Ottawa, Ontario - 5 January 2015
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement congratulating Team Canada on their gold medal at the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Hockey Championship, which was held on home ice in Montreal and Toronto:
"On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to congratulate our junior men's hockey team on their incredible achievement at this year's World Junior Hockey Championship. I would also like to extend my congratulations to the team's coaches and organizers, who played a pivotal role in this success.
"Thanks is also due to all participating teams for once again providing fans around the world with great moments in sport, as well as the cities of Montreal and Toronto for co-hosting such a successful tournament.
"Every year, the World Juniors are part of the holiday tradition for many devoted hockey enthusiasts, including my family. The whole country is immensely proud of the hard work and dedication that this team demonstrated throughout the entire tournament, earning Canada its 16th gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships since 1977 and its 29th medal overall. The team's performance has undoubtedly inspired many aspiring hockey stars.
"This victory, which comes on the heels of gold medal wins for our men's and women's hockey teams at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, is further proof that hockey is Canada's game.
"Along with hockey fans everywhere, I look forward to next year's World Junior Championship, which will be held in Helsinki, Finland."
