The World Junior Championship is really popular only in Canada. The rest of the world is indifferent to it. Also, it is held in Canada every year, so people outside the Canadian time zones have shitty times of day to watch the hockey. I see no evidence that the WJC is popular in the United States, which was evidenced in Buffalo last year when 70% of the seats were empty, even in USA games, and were only full when Canadians came across the border to watch their team.
World Juniors vs World Championships in Europe
- Thread starter Snippit
- Start date
World Championships is the more important competition in Finland, but in 2016 during the U20 there was a huge craze.
The 2016 WJC excitement reached levels I have not seen in a long time. It had everything: the rise of new Finnish talent after years of looking like we could not produce NHL players, home tournament, one of the greatest coaches in Finnish hockey history and an exciting offensive game plan with high scoring. Even the goal song became very popular among the players, this years world champion U18 team used the same song as does the men's national team.
The 2016 WJC excitement reached levels I have not seen in a long time. It had everything: the rise of new Finnish talent after years of looking like we could not produce NHL players, home tournament, one of the greatest coaches in Finnish hockey history and an exciting offensive game plan with high scoring. Even the goal song became very popular among the players, this years world champion U18 team used the same song as does the men's national team.
alko
Registered User
You are wrong. There also others countries, that care.
Btw. was surprised, that Spengler Cup is so popular in Swiss. Why?
I wouldn't say indifferent. In CZ both U20 and U18 games are broadcasted by same TV as WHC. Popularity is not even close to WHC but it draws atention. Junior development is heavily discussed here so at least hockey fans definetely know about it and this public broadcast helps a lot.
It has sort of become a holiday tradition for many families over the years, to watch or attend the Spengler Cup. It cetainly also helps that the tournament has the highest televison-coverage for any swiss hockey event inluding the NLA playoffs. Interestingly, a lot of people, who are usually not hockey fans attend the Spengler Cup for the holiday/party expierience rather than the hockey itself.
QnebO
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- Feb 11, 2010
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I dont get it, saw it ones, it was rubbish looking hockey if im honest. Nice atmosphere though, like feel good holiday hockey.
You are not wrong. Its basically an exhibition tournament. Its like a prolonged version of the NHL all star game just with much less skill and spectacle unless theres an NHL lockout that year. In 2013 Tavares, Sequin, Kane, Thornton etc. played, so it was pretty cool to see all that talent on Swiss ice.
WJC hasn t much widespread in Europe. Especially in little hockey countries. Exceptionally they could announce some success. For example Germany! In Germany seems like WJC not exist. But when they promoted in A and than they reach sensational the QF,suddenly the interest is big. 
! WJC is only for big hockey nations an interesting fact.
! WJC is only for big hockey nations an interesting fact.
I agree with you and now tsn are broadcasting every single game of every country participating, where as before they would only show team canada and team usa games plus the QF, SF and Final.
Germany and the smaller countries never play in the WJC. Maybe they should increase the number of countries. And the games should also be held in the small countries sometimes.WJC hasn t much widespread in Europe. Especially in little hockey countries. Exceptionally they could announce some success. For example Germany! In Germany seems like WJC not exist. But when they promoted in A and than they reach sensational the QF,suddenly the interest is big.
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ovikovy817
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maclean
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- Jan 4, 2014
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Echoing most other posters, in the Czech Republic the World Championship is a fairly big deal. Pretty much all pubs with TVs show it, many also using projectors. Even people you wouldn't expect to be too into sports follow it. Lots of companies tie into it as well in their marketing. It's true interest in the juniors is rising, but the level is incomparable.
BruinLVGA
CZ Shadow 2 Compact coming my way!
Nope. Must be their bad conscience, I guess.
Since they sabotage all other forms of international hockey in favor of their beloved domestic league, they at least try to make a big deal out of a juniors tournament – a bagatelle in nearly everyone else's estimation. And they partially sabotage that, too: the very best players aren't allowed to participate if they're needed in the domestic league. It is what it is – Canada invented the game and I suppose they must be allowed to butcher its international scene in any way they choose.Oh, and who knows if the juniors tourney interested anyone in Canada, either, if it hadn't been for the Cold War and Don Cherry who, decades ago, nationalistically, in a Trumpian way, made a big deal out of the embarrassement that was the "Punchup in Piešťany" right here in Slovakia. What should have been a source of disgrace, became a source of (substitute) pride for Canada, and it may be at the root of the popularity of the juniors tourney there. Since Canadians (apart from a few Olympic episodes) can't really celebrate any achievements in international hockey, due to their refusing to fully participate in its events, they must celebrate them by proxy – such as through Canadian stars on US teams (or vice versa, although that's rare), or this substitute passion of a juniors tournament.
