Sports
Salvian: There’s no world juniors for women. What would it take to make it happen?
The top under-20 men’s players from Czechia, Finland, Sweden and the United States will vie for a spot in the gold medal game during the semifinals of the 2024 World Junior Championship on Thursday.
The best women in that age group won’t have the chance. They never have.
Since 1977 the IIHF has sanctioned a men’s world juniors. The world’s best female hockey players compete in annual under-18 and senior national championships, tournaments which began years after their male counterparts. And even though the women’s game is rapidly growing — look no further than what will be a multi-million dollar investment into the professional game with the PWHL — there is still no women’s world juniors.
That’s something Team Canada and Team USA general managers Gina Kingsbury and Katie Million want to change.
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“The U20 group is the missing piece,” Million said in an interview with The Athletic. “It’s been (our) dream to make this happen.”
There have been discussions with the IIHF about a potential women’s world juniors within the last year, Million said, but in recent committee meetings the idea has been voted down largely because other nations outside the U.S. and Canada aren’t ready to add another team to their women’s programming.
It’s true that Canada and the U.S. have dominated at the under-18 level, just as their senior teams have — no other nation has won a U18 gold medal since the tournament started in 2008. But there has been noticeable growth. Last year, Sweden beat Team USA in the semifinals and won a second silver medal after making it to the gold medal game for the first time in 2018. And it was Nela Lopušanová, a 14-year-old from Slovakia, who was the star of the 2023 tournament.
Lopušanová might be the most obvious example of growth in international women’s hockey. If the IIHF had decided women’s hockey wasn’t ready for a U18 tournament all those years ago, Lopušanová probably wouldn’t have become one of the most exciting young players to watch right now.
“We have to start somewhere,” Million said.
The main critique of all levels of women’s international hockey has typically been that Canada and the U.S. are going to win everything, so what’s the point? It’s a stale argument.
Because what’s also true is that two countries have dominated the men’s world juniors over its nearly 50-year history. Canada and Russia, or formerly the Soviet Union and CIS teams, have won 33 of the 47 gold medals since the tournament officially began. Canada, with 20, has won nearly half of the possible championships and only missed the podium a 13 times. Only six teams have ever won over five decades of competition.
Since 2013, only Canada (5), Finland (3), and the U.S. (3) have won gold.
If you’re OK with two or three teams dominating a men’s tournament, why is it a problem when it happens with women?
Team Canada has been dominant at the world juniors — their early exit at this year’s tournament notwithstanding — and this has become entwined with national pride and making hockey “Canada’s Game.” Why do we celebrate this, and then use Canadian women’s dominance as a reason to not play?
It’s entirely possible, even with two teams at the top, to grow interest in a niche product. That’s what the men’s world juniors was before TSN bought the rights in 1991. Now it’s must-see TV, particularly in Canada because of the team’s dominance and TSN’s investment.
“It’s a spectacle here in Canada,” said Canadian Olympian Sarah Nurse. “And I think that speaks to TSN, the media and how they’ve been able to spin a tournament into this Canadian tradition. I think we can do the same thing with women’s events.”
Claire Thompson never made a U18 national team before playing for Princeton, where she was noticed by Team Canada scouts only because they had gone to watch Sarah Fillier play. (Dan Hamilton / USA Today)
With the right partners, and money, of course.
But besides all that, a women’s world juniors would be vital for the overall health of women’s hockey and would provide a critical — and missing — opportunity for development.
Under-18 or -19 female hockey players, for the most part, are well served. There are club team championships and U18 nationals in Canada. USA Hockey has national championships for 19U girls. And, of course, there’s the IIHF under-18 world championships.
But very few players in North America can jump from U18s or high school hockey right to the senior women’s national team — Marie-Philip Poulin, who went from U18 worlds to senior worlds in 2008-09, is one of the few to have done it — which creates a large gap in opportunity for the top players in the sport. Team USA and Canada have played an under-22 series since 1999 — it’s now called the collegiate series — but that’s typically only three games played in August.
“Those kids that are on a U18 team, we don’t see them again until they’re maybe junior, senior in college or post-grad,” Million explained. “It only helps our development of those players to have that touch point when they’re younger and keep them in our culture and playing our systems.”
An under-20 team would expose decision-makers in the game to a potentially different set of players at a critical point in their careers, or provide more touch points for the development of stars from their under-18 years. Players are different at 19 years old than they are at 17 — some take off, others might go the other way — but there is no perfect way for national teams to track that progress other than scouting college teams.
