[1] The tournament was held in Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, from December 26, 2002, to January 5, 2003.

Russia won the gold medal for the second consecutive year with a 3–2 victory over Canada in the championship game, while Finland won the bronze medal with a 3–2 victory over the United States.

Playoff round (again) reverted to six teams qualifying, with group leaders getting a bye into the semifinals.

[4] The Division II championships were played on January 6–12, 2003, in Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania (Group A),[5] and on December 28, 2002 – January 3, 2003 in Novi Sad, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Group B).

[6] The Division III championship was played on January 21–26, 2003 in İzmit, Turkey.