo Numminen Teppo Kalevi Numminen is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League. He is currently an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres.-Playing career:...		Alexander Mogilny Alexander Mogilny Alexander Gennadevitch Mogilny is a former Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the team consultant of the KHL team Amur Khabarovsk. Mogilny was best known for his lightning quick speed and lethal wrist shot in his early years, which led to his career year of 76 goals in the 1992–93...
1989	Alexei Ivashkin		Ricard Persson Ricard Persson Ricard Persson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. Persson played in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators. Persson is currently with SG Cortina of the Serie A.-Playing career:...		Pavel Bure Pavel Bure Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
1990	Stéphane Fiset Stephane Fiset Stéphane Fiset is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Fiset was drafted in the 2nd round 24th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...		Alexander Godynyuk Alexander Godynyuk Oleksandr Olehovych Hodyniuk , known commonly as Alexander Godynyuk is a retired Ukrainian professional ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted in the sixth round, 115th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft....		Robert Reichel Robert Reichel Robert Reichel is a former professional ice hockey centre and was a head coach of HC Litvínov of the Czech Extraliga until he resigned on January 22, 2011. He played in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs. Reichel was...
1991	Pauli Jaks Pauli Jaks Pauli Jaks is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played one game in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings during the 1994–95 NHL season...		Jiří Šlégr Jiri Slegr Jiří Šlégr is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for HC Litvínov of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the estranged son of former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Jiří Bubla...		Eric Lindros Eric Lindros Eric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...
1992	Mike Dunham Mike Dunham Michael Dunham is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently the goaltending coach for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...		Darius Kasparaitis Darius Kasparaitis Darius Kasparaitis is a retired professional ice hockey defenseman. Known by the nickname Kaspar, he has dual citizenship in both the United States and Russia, and he has played for the Russian national ice hockey team.- Playing career :Kasparaitis left Lithuania for Russia at age 14 after...	Commonwealth of Independent States	Michael Nylander Michael Nylander Michael Nylander is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre who is currently a free agent.- Playing career :Nylander was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the third round in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft...
1993	Manny Legacé Manny Legacé Emmanuel Legace, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League. He most recently played in the National Hockey League for the Carolina Hurricanes. He has also played in the National Hockey League for the Los...		Janne Grönvall Janne Grönvall Janne Grönvall is a professional Finnish ice hockey player.He is currently playing for Tappara in the Finnish SM-Liiga. This is his third stint with the club. He first joined them in 1992, when he left Lukko Rauma. In 1994 he left them for AHL club St...		Peter Forsberg Peter Forsberg Peter Mattias "Foppa" Forsberg is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and currently an assistant general manager of Modo Sports. Known for his on-ice vision and physical play, Forsberg is considered one of the most complete players of his generation...
1994	Jamie Storr Jamie Storr Jamie Storr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:Storr was the first goalie selected in the 1991 OHL Entry Draft and played major junior with the Owen Sound Platers and the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League . In the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Storr was...		Kenny Jönsson Kenny Jönsson Per Anders Kenny Jönsson is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player.- Playing career :Jönsson was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1st round as the 12th overall selection in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft...		Niklas Sundström Niklas Sundström Lars Niklas Sundström is a professional ice hockey player who started his professional career in Modo Hockey. He was drafted eighth overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers. He was also on Wayne Gretzky's line. He was not known for his goal scoring ability, but for his...
1995	Yevgeni Tarasov		Bryan McCabe Bryan McCabe Bryan McCabe is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is a free agent.McCabe moved to Calgary, Alberta at a young age and spent the majority of his minor hockey career playing in the Calgary area....		Marty Murray Marty Murray Marty Murray , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played for several teams in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
1996	José Théodore José Théodore José Théodore is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...		Mattias Öhlund Mattias Öhlund Mattias Öhlund is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Prior to joining the Lightning, he played eleven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks...		Jarome Iginla Jarome Iginla Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
1997	Marc Denis Marc Denis Marc Denis is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . For the 2009–10 season, he has been hired as the goaltenders' coach of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team...		Joe Corvo Joe Corvo Joseph Corvo is an American professional ice hockey player who plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Corvo was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 4th round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.-Early career:...		Alexei Morozov
1998	David Aebischer David Aebischer David Aebischer , is a Swiss professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League . Before returning to North America in 2011 Aebischer had spent four seasons with HC Lugano of the Nationalliga A in Switzerland. He has also played for the...		Pavel Skrbek Pavel Skrbek Pavel Skrbek is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Elitserien. He played briefly in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators earlier in his career.-Playing career:Skrbek played one year in his native...		Olli Jokinen Olli Jokinen Olli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
1999	Roberto Luongo Roberto Luongo Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...		Vitali Vishnevsky		Maxim Afinogenov Maxim Afinogenov Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a member of the SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League . Known for his blistering skating speed, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres 69th overall in 1997 and played nine seasons with the club. He played...
