The Columbus Blue Jackets had five players participate at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship from May 2-18, 2008. Blue Jackets' captain Rick Nash, goaltender Pascal Leclaire and left wing Jason Chimera captured the Silver Medal at the Worlds playing for Team Canada. Columbus head coach Ken Hitchcock was honored to be behind the bench for the host nation.

Two other Blue Jackets played in the tournament, forward Jiri Novotny and defenseman Jan Hejda suited up for Team Czech Republic.

Preliminary Round
Group A               Group B                Group C              Group D
Sweden               Canada                Finland                Russia
Switzerland         United States      Slovakia              Czech Republic
Belarus                Slovenia               Germany            Denmark
France                  Latvia                    Norway               Italy

Qualifying Round                              Relegation Round
Group E                Group F                 Group G
Sweden                Canada                Slovakia
Switzerland          United States      Slovenia
Belarus                 Norway                 France
Russia                  Finland                 Italy
Denmark              Germany            
Czech Republic  Latvia

Playoff Round
Group E                    Group F               
1)Russia                  1)Canada               
2)Czech Republic  2)Finland   
3)Sweden                3)United States      
4)Switzerland          4)Norway

Semifinals  
Russia vs. Finland
Canada vs. Sweden

Finals  
Canada vs. Russia

Gold: Russia
Silver: Canada
Bronze: Finland

Storylines
Canadians Enjoying Being First Time Host
Despite loss, Slovene Goalie puts on a Show
Germans Spring Upset at Worlds
Moral Victory for Denmark against Russia
Improved Norway Looks to Brighter Future
Red-Hot Heatley
Switzerland Stuns Sweden at Worlds
Sweden Beats Denmark 8-1
Surprised and Disappointments at the Worlds
Canada, USA Avoid Upset Blues
Switzerland Pounds Denmark
Family an Important Part of Team Canada
Russia Defeats Switzerland to set up Rematch
Staal Leaves Team Canada after Death of Grandfather
Canada Tops Group F, Russia Group E
Russians Advance to the Semifinals
Canada, Sweden Ready for Semifinal

Finland Takes Bronze Over Sweden

Russia Claims Gold Medal

First Round Schedules

TEAM CANADA
May 2 vs. Slovenia 5-1 W - Heatley Makes History in Team Canada's Win
May 4 vs. Latvia 7-0 W - Nash tallies twice, Leclaire stops 30 in win
May 6 vs. USA 5-4 W - Nash Assists on Heatley's Game-Winner
Qualifying Round
May 8 vs. Norway 2-1 W - Nash Scores Late Winner for Canada
May 10 vs. Germany 10-1 W - Staal Comes Alive for Canada
May 12 vs. Finland 6-3 W - Heatley and Doan Scores Two Goal Apiece - Highlights
Playoff Round
Quarterfinals: May 14 vs. Norway 8-2 W - Canada Moves into Semi's with Win - Highlights
Semifinals: May 16 vs. Sweden 5-4 W - Canada Moves into Final with Win Over Sweden
Gold Medal : vs. Russia 5-4 L-OT - Russia Beats Canada in Overtime

Rick Nash 9 games, 6-7-13, +9, 6 PIMs, 3 PPG, 36 SHOG
Jason Chimera 9 games 0-2-2, +3, 6 PIMs, 11 SHOG
Pascal Leclaire 4 games, 4-0-0, 99 Saves, 2.50 GAA, 92.5 SV%, 1 SO

TEAM CZECH
May 2 vs. Denmark 5-2 W - Hejda scores in Czech win
May 4 vs. Russia 5-4 L-OT - Team Czech come up short in overtime
May 6 vs. Italy 7-2 W - Team Czech rolls over Italy, into elimination round
Qualifying Round
May 8 vs. Switzerland 5-0 W - Czech Scorers Solve Switerland
May 10 vs. Belarus 3-2 W-SO - Czech Edges Belarus in Shootout
May 11 vs. Sweden 5-3 L - Sweden Beats Czech Republic
Playoff Round
Quarterfinals: May 14 vs. Sweden 3-2 L-OT - Czech's Sent Home in Overtime

Jan Hejda 7 games, 1g-0a-1p, E, 0 PIMs, 4 SHOG
Jiri Novotny 7 games, 1g-1a-2p, +1, 2 PIMs, 10 SHOG

TEAM USA
May 2 vs. Latvia 4-0 W - Kane Leads the Way for Team USA
May 4 vs. Slovenia 5-1 W - Kessel's hat trick the difference
May 6 vs. Canada 5-4 L - Team USA Comes Up Short vs. Canada
Qualifying Round
May 8 vs. Germany 6-4 W - Parise Go-Ahead-Goal Gives USA Win
May 11 vs. Finland 3-2 L - Finland Rallies in Hard Fought Game
May 12 vs. Norway 9-1 W - US Wraps up Qualifying Round with Rout
Playoff Round
Quarterfinals: May 14 vs. Finland 3-2 L-OT - USA Can't Get Passed Finland