(Funnily enough, in this, Canadian hockey fans are reduced to the role of hockey fans from smaller hockey nations like Slovakia: unable to enjoy success at home, they at least cheer on Canadian superstars playing on US teams. It's weird what commercialism of sports can ultimately do to you.)
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slovakiasnextone
Registered User
The IHWC is the hockey event of the year in Slovakia and the time when everyone and their mother follows hockey and thinks they are a hockey expert.
That said, the WJC has build a pretty good following since the Slovak games were broadcasted first in 2008/2009 and is very popular among hockey fans.
That said, the WJC has build a pretty good following since the Slovak games were broadcasted first in 2008/2009 and is very popular among hockey fans.
gwh
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- Mar 4, 2013
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Not many people watch this in Finland. Kids playing hockey, go to your local rink to see it live.
Peiskos
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Nope. Must be their bad conscience, I guess.
Oh, and who knows if the juniors tourney interested anyone in Canada, either, if it hadn't been for the Cold War and Don Cherry who, decades ago, nationalistically, in a Trumpian way, made a big deal out of the embarrassement that was the "Punchup in Piešťany" right here in Slovakia. What should have been a source of disgrace, became a source of (substitute) pride for Canada, and it may be at the root of the popularity of the juniors tourney there. Since Canadians (apart from a few Olympic episodes) can't really celebrate any achievements in international hockey, due to their refusing to fully participate in its events, they must celebrate them by proxy – such as through Canadian stars on US teams (or vice versa, although that's rare), or this substitute passion of a juniors tournament.
(Funnily enough, in this, Canadian hockey fans are reduced to the role of hockey fans from smaller hockey nations like Slovakia: unable to enjoy success at home, they at least cheer on Canadian superstars playing on US teams. It's weird what commercialism of sports can ultimately do to you.)
Wow dude, what exactly is your issue? how do Canadians "sabotage" all forms of international hockey? no offence but you are clearly very misinformed. Last time I checked Canadians were severely pissed off that American Commissioner Gary Bettman didn't want NHL players at the Olympics. Stop acting like Hockey Canada and the Canadian population didn't want our best players at the Olympics and stop acting like Hockey Canada had a say in the matter, it did not. Canada didn't have a voice at the table. We wanted to win 3 straight Olympic Golds and dominate everyone like we usually do when we send our best possible team. Believe you me.
Also what I bolded might very well be the most delusional comment I've ever read on these boards..ever. What international hockey events has Canada refused to participate in exactly? apart from 1976 Olympics, a tournament in which the Swedes also boycotted..your comment is drivel [Mod].
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Go learn hockey history please. The guy made a superb post.
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Peiskos
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Actually I do know hockey history and that comment was complete trash, feel free to elaborate. What international hockey events has Canada refused to participate in exactly? apart from 1976 Olympics, a tournament in which the Swedes also boycotted. Please tell me how Canada sabotages international hockey lmfao.
Also please expand on this comment - "Since Canadians (apart from a few Olympic episodes) can't really celebrate any achievements in international hockey"
If not continue scrolling past.
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Peiskos
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At least 90% of the best possible junior players are there. You don't make any sense. The world isn't perfect you aren't going to have 100% of everyone present for every international tournament this isn't an EA video game.
The 10% very best players are not there. It's just a big cash grab for Hockey Canada TSN and friends. It simply doesn't matter in the big picture. And to be honest it's become very boring as well. You don't see Spanish German or whatever football nations bragging because they won U17 U20 tournaments or so what.
Back on topic though, and since this useless thread comes back every year. The World Juniors don't matter at all expect in Canada. While the Senior Worlds have a very good following everywhere else except in USA. Canada right now TSN is all over it and showing almost every game.
