Winning the gold medal at home in front of more than 20,000 people is the first memory that comes to mind when we talk to him about the 2009 tournament. It's hard to ask for a better holiday season for a young man of 19 years.
Goaltending coach Frédéric Chabot had also given him the reins of the team in front of the net. The fifth round pick of the Tampa Bay Lighting had just won the Western Hockey League Championship and the Memorial Cup the previous season. He concluded the tournament with four wins in as many starts with a save percentage of .906 and a goals against average of 2.65.
“It was incredible. Just to represent Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship is a great honor, but to do it at home was even more special. We had a lot of pressure, but also a lot of talent. We had several ups and downs, but fortunately for us, we were able to find a way to win.”
This title of number one goalie on the Canadian team comes with immense pressure, especially when the tournament is presented to the country. It should also be remembered that Canada was aiming for a fifth consecutive gold medal in 2009 for the second time in its history.
“The pressure is enormous, but it’s also a privilege. I'll take that pressure and that honor of representing Canada any day of the week.”
“I really had to learn to turn off the sound around me and just play the game like it was a regular game. You should not change the way you prepare, regardless of the stakes of the match. You shouldn’t think too much and have confidence in your skills.”
Junior Team Canada beat Team Sweden 5-1 in the grand final to get their hands on a fifth gold medal in a row. (Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images/AFP)
A different view of Eberle's goal
Obviously Jordan Eberle's equalizing goal in the semi-final against the Russians was the most striking moment of the competition and potentially of its entire rich history. Tokarski remembers the sequence very well. His vision and state of mind, however, were very different from all his teammates.
“I was on the bench and like everyone else, I was praying for us to score. Everyone celebrated when Jordan scored, but I had to get back in front of the net and stop the pucks. The match was far from won. I had to be better than I had been during the first three periods.”
As overtime was unsuccessful, this classic duel ended in a shootout. Eberle and John Tavares scored while Tokarski was perfect in front of his net.
“We scored from the start which gave me an extra dose of confidence. I don't remember my first stop, but the second one is very clear in my head. It was a short shootout, but I'm very lucky that we scored two goals. It allowed me to be more aggressive. I had to make sure I did my job because I had full confidence that the guys were going to do theirs.”
Jordan Eberle's legendary equalizing goal in the semi-final of the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championship against Russia in Ottawa. (YouTube/RDS)
A springboard for his career
The hockey player from Humboldt in Saskatchewan is one of the last active players on this Canadian team. He is currently in his 16th professional season. Despite all his experiences, the 2009 tournament still holds a special place in his record.
“I have been lucky to experience many great moments in my career and this tournament is clearly among the best. I was 19 at the time and you feel like it's the most important thing in your life. I had my family and friends in the stands. It was a turning point in my career.”
Dustin Tokarski has played at least one game with six different teams in the NHL. (George Walker IV/Archives AP)
Without necessarily stealing the show in the tournament, Tokarski even received the label of winner which has stuck with him ever since. It must be said that in addition to his conquests at the junior level, he also engraved his name on the Calder Cup in the American Hockey League twice.
“Everyone has a different journey. Many don't play in the tournament and have great careers, some reverse it and some have both. It's an experience I will never forget. We won and I was able to demonstrate that I could step up my game in important moments. I had my best match in the final.”
He will try to add the Stanley Cup to his collection this season, as he now defends the cage for the Carolina Hurricanes.
