Connor McDavid's Canadians beating Jack Eichel's Americans for gold is part of the 41st-to-50th top moments in World Junior Championship history as it turns 50. Watch Ken Campbell's video columns this week for the full reveal.
As someone who has covered a dozen World Junior Championships and watched almost all the others on television, I can agree that the event has provided hockey fans with innumerable memories over the years.
Here are my top 50, in recognition that the 2026 tournament in Minnesota will be the 50th of this great event.
Starting today, I'll provide 10 memories per day leading up to the tournament opener on Boxing Day. Watch the video for the full explanation of each moment.
Here are Nos. 41 through 50. Watch the video for more, and let us know what you think.
50. 2002: Belarus and France face off in a 17-round shootout in the relegation round
49. 2010: Nino Niederreiter scores equalizer and overtime-winner against Russia in quarterfinal
47. 1995: Ukraine shocks Team USA, which starts the momentum for the U.S. NTDP
46. 1998: Maxim Afinogenov scores overtime-winner in quarterfinal to knock out Canada
45. 1994: Jamie Storr stands on his head as Canada wins gold over Sweden
44. 1985: Canada captures gold over Soviets after tying Dominik Hasek's Czechoslovakians
43. 1990: Canada wins gold after beating the Soviets and Jaromir Jagr's Czechoslovakians
42. 2015: Connor McDavid wins showdown against Jack Eichel to win gold on home soil
41. 2008: Matt Halischuk scores in OT to beat Sweden for gold
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