Isn't it going to be one of the most interesting WHC in years?

[LaGu]

You can't be very old then, if your memory does not reach back ten years. They have been to these games before. Participated to every top level WHC tournament from 1998 to 2004.

Back in those days when the current ranking system was not yet in place, the IIHF had a slot booked to the Asian champion, usually (or well, technically always) Japan.

2015 was a strong year for Asia.

Kazakhstan promted to WHC from Division IA.
South Korea promoted from Division IB to Division IA.
China promoted from Division IIB to Divison IIA.
North Korea promoted from Divison III to Division IIB.


All hail Google

 

[LaGu]

By the way, I still remember Japan's glorious exit from the WHC in 2004. Last game Denmark - Japan, the winner stays up, the loser gets sent down, 3-3 in the 3rd period:



Japan has never managed to come back up again after that.

 

[KCC]

Canada failed to dominate with star studded rosters in 11/12, 12/13 most recently. So I don't expect them do any different this year.

They've always had good players attend, but not great like the amount of top players on this years team. Mainly because most of the top talent has always been in the playoffs. This year however most of the top talent is out early or didn't even make it.

And generally most countries always bring their top talent while Canada doesn't. It's why the Worlds has been considered the B Championships for Canada. If they bring in most of their top talent though like this year they will probably always at least medal year after year.

 

[firewagonHOCKEY]

"Isn't it going to be one of the most interesting WHC in years?"


Probably the most boring WC in ages. Everyone except Canada are aiming for Silver.

 

[LaGu]

They've always had good players attend, but not great like the amount of top players on this years team. Mainly because most of the top talent has always been in the playoffs. This year however most of the top talent is out early or didn't even make it.

And generally most countries always bring their top talent while Canada doesn't. It's why the Worlds has been considered the B Championships for Canada. If they bring in most of their top talent though like this year they will probably always at least medal year after year.

You could fill a complete roster with players that declined to join Sweden this year, and last, and the year before. Not players in the playoffs, but players that declined to participate. And almost all years it would arguably be a better roster than the one we ended up with with a fairly significant margin.

Olympics is A, WHC is B, not only for Canada. It doesn't mean it is not great fun though.


edit: You need generally need a great top 6 + 1st D pair and a solid bottom 6 + bottom 2 D pairs. Canada almost always has a great top 6. This time you can argue that everyone is great, but you cannot really argue against a roster like that of 2012 and 2013. Those rosters were favorites on paper, or at the very least 2nd favorites behind Russia, and frankly they should have gotten a medal year after year. I am not trying to bash Canada in any way, but just because CAN got an even better roster, an all-star roster imo, this year you cannot dismiss the fact they have had good/great rosters almost every year. If you look at Canada by itself you can say the rosters were decent/good, but you have to look at them in comparison with other teams, and in that case I'd argue that they have had great rosters almost every year.

 

[ebis]

I thought so too and then I saw a billboard for the WChampionships while walking through Prague.

Motto "You gotta come see that" with a Picture of.....
...
...
Miro Satan? Why?

This is so brilliantly random

 

[usahockey22flyers]

Usually the year before an olympics is the best year for the WHC's.

2009, 2013. Players want to get noticed by the federation. USA Hockey has said that they hold value in players answering the call and participating in the WHC.

It seems to me that a lot of Americans have a somewhat legitimate excuse this year. Some have a child on the way, some have injuries etc.

Good on the guys from any country who do answer the call following a long season of professional hockey.