“There is almost this forgotten group of players,” said Nurse. “You see girls at 16, 17, 18 years old and send them off to college. And they have to hope that our GM or scouts are at games at the right times and are talking to the right people.”
Take Claire Thompson as a recent example. The Canadian defender did not make an under-18 national team before heading off to Princeton in 2016 and was only spotted by Team Canada scouts who were sent to watch her teammate Sarah Fillier. Thompson was quickly invited to the under-22 team and went on to set a record at the 2022 Olympics for points by a defender.
“Imagine a player like that slipping through the cracks,” said Nurse.
It would also provide the opportunity for players who are too old for U18s and just outside the senior team to continue to play important games.
At 19 years old, Laila Edwards has already made history as the first Black woman to play for Team USA and is expected to become one of the faces of the game — in due time. She should be squarely in the mix to make the 2024 world championship roster, but if she’s not quite ready she won’t have any national team opportunities until USA Hockey’s annual August training camp. And then she wouldn’t play in international competition until the 2025 worlds, should she make that roster.
Of course someone like Edwards can continue to develop in college, but it would only aid her development to get into competitive international games.
Player development is not just about Team Canada and Team USA anymore, either. Not with the first-ever PWHL season officially underway. Men’s world juniors offers not just one of the most prestigious stages for young hockey players, but an opportunity to significantly boost their draft stock heading into the NHL Draft.
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Let’s consider TSN for a moment again. The network promotes the world juniors as an opportunity to watch the future legends of the game before they become legends. One promo for the 2023 world juniors said, “Before they were household names they were here on TSN.”
Women’s hockey players should be afforded the same opportunity, to not just grow as players, but to announce themselves on a big stage. Fans, too, deserve to know who to watch for, or who to hope their favorite team drafts in the first round of the PWHL Draft.
So, what next? And what could this look like?
At first, it could be as simple as Canada and the U.S. expanding their national team offerings. Each summer, Canada’s U18 and Collegiate teams face off in a mini-series. Maybe they could add an under-20 — next generation — rivalry series to the mix.
Or maybe, instead of a 10-team tournament like the men’s world juniors, it’s a smaller number of teams like a Four Nations tournament, but for the under-20 age group. Maybe it’s a World Cup-style tournament with teams from Canada, the United States and Europe. The latter option would allow top players — like Lopušanová — from countries that might not have enough U20 players for a full roster to be in the mix.
What a women’s world junior offering might look like remains to be seen. The timing is even more challenging to predict.
Hopefully these decisions are made soon, though. Because every year that goes by is another missed opportunity to grow the game.
(Photo: Dennis Pajot / Getty Images)
Sports
Titans star Jeffery Simmons calls burglars ‘f—ing cowards’ after home break-in during game vs 49ers
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Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons ripped into those who burglarized his home while he played against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
There were “at least six suspects” who burglarized Simmons’ Nashville home, which came shortly after 7 p.m., the Metro Nashville Police Department told ESPN.
That was the exact time frame the Titans were facing the 49ers in the Bay Area.
Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans looks on during halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on Nov. 30, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
“What if any of my family members was in my house??” Simmons wrote on social media while showing security camera footage of the burglars trying to enter his home. “All that materialistic s—- you can have but this is crazy!”
Simmons also called the burglars “f—ing cowards,” though he was complimentary of the Metro Nashville PD.
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“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Titans’ security team for their professionalism and swift response,” Simmons said in a statement. “Their dedication to ensuring the safety of our entire Nashville community does not go unnoticed. I remain thankful for God’s protection and grace.”
The suspects were said to have gained entry to Simmons’ home “after smashing out window glass,” while “multiple items were taken” in the process.
It’s unclear exactly what was taken from Simmons’ home.
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) reacts after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 7, 2025. (Scott Galvin/Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, Simmons was able to find the end zone despite the loss to the 49ers, so a good personal performance came to a screeching halt once he found out the news.
But unfortunately, Simmons isn’t the only NFL star who has been burglarized while playing a game.
Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had it happen last season, as did Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. All of those burglaries were in connection with a South American theft group that was specifically targeting NFL and NBA players.
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Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders also saw $200,000 worth of property taken from his residence while they were playing the Baltimore Ravens earlier this season.
The Titans’ security team said it is “actively working” with local police to recover the stolen items.
