The Festival Special - Eggnog and the World Junior Championships - it's holiday season in Canada

Prelude - Christmas is coming. In Canada that means two things: Eggnog and the World Junior Hockey Championships. The camp to decide the 2007 version of this team opens today in Calgary. To get you ready for hockey talk during your upcoming Christmas party, let's give you a line or two.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Canadian junior players begin quest for Gold Medal at World Junior Championship.

Issue
About the only country that watches the World Junior Championship is Canada. We love our hockey. But seriously, this is a top notch brand of hockey to watch. Most of these players will make it to the NHL. The best analogy is to say that this tournament is the equivalent to a debutante's ball.

A big name at this year's tournament is John Tavares. Already known by hockey die hards, this tournament should put his name into the main stream of hockey fans.

Point to say - "Are you going to watch any of the Canadian Junior games over Christmas Holidays?"

Follow up point - "Do you think Tavares will lead the team to Gold?"

Get out of the conversation - "Oh look, someone brough cake."

Backgrounder
John Tavares plays in the Ontario Hockey League for the Oshawa Generals. Other very notible players that have played for Oshawa include Bobby Orr and Eric Lindros. Tavares is held in the same category as these players. Well, Lindros at least.

Tavares will head off to the junior camp leading the OHL in scoring with 68 points (24 goals and 44 assists).

The World Junior Championships is an annual tournament where the 10 best hockey nations send their top prospects to represent their country. The tournament rotates througout the countries. This year, it is being played in Pardubice, Czech Republic. In fact, it will soon come to Ottawa in 2009. Canada has won the past three tournaments, and finished in the top three since 1999. In fact, Canada is the most decorated country with 26 total top three finishes since 1974. Canada will open defence of its title Canada starts Dec. 26, 2007 against host Czech Republic.

Analysis
Canada should do very well. Just this spring most of these players played in a recreation of the Canada vs Russia hockey series. Canada's junior team went 7-0-1 in a Super Series against Russia in August and September.

Links
Globe and Mail story on upcoming camp.