The 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship starts in just hours. Canada has dominated the WJHC, winning gold the past five tournaments and capturing a medal for 11 straight years.

The team made its final roster cuts last week releasing forwards Philippe Cornet, Cody Eakin, Scott Glennie and Louis Leblanc, defencemen Tyler Cuma, Shawn Lalonde and Dylan Olsen and goaltenders Matt Hackett and Olivier Roy.

Twenty of the players named to Canada’s final roster were drafted in either the 2008 or 2009 NHL Entry Draft, including ten first-round selections and five second-round picks.

Goaltenders:

Jake Allen, Montreal Juniors

Martin Jones, Calgary Hitmen

Defencemen:

Jared Cowen, Spokane Chiefs

Calvin de Haan, Oshawa Generals

Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires

Travis Hamonic, Moose Jaw Warriors

Marco Scandella, Val d’Or Foreurs

Colten Teubert, Regina Pat

Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues (Niagara IceDogs in 2008-09)

Forwards:

Luke Adam, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Gabriel Bourque, Baie-Comeau Drakkar

Jordan Caron, Rimouski Oceanic

Patrice Cormier, Rimouski Oceanic

Stefan Della Rovere, Barrie Colts

Jordan Eberle, Regina Pats

Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires

Adam Henrique, Windsor Spitfires

Nazem Kadri, London Knights

Brandon Kozun, Calgary Hitmen

Brandon McMillan, Kelowna Rockets

Greg Nemisz, Windsor Spitfires

Brayden Schenn, Brandon Wheat Kings

Canada has medaled at eleven straight IIHF World Junior Championships including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001.

As far as predictions go,TSN’s Bob McKenzie write’s:

“I don’t really do specific predictions for this tournament, but I would say Canada and Sweden – on paper – are considered co-favourites, but the Russians are also a threat for the gold medal,” McKenzie said.  “I think the U.S. is a sleeper pick – not experienced enough to rate as a pre-tournament favourite for gold but it’s a young and talented team that could upset or knock off one of the gold medal threats.  It’s tough to bet against Canada on home ice, though.”

What do you think, can Canada do it again? Leave your comments below…

For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team and the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, including the complete Team Canada roster go to www.hockeycanada.ca/2010juniors .