CALGARY/ EDMONTON, Alta. - With the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship coming to a close in Buffalo, N.Y., Hockey Canada and the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship host committee have announced the groups and their host cities for the preliminary round. All playoff, relegation and medal games will take place in Calgary.

The final game schedule will be set over the coming months and announced once it has been approved by the IIHF and the participating countries.

The 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship will run from to in Alberta.

GROUP A
Calgary, Alta.

1 - Russia
4 - Sweden
5 - Switzerland
8 - Slovakia
9 - Latvia

GROUP B
Edmonton, Alta.

2 - Canada
3 - United States
6 - Finland
7 - Czech Republic
10 - Denmark

The 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship will mark the tenth time that Canada has hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship. Past Canadian host cities were Regina/Saskatoon, Sask. (2010), Ottawa, Ont. (2009), Vancouver/Kamloops/Kelowna, B.C. (2006), Halifax/Sydney, N.S. (2003), Winnipeg, Man. (1999), Red Deer, Alta. (1995), Saskatoon, Sask. (1991), Hamilton, Ont. (1986) and Montreal, Que. (1978).