The Rave in Red Deer: 1995 World Junior Hockey Championships

Alberta Atmosphere

All of Alberta opened its arms for the 1995 World Junior Hockey Championships.

Perhaps the Western welcome led Team Canada to its perfect 7-0 record en route to a third straight gold medal.

While the hosts played five of seven games in Red Deer, the event also staged contests across the province, and included stops in Edmonton, Calgary, Stettler, Leduc, Spruce Grove, Innisfail, Rocky Mountain House, Wetaskiwin, Sherwood Park, Lacombe, Camrose and Ponoka.

The hosts played a pair of pre-tournament exhibition games in Grande Prairie, emerging with victories over Finland and Sweden.

Solid Gold

The Canadian contingent set a tournament record with 23 power-play goals, while five players finished with 10 points or more, also a record. For good measure, the Canucks won the Fair Play Cup for having the least amount of penalty minutes in the tourney.

The Canadian roster was bolstered by the availability of all under-20 National Hockey League players due to the owners’ lockout. Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Smyth of Banff, who would finish tied for fifth in team scoring with seven points, was among the most notable. Other Canadians from NHL rosters were Alexandre Daigle, Jason Allison, Todd Harvey and Jeff Friesen.

Smyth sets the Tone

Team Canada would play its first three games in Red Deer. Smyth picked up two points as Canada bombed Ukraine 7-1 in the opener. In Canada’s second game, Smyth scored the first goal in a 9-1 shellacking of Germany.

Canada’s third tilt was an 8-3 win over a United States squad that included future Oilers forward Mike Grier. Smyth registered a point for the third straight game, an assist on Canada’s seventh goal.

Czech that

Canada met its match in its fourth game against the Czech Republic in Calgary. Three unanswered goals in the third period led to a 7-5 Canadian triumph. Smyth picked up an assist on Canada’s third marker.

Edmonton hosted Canada’s fifth game, a 6-4 win over Finland. Ironically, Smyth’s point streak ended in the city where he would collect his share of points in years to come. Finland’s Janne Niinimaa, who would play for the Oilers from 1998-2003, notched a goal and an assist in his future home.

Return to Red Deer

It was back to Red Deer for the last two games. Canada improved to 6-0 when it outlasted Russia, 8-5. Smyth chipped in with an assist on Canada’s seventh goal.

The Canucks capped the event with a 4-3 win over Sweden. Russia went 5-2 to claim the silver medal while Sweden won the bronze.

[back] [top]