The World Junior Championship is an annual international ice hockey tournament for national under-20 teams, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Typically, held from late December to early January, it features the top 10 ranked hockey nations competing in the 'Top Division,' while lower divisions play for promotion or to avoid relegation.
The tournament was officially held in 1977 for the first time. Since then, it has produced many talents in the world of ice hockey, many of them playing in the NHL. As of 2024, Canada leads in gold medals with 20, followed by the Soviet Union/Russia with 13. The event offers a global stage for rising stars, often influencing NHL Draft selections.
Related: Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Goaltender Winner
Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Forward winner
The World Junior Championship's Best Forward award is an annual award presented to the best forward of the tournament among all. Notably, Vladimir Krutov of the Soviet Union is the only player to have received this honor twice, in 1979 and 1980 as per Sporting News.
The veteran player, Wayne Gretzky received the Best Forward in 1978 and became the NHL's all-time leading scorer. Alexander Ovechkin, honored in 2005, has secured multiple NHL scoring titles and a Stanley Cup. Evgeni Malkin (2006) and Connor Bedard (2023) have also transitioned their junior success into prominent NHL careers.
The award has been a predictor of professional success, with many players becoming influential figures in international hockey. Peter Forsberg in 1993 and Pavel Bure in 1989 not only excelled in the NHL but also represented their countries on the global stage. Cutter Gauthier from the United States received the best forward award in 2024. Below is the table of recipients who received the best forward award year by year:
| Year | Player Name | Contry |
| 2024 | Cutter Gauthier | United States |
| 2023 | Connor Bedard | Canada |
| 2022 | Mason McTavish | Canada |
| 2021 | Tim Stützle | Germany |
| 2020 | Alexis Lafrenière | Canada |
| 2019 | Ryan Poehling | United States |
| 2018 | Casey Mittelstadt | United States |
| 2017 | Kirill Kaprizov | Russia |
| 2016 | Jesse Puljujärvi | Finland |
| 2015 | Max Domi | Canada |
| 2014 | Filip Forsberg | Sweden |
| 2013 | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | Canada |
| 2012 | Yevgeni Kuznetsov | Russia |
| 2011 | Brayden Schenn | Canada |
| 2010 | Jordan Eberle | Canada |
| 2009 | John Tavares | Canada |
| 2008 | Viktor Tikhonov | Russia |
| 2007 | Alexei Cherepanov | Russia |
| 2006 | Evgeni Malkin | Russia |
| 2005 | Alexander Ovechkin | Russia |
| 2004 | Zach Parise | United States |
| 2003 | Igor Grigorenko | Russia |
| 2002 | Mike Cammalleri | Canada |
| 2001 | Pavel Brendl | Czech Republic |
| 2000 | Milan Kraft | Czech Republic |
| 1999 | Maxim Afinogenov | Russia |
| 1998 | Olli Jokinen | Finland |
| 1997 | Alexei Morozov | Russia |
| 1996 | Jarome Iginla | Canada |
| 1995 | Marty Murray | Canada |
| 1994 | Niklas Sundström | Sweden |
| 1993 | Peter Forsberg | Sweden |
| 1992 | Michael Nylander | Sweden |
| 1991 | Eric Lindros | Canada |
| 1990 | Robert Reichel | Czechoslovakia |
| 1989 | Pavel Bure | Soviet Union |
| 1988 | Alexander Mogilny | Soviet Union |
| 1987 | Robert Kron | Czechoslovakia |
| 1986 | Jim Sandlak | Canada |
| 1985 | Michal Pivonka | Czechoslovakia |
| 1984 | Raimo Helminen | Finland |
| 1983 | Tomas Sandström | Sweden |
| 1982 | Petri Skriko | Finland |
| 1981 | Patrik Sundström | Sweden |
| 1980 | Vladimir Krutov | Soviet Union |
| 1979 | Vladimir Krutov | Soviet Union |
| 1978 | Wayne Gretzky | Canada |
| 1977 | Dale McCourt | Canada |
Related: Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Defenceman Winner
FAQs on IIHF Junior Championship
A. The World Junior Championship 2024-25 is going to take place in Ottawa, Canada.
A. The United States won the World Junior Championship in 2024.
A. IIHF stands for International Ice Hockey Federation
A. Canada won the most IIHF World Juniors with 20 gold medals.