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MONDAY’S RESULTS
BOYS
CITY SECTION
AMIT 43, Valley Oaks CES 25
Arleta 70, Monroe 59
Bell 52, South East 34
Bravo 83, View Park 82
CALS Early College 36, Magnolia Science Academy 20
Contreras 86, Belmont 15
Downtown Magnets 65, Lincoln 61
East College Prep 51, Brio College Prep 38
East Valley 46, Van Nuys 31
Fulton 63, Lakeview Charter 20
Garfield 48, South Gate 34
Granada Hills Kennedy 68, Reseda 23
LA Roosevelt 60, Legacy 47
Locke 59, Animo Watts 56
Orthopaedic 69, Annenberg 44
RFK Community 58, Mendez 49
Sun Valley Poly73, North Hollywood 58
Triumph Charter 69, LA Marshall 59
Vaughn 73, Panorama 58
SOUTHERN SECTION
ACE 82, PAL Academy 54
Alta Loma 48, Diamond Ranch 41
Anaheim 70, Magnolia 27
Arroyo 71, El Monte 28
Bell Gardens 68, Glenn 39
Bonita 60, San Dimas 56
Chaparral 76, California 71
Colton 83, Desert Hot Springs 67
Costa Mesa 75, Savanna 68
Crossroads Christian 39, Grove School 28
Desert Christian 67, Lancaster Baptist 54
Eastside 71, Quartz Hill 64
El Rancho 66, Duarte 30
Elsinore 58, Great Oak 55
Gabrielino 51, Rosemead 46
Highland 53, Antelope Valley 34
Hillcrest 68, Indian Springs 61
Knight 86, Lancaster 32
Lakeside 54, Patriot 42
Liberty 67, Beaumont 64
Magnolia Science Academy 55, Legacy College Prep 31
Malibu 69, Nordhoff 34
Mary Star of the Sea 64, Chadwick 60
Mesa Grande Academy 85, RSCSM 30
Mesrobian 47, New Covenant Academy 44
Montclair 84, Rim of the World 45
Moreno Valley 53, Vista del Lago 44
Ontario 68, La Sierra 27
Orange 59, Pasadena Marshall 37
Paloma Valley 56, San Jacinto 48
Pasadena 80, Burbank 53
Placentia Valencia 60, Santa Ana 32
Perris 81, Heritage 45
Redlands 46, Banning 41
Rialto 65, Norco 64
Riverside King 57, Riverside Poly 55
Santa Maria 86, Valley Christian Academy 69
Serrano 48, Arroyo Valley 37
Sherman Indian 59, California Lutheran 53
Summit 73, Yucaipa 56
Thousand Oaks 72, Simi Valley 40
Valley Torah 100, St. Monica Academy 68
Valley View 75, Jurupa Valley 45
Vasquez 98, PACS 40
Viewpoint 60, Hillcrest Christian 37
Westlake 51, Oak Park 37
Whitney 69, Godinez 63
Woodbridge 69, El Toro 48
INTERSECTIONAL
Compton 74, Crenshaw 53
Gahr 76, Rancho Dominguez 52
Marquez 65, Whittier 30
New Roads 47, Animo Venice 28
San Gabriel 66, Sotomayor 39
GIRLS
CITY SECTION
Animo Robinson 37, Smidt Tech 33
Animo Watts 55, Locke 29
Brio College Prep 24, East College Prep 20
Contreras 42, Belmont 4
Crenshaw 41, Torres 16
Granada Hills Kennedy 67, Reseda 15
Grant 64, Chavez 3
Hollywood 44, Roybal 12
Northridge Academy 58, East Valley 9
Orthopaedic 25, Annenberg 14
RFK Community 27, Mendez 18
Sherman Oaks CES 75, Fulton 7
South East 35, Bell 27
Verdugo Hills 56, Eagle Rock 31
SOUTHERN SECTION
Aliso Niguel 60, Edison 23
Arroyo 34, El Monte 25
Arroyo Valley 42, San Gorgonio 29
Baldwin Park 60, La Puente 15
Bonita 48, San Dimas 39
Burbank 64, Pasadena 40
Carter 77, Adelanto 54
Chino 58, Ayala 38
Citrus Valley 54, Liberty 52
Coachella Valley 45, Palo Verde Valley 36
Covina 49, Sierra Vista 40
Desert Christian 46, Lancaster Baptist 27
Don Lugo 53, Bloomington 16
Eastside 56, Quartz Hill 24
El Modena 40, Irvine University 15
El Segundo 60, Montebello 18
Flintridge Sacred Heart 50, Muir 43
Fontana 50, Patriot 42
Foothill Tech 35, Santa Barbara 23
Gabrielino 40, Rosemead 27
Garden Grove 53, Garden Grove Pacifica 17
Glenn 36, Firebaugh 11
Heritage 56, Corona 38
Highland 60, Antelope Valley 26
Hillcrest 61, Valley View 37
Irvine 36, Tustin 34
Jurupa Valley 47, Norco 19
Laguna Beach 42, Savanna 39
Lancaster 55, Knight 22
Loma Linda Academy 42, Desert Chapel 13
Los Altos 60, Mayfair 23
Los Amigos 43, Artesia 25
Mesa Grande Academy 80, River Springs Charter 10
Monrovia 39, Ramona Convent 31
Newbury Park 55, Santa Paula 26
Nordhoff 54, Cate 31
Paramount 58, Lakewood 40
Redlands 35, Banning 19
Royal 47, Channel Islands 39
