The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship (colloquially known as the World Junior Hockey Championship, WJHC) is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world. It is traditionally held in late December, ending in the beginning of January.
The main tournament features the top ten ranked hockey nations in the world, comprising the 'Top Division', from which a world champion is crowned. There are also three lower pools - divisions I, II and III - that each play separate tournaments playing for the right to be promoted to a higher pool, or face relegation to a lower pool.
The 2008 event took place in Pardubice and Liberec, Czech Republic, with Canada winning the tournament for the fourth straight year.
