Lessons learned by returning World Junior players

Zac Jones has a different appreciation for speed after playing at the World Juniors. (Getty Images)

The hockey world was captivated by the great holiday tradition that is the IIHF World Junior Championship. Earlier this month, players from Hockey East and ECAC programs returned from playing on the world’s stage during the 2020 edition held in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic.

This year’s United States roster included six Hockey East (five current, one former) and two current ECAC players. In addition, two Boston Bruins prospects (John Beecher, Michigan, and Curtis Hall, Yale) and two local assistants were on Minnesota Duluth boss Scott Sandelin’s Team USA coaching staff: Northeastern’s Jerry Keefe and Dartmouth’s David Lassonde.

Now that the local collegians have played in games since the World Juniors tournament ended, here is a look at what some of them learned from the experience and how the tournament’s aftermath impacts hockey and life upon their return to campus: