Five current Oilers who have won gold at the World Juniors

The U20 World Juniors is always an exciting tournament, featuring some of the best 20-and-under hockey players competing for their countries against other nations, all in the hopes of winning a gold medal during the holiday season.

For many households, it’s a cherished tradition to gather with loved ones, devour Christmas leftovers, and tune into some exciting hockey. Personally, some of my favourites from past World Juniors include watching Jonathan Toews score pressure-packed shootout goals in 2007, former Oiler Jordan Eberle score clutch tallies for Team Canada in 2009, and the former ‘Bison King’ Jesse Puljujärvi dominate the tournament in 2016, becoming the first player from Finland to win MVP honours.

With that in mind, several current Oilers have represented their country at the World Juniors, but only five managed to capture gold, and we dive into their journeys below.

Curtis Lazar Won Gold at the 2015 World Juniors with Team Canada

Oilers’ centerman Curtis Lazar represented Team Canada on several occasions as a teenager, playing at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, the 2012 U-18 Ivan Hlinka – Gretzky Cup, and the 2014 World Juniors, where Canada finished fourth, with Lazar recording seven points in seven games.

After finishing fourth in 2014, Lazar received a huge honour at the 2015 World Juniors, having been selected as team captain, with Sam Reinhart and Connor McDavid serving as alternates.

SportsCentre

@SportsCentre·Follow

Curtis Lazar named Team Canada captain for 2015 World Juniors. Sam Reinhart and Connor McDavid alternates #TSN

4:44 PM · Dec 22, 2014

199

Reply

Copy link

Read 2 replies

That said, he connected on goals with future Oilers teammate McDavid on several occasions, including in the quarterfinal, where Lazar converted off of a pass from McDavid en route to an 8–0 win over Denmark.

Canada beat Slovakia in the semifinals and faced a tough Russian squad in the gold medal game, defeating them in a 5-4 thriller. After winning the gold medal, Team Canada’s captain, Lazar, reflected on the camaraderie with his teammates, saying:

“The unity and the chemistry we have in the dressing room. I mean, everyone got along. Myself being captain, I take it upon myself to bring everyone together. I joined the camp late, but by that time, everyone was a part of it; that’s big. You go on the ice, you’re playing for each other.”

Overall, Lazar finished the 2015 World Juniors sixth in points with nine in seven games, scored one game-winning goal, and played a strong two-way game, finishing with a 8 plus/minus.

Connor McDavid Won Gold at the 2015........

© Oilers Nation