Cogliano Wins Gold Medal at World Junior Championship
1/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Freshman forward Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, Ontario) of the University of Michigan ice hockey team aided Team Canada in winning its 12th gold medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship with a 5-0 win over Russia on Thursday night (Jan. 5).
Cogliano had the primary assist on Canada's first and fifth goals in the gold medal game. He also had a goal in the semifinals against Finland and two assists against the Finns in the preliminary round. His tournament totals in six games were one goal, four assists, four penalty minutes and a +4 plus/minus rating.
The Canadians were a perfect 6-0-0 on their home soil and outscored their opponents by a 25-6 margin. Team Canada shut out Finland in the semifinals (4-0) and Russia in the final (5-0). It also blanked Norway (4-0) in the preliminary round.
Canada's 12 gold medals are tied with Russia for the most top finishes in the 30-year history of the World Junior Championship. Canada has earned eight straight medals, including back-to-back gold medals in 2005 and 2006 for the first time since it won five in a row from 1993-97. Canada has 22 medals overall (12 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze), second only to Russia's 25 medals (12 gold, 8 silver, 5 bronze).
N O T E S
The 2006 World Junior Championship was held from Dec. 26, 2005, through Jan. 5, 2006, in Vancouver, Kamploops and Kelowna, British Columbia. The top players worldwide under the age of 20 are eligible for the World Junior Championship each winter.
Eight gold medals have now been won by U-M representatives at the World Junior Championship. Matt Hunwick and Al Montoya were the last to do it in 2004 for USA. For Canada, David Harlock (1991), Jason Botterill (1994-96) and Robb Gordon (1996) achieved the feat prior to Cogliano.
Besides Cogliano playing for Canada, three other Wolverines participated in the World Junior Championship for Team USA. Forward Kevin Porter captained the U.S. squad, and he was joined by freshman defensemen Jack Johnson and Mark Mitera. The U.S. placed fourth in the tournament after falling in the bronze medal game to Finland on Jan. 5. Team USA finished the tournament 3-3-1. Johnson had one goal and five assists in seven games. Porter tallied two goals and four assists in seven games. Mitera had zero points in seven games.
Johnson was named Team USA's Best Player in a 3-2 loss to Canada on Dec. 31. Additionally, he was selected as a tournament all-star by the media, making him just the third Wolverine to earn all-star honors after Mike Cammalleri (Canada-2002) and Al Montoya (USA-2004).
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
