WJC History: 1982 - Minnesota, USA

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Canada: 6 W - 0 T - 1 L, Gold Medal

Canada won its first ever gold medal at the 1982 WJHC in Minnesota. The Canadian team outscored its opponents 45-14 while compiling a 6-0-1 record to claim top spot in the round-robin tournament. It was Canada's first attempt at putting together a true, national, junior team and its success paved the way for future golden efforts.

On the way to its first championship, Canada handed the Soviets their worst-ever defeat, a 7-0 shellacking, before tying the Czechs to wrap things up.

While not possessing any future NHL superstars, the 1982 squad boasted a ton of junior talent. Mike Moller finished fourth in tournament scoring and was named the event's all-star left-winger. He was joined on the tournament all-star team by defenceman Gord Kluzak and goaltender Mike Moffat. Kluzak and Moffat also won awards as the tournament's top defenceman and top goaltender, respectively.

Without star power up front, the team relied on a balanced attack. Canada's total of 45 goals was second to Finland's 47 during the tournament, as eleven different players scored at least twice for the red-and-white.

The tournament's top three scorers all came from Finland (Raimo Summanen, Petri Skriko, and Risto Jalo), but the Finns (5-2-0) only managed a bronze medal thanks to a weak defence.

Canada, on the other hand, allowed a tourney-low 14 goals against. Only the Czechs, who won silver after allowing just 17 goals, were close in that department. The next best defensive club, the USSR, coughed up 25 goals.

Kluzak simply dominated in his own zone, with support from future NHL defenders like James Patrick, Gary Nyland, Garth Butcher, Paul Boutilier and Randy Moller. All six were first round NHL Draft picks.

It was on their broad shoulders that Canada claimed its first ever world junior title. 

Team Canada Roster (GP - G - A - Pts)

Mike Moller (7 - 5 - 9 - 14)
Marc Habscheid (7 - 6 - 6 - 12)
Scott Arniel (7 - 5 - 6 - 11)
Bruce Eakin (7 - 4 - 7 - 11)
Paul Cyr (7 - 4 - 6 - 10)
Mark Morrison (7 - 3 - 7 - 10)
Troy Murray (7 - 4 - 4 - 8)
Paul Boutillier (7 - 2 - 5 - 7)
Pierre Rioux (7 - 3 - 3 - 6)
Carey Wilson (7 - 4 - 1 - 5)
Todd Strueby (7 - 0 - 5 - 5)
Gary Nylund (7 - 1 - 3 - 4)
Garth Butcher (7 - 1 - 3 - 4)
Dave Morrison (7 - 1 - 2 - 3)
Randy Moller (7 - 0 - 3 - 3)
Moe Lemay (7 - 2 - 0 - 2)
James Patrick (7 - 0 - 2 - 2)
Gord Kluzak (7 - 0 - 1 - 1) 

Team Canada Goaltending (W-L-T - GAA - SO)

Mike Moffatt (3-0-1 - 1.75 - 1)
Frank Caprice (3-0-0 - 2.33 - 0)