The IIHF is the global governing body for ice hockey, with 84 member countries. It organizes major tournaments such as the IIHF World Championships and the Winter Olympics. The IIHF has its ranking system, and its Hall of Fame, which was founded in 1997, is located in the Hockey Hall of Fame. In addition to organizing ice hockey events, the IIHF handles sponsorships, marketing, and player transfers at the international level.
The IIHF’s governance is led by the General Congress, which makes decisions on the sport's rules and elects the President. The President, supported by the General Secretary, represents the federation in all external matters. The IIHF also focuses on player development, coach training, and promoting ice hockey at all levels, including organizing European club competitions like the Champions Hockey League.
IIHF World Junior Championship medal table
According to IIHF, the IIHF World Junior Championship medalists showcase the dominance of hockey nations in the under-20 category. Canada leads with 20 gold, 10 silver, and five bronze medals, followed by Russia with 13 gold, 13 silver, and 11 bronze.
The United States has won six gold, two silver, and seven bronze medals. Other notable countries include Sweden, Finland, and Czechia, which have consistently performed well. Recent champions include the United States (2024) and Canada (2023, 2022).
| COUNTRY | Gold | Silver | Bronze | TOTAL |
| Canada (1977-) | 20 | 10 | 5 | 35 |
| Russia (1993-2021) Soviet Union (1977-92) | 4 9 13 | 10 3 13 | 9 2 11 | 23 14 37 |
| United States (1977-) | 6 | 2 | 7 | 15 |
| Finland (1977-) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 17 |
| Sweden (1977-) | 2 | 12 | 7 | 21 |
| Czechia (1994-) Czechoslovakia (1977-93) | 2 0 2 | 1 5 6 | 2 6 8 | 5 11 16 |
| Slovakia (1994-) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Switzerland (1978-) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Which Country has won the most Gold Medals at the World Junior Championship?
According to IIHF, Canada has the most gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championships, winning 20 titles between 1982 and 2023. They dominated for several consecutive years, particularly during their five-year gold streak from 1993 to 1997 and again from 2005 to 2009. Canada has also frequently hosted the tournament, leveraging home-ice advantage in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton.
Which Country has won the most Silver Medals at the World Junior Championship?
According to IIHF, Russia holds the most silver medals in the World Junior Championship with 13 silver medals. The Soviet Union, before its dissolution, won three silver medals in the World Junior Championship. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia continued its strong presence in the tournament, winning 10 silver medals. The Russian team has finished as runners-up multiple times, especially during the late 1990s and 2000s.
Which Country has won the most Bronze Medals at the World Junior Championship?
According to IIHF, the Soviet Union and Russia combined have won the most bronze medals at the World Junior Championship, with 11 in total. These bronze medals were earned across multiple years, starting from the 1977 tournament. The Soviet Union, before its dissolution, earned 2 bronze medals during its time. After the dissolution, Russia continued adding to the combined total.
FAQs on list of IIHF World Junior Championship medal table
A. The IIHF has 84 members.
A. The first season was in 1974 (unofficial), and it became official in 1977.
A. The tournament will be held in Ottawa, Canada.
A. The championship will take place from December 26, 2024, to January 5, 2025.
A. The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in Minnesota, USA, at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center and the 3M Arena.
