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December 4, 2008
NR.160
REGINA, SK – The Host Organizing Committee (HOC) of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in
Saskatchewan today announced that Rob Jones and Al Ford have been hired as general manager and assistant
general manager, respectively.
Jones, a resident of Saskatoon, is a long time co-owner of a retail store in Saskatoon. He previously
served as executive director of TCU Place in Saskatoon from 1993 to 2006, overseeing a staff of 300 and
leading the organization through significant change and a major expansion of the venue’s convention facility.
Prior to that, Jones was the marketing manager at Credit Union Center. Jones moved to Saskatchewan in 1979
and started Mark’s Work Wearhouse, growing the business to 11 stores across Saskatchewan and Canada.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I look forward to working closely with both the Regina and
Saskatoon host committees and all the volunteers to make this a fantastic IIHF World Junior Championship,”
Jones said. “Canada has always supported this international holiday favourite. Saskatchewan raised the bar in
1991 and I have no doubt our province will set the bar at an even higher level in 2010.”
Having worked as a volunteer for the event since August, Jones is familiar with the plans that have been
put in place for the event, both financial and operational. His duties as general manager include managing
all organizational aspects of the event, while working with a number of Hockey Canada representatives as well
as the host committees.
Ford, best known for his 28-year career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a player, coach and general
manager, will work out of the Regina office for the championship. He will assist Jones and John Lee,
president of the Regina HOC, in all aspects of the event.
“Like many Saskatchewan youngsters I was heavily involved in all sports growing up, but my first love was
hockey and the Saturday morning practices and games with Bantam and Midget Pats at the old Regina Exhibition
Stadium,” says Ford. “I look forward to seeing the future stars of this great game competing for the World
Junior gold medal here in Saskatchewan.”
With the Riders, Ford was directly involved in the planning, marketing, sales and delivery of several
special events such as Rider home games, two Toronto Blue Jays baseball games, a pre-game rock concert and a
World Wrestling Federation event. Ford was also instrumental in planning and executing the 1995 Grey Cup, the
first Grey Cup ever hosted in Saskatchewan.
“Hockey Canada is very excited to have Rob and Al involved in this event," said Scott Smith, Hockey
Canada’s chief operating officer. "We are confident they will do an amazing job at ensuring the success of
the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan, and we look forward to them joining the Hockey
Canada staff and working with the host committees."
"We are extremely pleased that Rob and Al have joined us,” said Jack Brodsky, president of the 2010 WJC
host organizing committee. “Both have extensive venue and promotional experience with major sporting and
cultural events. They are respected members of our local communities and share our vision of hosting the
best-ever World Juniors in 2010."
The event will be held in Regina and Saskatoon from December 26, 2009 to January 5, 2010.
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