16 of ’16: Canada on top of men’s hockey world
With the year coming to a close, Olympic.ca will look back at 16 of the most memorable Team Canada stories of 2016. As a new “16 of ‘16” story is revealed daily, you can find the entire series here.
Looking back at it now, it seems hard to believe that only two short years ago Canada hadn’t hoisted a men’s IIHF World Championship trophy in seven years.
An eternity in Canadian hockey fan years.
In 2016, Canada cemented its return to the top of the hockey world, winning back-to-back gold for the first time since 2004. Both years also saw Canadians victorious at the NHL World Cup of Hockey.
READ: Canada beats Finland to win hockey worlds gold for second straight year
Canadian players celebrate winning gold at IIHF worlds final over Finland on May 22, 2016.
Lead by Corey Perry, Canada blanked Finland 2-0 in the men’s IIHF final thanks to goals from Connor McDavid and Matt Duchene with the team finishing the tournament having only suffered a single loss in the preliminary round.
In a year where all seven NHL franchises north of the border failed to qualify for the postseason, this win served as a chance for Canadian hockey fans to come together and enjoy a much needed championship run.
Corey Perry enters ‘triple gold club’
With the win, the Canadian captain made hockey history in Russia, becoming only the 27th player to join the select ‘triple gold club’ of players who have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold and an IIHF World Championship.
Corey Perry holds up the IIHF World Championship trophy after Canada beat Finland 2-0 on May 22, 2016.
Perry got the ball rolling en route to legend status back in 2007 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in only his second year in the league. He added Olympic gold to his resume in 2010 and 2014 before completing the golden hat trick.
READ: Perry newest member of elite ‘Triple Gold Club‘
At next year’s tournament, which will be held in France and Germany May 1st to 21st, Canada will try to win its 27th men’s World title which would tie Russia for most all time.
