The World Junior Championship is an annual ice hockey tournament for national under-20 teams which is generally held from late December to early January. It features the top ten ranked nations in the 'Top Division,' competing for the world champion title. Lower divisions also participate, competing for promotion to higher levels. Canada leads in gold medals with an impressive number of 20 medals.
The IIHF also recognizes individual excellence awards after each tournament such as Best Goaltender, Best Defenceman, and Best Forward. These awards often spotlight future hockey stars and many of them have built successful careers in the NHL and globally. .
Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Goaltender winner
The World Junior Championship's Best Goaltender award has been a significant award for emerging talent since its beginning in 1977. As of 2024, no goaltender has won this award more than once which highlights the competitive nature of the tournament. Historically, Sweden has produced a notable number of goaltenders such as Linus Soderstrom, winning the award in 2016 Felix Sandström in 2017, and Filip Gustavsson in 2018.
Other countries with a history of producing top goaltenders include Canada and Russia. Canadian goaltenders such as Devon Levi in 2021 and Joel Hofer in 2020. Russian goaltenders like Pyotr Kochetkov received the award in 2019. In the 2024 tournament, Hugo Hävelid of Sweden was honored as the Best Goaltender.
| Year | Player name | Country |
| 2024 | Hugo Hävelid | Sweden |
| 2023 | Adam Gajan | Slovakia |
| 2022 | Jesper Wallstedt | Sweden |
| 2021 | Devon Levi | Canada |
| 2020 | Joel Hofer | Canada |
| 2019 | Pyotr Kochetkov | Russia |
| 2018 | Filip Gustavsson | Sweden |
| 2017 | Felix Sandström | Sweden |
| 2016 | Linus Söderström | Sweden |
| 2015 | Denis Godla | Slovakia |
| 2014 | Oscar Dansk | Sweden |
| 2013 | John Gibson | United States |
| 2012 | Petr Mrázek | Czech Republic |
| 2011 | Jack Campbell | United States |
| 2010 | Benjamin Conz | Switzerland |
| 2009 | Jacob Markström | Sweden |
| 2008 | Steve Mason | Canada |
| 2007 | Carey Price | Canada |
| 2006 | Tuukka Rask | Finland |
| 2005 | Marek Schwarz | Czech Republic |
| 2004 | Al Montoya | United States |
| 2003 | Marc-André Fleury | Canada |
| 2002 | Kari Lehtonen | Finland |
| 2001 | Tomáš Duba | Czech Republic |
| 2000 | Rick DiPietro | United States |
| 1999 | Roberto Luongo | Canada |
| 1998 | David Aebischer | Switzerland |
| 1997 | Marc Denis | Canada |
| 1996 | José Théodore | Canada |
| 1995 | Yevgeni Tarasov | Russia |
| 1994 | Jamie Storr | Canada |
| 1993 | Manny Legacé | Canada |
| 1992 | Mike Dunham | United States |
| 1991 | Pauli Jaks | Switzerland |
| 1990 | Stéphane Fiset | Canada |
| 1989 | Alexei Ivashkin | Soviet Union |
| 1988 | Jimmy Waite | Canada |
| 1987 | Markus Ketterer | Finland |
| 1986 | Evgeny Belosheikin | Soviet Union |
| 1985 | Craig Billington | Canada |
| 1984 | Alan Perry | United States |
| 1983 | Dominik Hašek | Czechoslovakia |
| 1982 | Mike Moffat | Canada |
| 1981 | Lars Eriksson | Sweden |
| 1980 | Jari Paavola | Finland |
| 1979 | Pelle Lindbergh | Sweden |
| 1978 | Alexander Tyznych | Soviet Union |
| 1977 | Jan Hrabák | Czechoslovakia |
FAQs on IIHF World Junior Championship
A. As of 2024, 48 editions of IIHF World Junior Championship have been held.
A. As of 2024, Canada has won the most IIHF World Junior Championships. They have 20 titles to their name.
A. The United States won the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.
A. Hugo Havelid from Sweden won the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship best goalkeeper award.
