It happens every year.
Canada’s announcement of its preliminary roster for the World Junior Championships is quickly followed by news that Canadian teenagers are the favourites to win the international hockey showcase.
Right on cue, Canada’s 25-man roster was announced Monday, and Tuesday online sportsbook Bodog made Canada a significant 7/4 WJC favourite, according to HockeyOdds.ca.
But a funny thing has happened the past four years after Canada was named the team to beat – they failed to live up to that initial hype and expectation. After winning five straight gold medals between 2005-2009, Canada has not won since and did not medal at all a year ago in Ufa, Russia.
The Russians, Swedes and Americans are tied for second at 3/1 in WJC betting. Team Finland is a long shot at 14/1 but still manages to put together a solid WJC roster each December.
The Czechs are 25/1 and Switzerland is 40/1.
Team Canada will likely feature two members of the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup-winning Halifax Mooseheads. Jonathan Drouin, the third overall pick in June’s NHL draft, has been invited along with teammate Zach Fucale.
Fucale was drafted in the second round by Montreal. Tampa Bay sent Drouin back to Halifax in training camp.
Goaltender Jake Paterson of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, defenceman Griffin Reinhart and forwards Charles Hudon are the only other returning invitees. Hudon played well with Drouin in the Subway Super Series against Russia.
The biggest long shot on World Junior Championship odds? That would be Norway at 500/1.
Odds to win 2013-2014 IIHF World U20 Championship
Canada: 7/4
Russia: 3/1
Sweden: 3/1
USA: 3/1
Finland: 14/1
Czech Republic: 25/1
Switzerland: 40/1
Slovakia: 100/1
Germany: 300/1
Norway: 500/1
