For many hockey fans, the winter holidays are one of the best times of the year.
Beginning annually on Boxing Day, the world's top hockey players under the age of 20 take to the ice to represent their home nations in the prestigious IIHF World Junior Championship. Not only do the World Juniors provide an excellent early glimpse of many of the NHL's future stars, but as the growing popularity of the event shows, it also provides some of the most exciting, entertaining hockey of the entire year.
Finland took home the gold last year on home ice, defeating Russia 4-3 in a thrilling overtime finale thanks to incredible performances from Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi.