image 86 a37791 f d98 861 f a6 c160 e15 f b b88 c a

WJC Memories Pure Gold for Hartsburg

Rob Brodie

WJC.033.08

December 29, 2008

()

2008 IIHF World Junior Championship

Even with his thoughts occupied by more pressing hockey matters, Craig Hartsburg doesn't need much to be reminded of the power of those moments.

The two occasions in which he guided Canada to gold-medal triumphs at the IIHF World Junior Championship are likely seared in his memory forever. The Ottawa Senators head coach was behind the bench for Canadian victories in the Czech Republic last year and Sweden in 2007. It was a time he admits he'll likely never forget, no matter what happens during the rest of his coaching career.

"It's such an intense, emotional tournament," Hartsburg said in reflecting on a tournament that has grown by leaps and bounds since he played in it himself in 1978. "It's really hard to describe unless you're right inside of it. That's the thing that was amazing to me."

The emotions were churning all around him at the 2007 World Juniors in Leksand, Sweden, when Canada edged the U.S. 2-1 in an incredible semifinal that saw Jonathan Toews score three times for Canada in the dramatic shootout that decided the game.

Canada went on to beat Russia 4-2 for the gold medal but the semifinal remains a moment for the ages.

"It was an incredible experience and it was something I've never seen before or even been a part of before," said Hartsburg. "It was very stressful. The thing that comes to my mind is when we finally won that shootout over the U.S., I looked over at the (team) doctor and trainer and they were both in tears. I saw my wife after the game and she was in tears.

"You don't really know the emotions. When you're involved in it, you're more (caught up) in the thinking process."

It was high drama of a different kind last January in the Czech Republic, when Canada squandered a 2-0 lead in the gold medal game and saw Sweden tie it in the final minute before Matt Halischuk's overtime goal gave Canada its fourth straight World Junior gold.

"Winning the gold medal in overtime was certainly a thrill for everybody there but I think the whole country as well," said Hartsburg. "To see the looks on the kids' faces and the smiles and the tears of joy is something you'll never forget."

He doesn't doubt the double gold will always rate among his greatest career highlights.

"For every kid and player or coach in Canada, other than winning a Stanley Cup, your dream is to help your country win a gold medal, whether it's the Juniors or at the Olympics," said Hartsburg. "Just talking about it right now, it brings shivers down your spine. At the end of your career, when you sit back and look at things, those certainly will be highlights of my career."