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Posted by Dean McAmmond on December 21, 2007 I was fortunate to get the chance to play for Canada at the 1993 world junior hockey championship in Sweden. Being able to represent your country was a pretty cool thing, looking back at it now. It’s a different feeling. You’re always competing against Canadian guys in your junior hockey league, and now you’re competing with them. That was pretty cool, too. At the beginning of the year, I remember Sweden beat us 8-3 in an exhibition game and Peter Forsberg didn’t even play for them. But we ended up beating them when it counted in the tournament and winning a gold medal. Back then, it was the best record after seven games that determined who won the gold, and we ended up with the best record. They didn’t have the playoff format they use now. We had to beat Japan to have the best record. It was kind of anti-climactic, but that’s how it went. Christmas, of course, is the focal point for a lot of people at this time of the year. But it isn’t the focal point when you’re in that situation. The focal point is playing hockey. And you have a bunch of guys together and you usually do your own Christmas thing. You have a little celebration there. The team doctor at that time dressed up as Santa Claus at our little Christmas party, and we celebrated together. We were in a small Swedish town, it was kind of a like a ski resort. They had an ice rink where we practised and we had little cabins that we stayed in. That’s where we celebrated, and then we went to Gavle for the tournament. Winning that gold medal was special. They went on to win five golds in a row, and we were the team to start that. It’s always fun when you win, right? I had a chance to play with some good players there – Paul Kariya, Chris Pronger and the likes of those guys. |
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Hey Dean!
It's cool that you played for the juniors. Wish I could have seen it! I think the best part in all that is that you get a chance to travel around the world and visit some cool place and meet new people.
Posted by: Veronique Dignard | December 21, 2007 at 03:46 PM
Hey Dean!
I can only imagine what a great experience playing in the junior hockey championships would be, expecially for Canada!
Posted by: Emma | December 22, 2007 at 07:34 AM
That's really cool Dean! Must have been a great experience..a little funny you mentioned playing with Pronger though
Posted by: Mackenzie | December 22, 2007 at 12:14 PM
Hi Dean. Great short-handed goal tonight! I'm impressed that you're generous enough to mention Chris Pronger when talking about the Juniors. I wasn't happy to see TSN use him as a spokesperson after his suspensions in last year's play-offs. Any how, keep up the great playing, and Merry Christmas to you and the rest of the Sens- thanks in advance for giving us some Holiday Wins!
Posted by: Tony V | December 22, 2007 at 08:00 PM
Those experiences are special and probably uncomparable to anything-the people, the city, the hockey. Must have been exciting.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! :)
Posted by: Jessica | December 23, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Hey Dean,
You are such a talented player and obviously the Canadian junior team was lucky to have you! Hope things keep going well for you this season! Good luck against new york tonight! GO SENS GO!!!!!!
- Lauren
PS. Awesome shorthanded goal last night against chicago! Isn't that two for you this season? Keep it coming!!
Posted by: Lauren Potts | December 23, 2007 at 02:07 PM
Good job Dean on the shorty the other night. I forgot about that exhibition loss to Sweden in '93. Merry Christmas guys, oh yeah, get Buffalo!
We love you guys.
Posted by: Deanofan | December 25, 2007 at 11:27 PM
Hello Dean,
what a BEAUTIFUL goal! against the Caps. Too bad for the loss but keep up the hard work.
All the best for the New Year.
Thank you.
Posted by: Smiley | January 02, 2008 at 06:48 AM