The 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (1996 WJHC) was the 20th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, hosted in Massachusetts. The tournament was won by Canada—defeating Sweden 4-1 in the gold-medal game—earning Canada their fourth straight gold medal and ninth overall, tying the Soviet team's record in both regards. Attendance was less than spectacular for the championships in the United States. It would be the last time the US would host the tournament until 2005 in Grand Forks.