Created in 2006 to showcase the talent in the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the World Junior A Challenge includes two Canadian teams – Canada East (NOJHL, OJHL, CCHL, LJHAAAQ, MHL) and Canada West (AJHL, SJHL, MJHL, SIJHL) – and three international entries. In all, nine countries have participated – Belarus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

The tournament has quickly become a highlight of the international hockey calendar for NHL scouts. The World Junior A Challenge has produced more than 300 NHL draft picks, including 51 selected in the first round – names like Boeser, Lindholm, Pastrnak, Schwartz, Tarasenko, Turris and Vasilevski.