In Canada, Boxing Day means two things. First, it means getting trampled attempting to buy a big-screen TV for much cheaper than any other time of the year. If you’re not into that scene, it signals the start of the IIHF World U20 Championship, or the World Juniors as they are known to us. It is a tournament that Canada has dominated, winning 16 times since its inception in 1977 and finishing in the top three an incredible 29 times.
Over the years, Canada has sported many different looks. In anticipation of this year's tournament, we decided to compile our favourites into a top five list.
5. 1978 Jersey
(classicauctions.net)
These were the jerseys the Great One wore in his time representing Canada at the World Juniors. We couldn’t find any colour pictures with Wayne Gretzky in the jersey, but the old school blue look was enough to get it in at number five.
4. 2010 Green Alternate Jersey
(Richard Wolowicz/ Getty Images)
Canada wore these jerseys in 2010 for one game in the tournament against Switzerland. The tournament was played in Saskatchewan that year, so maybe Team Canada was giving a shout out to Riders nation. Whatever the reason, Canada dominated the contest winning 6-0, and looked good doing it.
3. 2009 Red Jersey
(Richard Wolowicz/ Getty Images)
There is nothing flashy about these jerseys, but sometimes simplicity works best. The classic two stripe look with the Hockey Canada logo was sported multiple times, but the group in 2009 who won gold was made up of NHL stars P.K. Subban, Alex Pietrangelo, Jamie Benn, Jordan Eberle and John Tavares, so it seems extra special.
2. 2015 Red Jersey
(Dennis Pajot/ Getty Images)
These jerseys were an improvement on the look from previous years, and were done to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hockey Canada. The team won gold for the first time since the 2009 tournament wearing these sweaters.
1. 1992 Jersey
(Bruce Bennett/ Getty Images)
That is Paul Kariya representing Team Canada at the World Juniors in Germany. The team didn't do so hot that year, but the jerseys were fire. They are so nice, that the 2012 team used them as a template for their alternate jerseys in Calgary.
Let us know where you think this year's jersey (below) fits on our list, and be sure to catch the World Juniors action live on TSN. Canada kicks off the tournament on Boxing Day at 7pm ET when they take on Russia.
