Toronto Maple Leafs at the World Hockey Championships
The World Hockey Championships have come to an end with one Toronto Maple Leafs forward claiming a gold medal for his country.
Unfortunately for many Toronto Maple Leafs fans that forward is not John Tavares who was named captain of Team Canada. It was another disappointment for the former Oshawa General as he failed to come home with any type of medal after Canada lost in the bronze medal game to Sweden by a score 4-2.
Tavares had some highs and lows throughout the tournament as he finished tied for the team lead in scoring with Dylan Cozens at 11 points apiece, but gathered just two goals. Chris Johnston did mention on his podcast that he felt that Tavares was the best player in the tournament for Canada.
This is the fourth time that Tavares has played in the tournament and first time since 2012. Over 31 games the former first overall pick has 36 points, however has failed to win a medal at any of his four appearances.
The Maple Leafs captain will now gear his off-season to prepare for the final season of his seven year deal with the club.
David Kampf Wins Gold Medal
David Kampf showed some offensive upside for Czechia as he finished the tournament fourth on his team in points with seven in ten games.
Czechia was the host country was the surprise team of the tournament upsetting Team USA in the quarter finals by a score of 1-0 before trouncing Sweden 7-3 in the semi finals and finally dispatching Switzerland in the Gold Medal Game 2-0.
This was the second time that Kampf has represented his country at the World Hockey Championships after collecting three points in six games in 2022 where he took home a bronze medal.
Kampf took down teammate Pontus Holmberg in the semi finals who was representing Sweden. Holmberg played in all ten games for his country and although he did not score he finished the tournament with six assists, which was just one behind team leader Rasmus Dahlin.
In the Bronze Medal game, Holmberg was able to help take down Canada to collect the medal. This was the second time Holmberg has played at the tournament as he skated in two games back in 2021 for Sweden.
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All three Maple Leafs players that represented their countries are signed through at least next season and are expected to back with the club for the upcoming year.