TORONTO, Ont./MONTREAL, Que. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship host committee, announced Tuesday that volunteers are now being recruited for the event, taking place Dec. 26, 2014 to Jan. 5, 2015 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto and Bell Centre in Montreal.

The 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship will require 1,500 dedicated volunteers – 750 in each city – in areas such as hospitality, logistics, media, special events, sponsorship, team services, ticket sales and venue operations.

Those interested in volunteering at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship must:

• represent the best interests of Hockey Canada;
• be a minimum of 16 years of age on Sept. 1, 2014;
• make a total commitment of 24 hours;
• attend training sessions in advance of the event; and
• complete established screening requirements.

In return, volunteers will receive event apparel to wear on site and have the chance to be both an integral part of this world-class event’s success, and ambassadors for Canadian hockey.

People interested in becoming a volunteer can submit their application by visiting www.hockeycanada.ca/2015volunteers. For more information on volunteering, please contact [email protected].

The volunteer program at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship is proudly presented by RBC, a premier sponsor of Hockey Canada.

“We have been highly anticipating the launch of our volunteer program,” said Pat McEleney, executive director of the 2015 and 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships. “The success of the event hinges on the support and commitment from our volunteers from communities across southern Ontario and Quebec. We have experienced tremendous interest in our volunteer program thus far, and are confident that our skilled and enthusiastic volunteers will help deliver a first-class event in two of Canada’s most dynamic cities.”

“We are passionate about getting involved in communities where we live and work, and believe in the power of volunteerism,” said Jane Broderick, chief brand and communications officer, RBC. “We’re honoured to participate in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships by offering our support to the volunteer program specifically. As anyone who’s organized a sporting event of any size knows - from a local tournament to a high-profile international event such as this – it’s the volunteers that can truly help make an event a success.”

“Hockey is Canada’s game, and the game was built and thrives because of the contribution of thousands of volunteers who donate countless hours,” said Bill Bowman, president of the Ontario Hockey Federation. “The OHF encourages its communities and loyal hockey supporters to get involved this holiday season, grasp the opportunity to be a volunteer on the world stage and share in the experience of Canadian pride that makes this event like no other.”

“The volunteer recruitment process is underway for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, and we invite all hockey stakeholders in Quebec to join in the hosting of this prestigious event,” said Sylvain B. Lalonde, executive director of Hockey Quebec.

For more information on the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/2015juniors, or follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/worldjuniors and www.twitter.com/hc_wjc.