2000	Rick DiPietro Rick DiPietro Rick DiPietro, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League . He was the first overall selection by the Islanders in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft....		Alexander Rjazantsov		Milan Kraft Milan Kraft Milan Kraft is a Czech professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft....
2001	Tomáš Duba Tomáš Duba Tomáš Duba is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender, he is first goalie for HC Oceláři Třinec.-Draft:...		Rostislav Klesla Rostislav Klesla Rostislav "Rusty" Klesla is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . During the off season, Klesla spends his time in the Czech Republic. Klesla was selected fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, making...		Pavel Brendl Pavel Brendl Pavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
2002	Kari Lehtonen Kari Lehtonen Kari Lehtonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League...		Igor Knyazev Igor Knyazev Igor Knyazev is a Russian ice hockey defenceman. Knyazev was drafted in the first-round, 15th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He spent two seasons in the American Hockey League with the Lowell Lock Monsters and the Springfield Falcons before returning to the...		Mike Cammalleri Mike Cammalleri Michael Cammalleri is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Junior:...
2003	Marc-André Fleury Marc-Andre Fleury Marc-André Fleury is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...		Joni Pitkänen Joni Pitkänen Joni Pitkänen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...		Igor Grigorenko Igor Grigorenko Igor Grigorenko is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for Ufa Salavat Yulayev in the Russian Elite League. He signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL in May, 2007, but was unable to make the team out of training camp...
2004	Al Montoya Al Montoya Álvaro "Al" Montoya is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft after a three-year career with the University of Michigan...		Sami Lepistö Sami Lepistö Sami Lepistö is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is the son of former Jokerit captain and youth international defenceman Jussi Lepistö...		Zach Parise Zach Parise Zachary Justin Parise is an American professional ice hockey left winger of French-Canadian origin and captain of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . Parise's father, J. P...
2005	Marek Schwarz Marek Schwarz Marek Schwarz is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the TPS of the SM-liiga.-Playing career:...		Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...		Alexander Ovechkin Alexander Ovechkin Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
2006	Tuukka Rask Tuukka Rask Tuukka Mikael Rask is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . Rask was drafted 21st overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs...		Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League...		Evgeni Malkin Evgeni Malkin Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
2007	Carey Price Carey Price Carey Price is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Price was the Canadiens' first round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...		Erik Johnson Erik Johnson Erik Robert Johnson is an American ice hockey defenseman playing for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League . He was formerly with the St Louis Blues. Johnson, the number one overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, was drafted by the Blues from the U.S...		Alexei Cherepanov Alexei Cherepanov Alexei Andreyevich Cherepanov was a Russian professional ice hockey winger who played for Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League . The New York Rangers of the National Hockey League drafted Cherepanov with their first selection, seventeenth overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
2008	Steve Mason Steve Mason (ice hockey) Steve Mason is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League . He was selected 69th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Blue Jackets. Playing major junior in the Ontario Hockey League , he spent three seasons...		Drew Doughty Drew Doughty Andrew 'Drew' Phillip Doughty is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League...		Viktor Tikhonov Viktor Tikhonov (ice hockey b. 1988) Viktor Vasilevich Tikhonov is a Russian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League. Selected 28th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, he is a prospect for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League...
2009	Jacob Markström Jacob Markström Jacob Markström is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing with the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...		Erik Karlsson Erik Karlsson Erik Karlsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...		John Tavares
2010	Benjamin Conz Benjamin Conz Benjamin Conz is a Swiss ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for the HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He was eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but went undrafted, being drafted 185th overall in the 2010 KHL Junior Draft by SKA St...		Alex Pietrangelo Alex Pietrangelo Alexander Pietrangelo is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League . As a junior, he played with the Niagara IceDogs and the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League...		Jordan Eberle Jordan Eberle Jordan Ryan Eberle is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft...
2011	Jack Campbell Jack Campbell (ice hockey) Jack Campbell is an American ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Campbell was one of the top goaltenders eligible for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, ranked second among North American goaltenders both in Central Scouting's midterm and final rankings...		Ryan Ellis Ryan Ellis Ryan Ellis is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League....		Brayden Schenn Brayden Schenn Brayden Schenn is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Schenn was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings fifth overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut for the Kings in October 2009, after being called...