San Jacinto Valley Academy 34, Santa Rosa Academy 26
Santa Maria 61, Valley Christian Academy 37
Schurr 45, California 37
Segerstrom 49, Long Beach Wilson 46
Silver Valley 55, Sultana 30
Southlands Christian 49, Bassett 10
Temple City 35, San Gabriel 27
Twentynine Palms 55, Cathedral City 13
Vasquez 45, Palmdale Academy Charter 6
Vista Murrieta 40, Beaumont 37
Western Christian 64, Workman 14
West Torrance 74, Torrance 36
Whittier Christian 68, NOVA Academy 13
Wiseburn-Da Vinci 66, South Torrance 60
Woodbridge 66, Katella 37
Yucaipa 51, Summit 46
YULA 64, ISLA 26
INTERSECTIONAL
Compton Centennial 43, Rancho Dominguez 16
Dominguez 50, LA Jordan 8
LACES 62, Inglewood 35
Warner 40, Anza Hamilton 33
Westchester 53, Leuzinger 52
Sports
South Carolina legend Steve Taneyhill, known for iconic ‘home run’ touchdown celebration, dead at 52
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Former South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhill, who played for the Gamecocks from 1992-95, has died at 52.
The Gamecocks athletic department confirmed on Monday that Taneyhill died overnight in his sleep, though no cause of death was provided.
“Taneyhill was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006,” the Gamecocks said in a statement about his death. “He was named Freshman of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Football News Freshman All-America in 1992.
USC Steve Taneyhill taunts Clemson fans after USC beat Clemson 24-13 at Clemson in 1992. (Tim Dominick/The State/Tribune News Service)
“An exciting player, Taneyhill was known for his iconic mullet hair and his ‘home run swing’ after touchdown passes.”
Taneyhill led the Gamecocks to its first-ever bowl victory in program history in 1994, his junior season at South Carolina. They defeated West Virginia in the Carquest Bowl.
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And when Taneyhill threw touchdowns, he would perform his famous “home run swing,” as the statement read, in celebration.
A native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Taneyhill notched South Carolina records with 753 completions and 62 passing touchdowns over his four seasons. He also was second with 8,782 passing yards and seventh with a 60.5 completion rate.
Taneyhill’s senior season in 1995 saw him lead the SEC in completions (261), pass attempts (389) and completion percentage (67.1) on his way to 3,094 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Quarterback Steve Taneyhill of South Carolina University drops back to pass during a 42-23 loss to the University of Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia on Sept. 2 1995. (Jamie Squire/Allsport)
For his performance as a Gamecocks star, Taneyhill was later inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
To this day, Taneyhill is responsible for three of the to four highest-passing-yardage games in school history, including a 471-yard day against Mississippi State in 1995.
Taneyhill was never able to break into the NFL, though, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 1997. However, he was released during the preseason and never once played in the league.
He later became a high school football coach, leading his Chesterfield High to the South Carolina state title for three straight seasons in 2007-09.
Steve Taneyhill , Quarterback for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks throws a pass downfield during the NCAA Southeastern Conference college football game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 2,1995 at the Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, United States. (Jamie Squire/Allsport)
South Carolina’s statement said that he also purchased and operated businesses in Columbia and Spartanburg, South Carolina after his coaching days were over.
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