Wray Morrison: Learning as we go

The world junior hockey championship gives fans great hockey to watch over the holidays. The event also gives scouts an opportunity to see the best junior-age players from all over the world play in one place.

This holiday hockey staple also provides young men some valuable teachable moments in a highly visible setting. Last month, Team Canada captain Barrett Hayton drew the ire of the Russian hockey team by not removing his helmet during the Russian anthem.

The Russians were right to be angry. Hayton, who is 19 years old, needed to apologize and he did.

When I saw that, I was reminded of the scene two years ago when Sweden’s Lias Andersson threw his silver medal into the stands after a loss in the gold-medal game. Andersson was 19 at the time of that incident.

This event not only gives the game’s best a chance to play for their countries, but learn some life lessons along the way.