Team Canada forward Brayden Schenn, right, is excited about the world junior hockey championships being held in his home province of Saskatchewan. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Everywhere you go in Saskatoon, there are signs that a holiday classic is back.

It's not the usual winter sights grabbing people's attention, such as the annual light show at the city's zoo, or the dozens of families skating on the ice behind the historic Bessborough Hotel.

Instead, the season has become marked with the colours of Canada's junior hockey team — red, white and now green — plastered all over the city.

The world junior hockey championship is back in Saskatoon and Regina for the first time since 1991, and fans are embracing every moment of it.

"Ever since the 'Riders lost in the Grey Cup, it's been all about Team Canada," said Mike Stefanuk, manager of Jersey City in Saskatoon.

As a special promotion this year, Hockey Canada unveiled new jerseys in 'Rider' green, paying tribute to the province 's favourite football team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The limited-edition sweaters sold out in a matter of days, Stefanuk said.

Tournament organizers are hoping the buzz in the province will result in sold-out arenas at Regina's Brandt Centre (capacity 7,500), and Saskatoon's Credit Union Centre (capacity 14,659). Both venues were recently expanded with more permanent seating, with all of Team Canada's games being played in the larger Saskatoon rink.

No sellouts yet

There has yet to be a sellout in either arena on the opening weekend of the tournament, but the marquee games don't begin until later in the week.

Canada's 16-0 thrashing of Latvia on Saturday drew 12,469, the largest crowd for a junior hockey game in Saskatchewan's history, and it would have been a full house prior to the recent expansion, organizers pointed out.

"We still have a few tickets to move, but we're quite satisfied," said Jack Brodsky, president of the tournament host committee.

Although fans in Regina don't get to see Team Canada (aside from exhibition play), Pool B features stronger preliminary matchups, with Sweden, Russia and Finland all having a shot at a medal.

Sweden has settled for silver for the past two years, losing to Canada, and hasn't won the tournament since 1981. But the Swedes boast the top goalie from last year's tournament, Jacob Markstrom, a Florida Panthers prospect.

Sweden demolished an injury-depleted Czech Republic 10-1 in their opening game Saturday.

For the top teams — Canada, Sweden, Russia and United States — the first few games against weaker opponents are expected to be lopsided contests. The challenge will be to maintain a level of intensity and avoid bad habits.

"We've said, 'Whenever we go on the ice, we go hard,'" Team Canada coach Willie Desjardins said. "The biggest thing is it's going to get a lot tougher, and we know that."

Canada's biggest test of the round-robin — against the U.S. on New Years' Eve — is already sold out and will likely be the biggest crowd ever to watch a hockey game in Saskatchewan.

Home advantage

"There's nothing better than being on home soil," said Brayden Schenn, Team Canada forward and Saskatoon native.

"It's always nice to play in front of friends and family, and I'm not used to being cheered at this rink," said Schenn, who usually plays for the rival Brandon Wheat Kings.

There are two other Saskatchewan-born players on Team Canada: Jordan Eberle of Regina and Jared Cowan of Allan. Coach Willie Desjardins is from Climax.

Since he grew up in Saskatoon, Schenn has been acting as a tour guide for his Team Canada teammates, showing them the good stores in the mall and recommending places to eat.

While the atmosphere in the city and the province has been full of world junior excitement, from the flags in the airport, to the welcome signs at every restaurant and hotel — the energy in the Credit Union Centre for Canada's first game was somewhat lacking.

But perhaps that's a result of Canada's repeated success at this tournament. For many fans here, it's one thing to dress the part, but it's tough to really get loud and boisterous, until there's some doubt about the outcome.