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April 18, 2010
NR.047
CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), British
Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and BC Hockey, announced on Monday that Penticton, B.C. will host the 2010
World Junior A Challenge from November 8-14, 2010, the second time in the five-year history of the tournament
that it will be held in British Columbia.
The 2010 World Junior A Challenge will follow the same format as previous years – two Canadian entries
will be joined by four international teams, with two groups of three teams. The group winners will receive an
automatic bye to the semifinals, while the second and third place teams will crossover for the
quarter-finals. All 13 games of the 2010 World Junior A Challenge will take place at the South Okanagan
Events Centre, home of the BCHL’s Penticton Vees.
A full schedule for the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, as well as the teams that will compete, will be
announced in the near future.
“As a Penticton native, I am fully aware of the pride and passion local hockey fans possess,” said Bob
Nicholson, Hockey Canada president and CEO. “I cannot think of a better host for this growing event, and look
forward to watching the city embrace the future of our great game.”
“Penticton has a rich hockey history and it will be wonderful for our community and region to see high
calibre hockey and some up-and-coming NHL stars right in our backyard,” said Penticton mayor Dan Ashton.
“Sport tourism is one of council’s strategies to maximize use in our facilities and generate economic
activity and excitement in our community.”
“From an economic standpoint the tournament will generate close to one million dollars into our local
economy at a time of the season that is slower,” says Penticton city councilor Andrew Jakubeit, who also
chairs the tournament’s host committee. “We are excited for Penticton to be showcased on an international
stage for its amenities, beauty, love of hockey and community support.”
"BC Hockey congratulates the host committee from Penticton for their outstanding bid to host the 2010
World Junior A Challenge," said Rick Boekestyn, president of BC Hockey. "We are excited to see this event
return to B.C. for the first time since 2007."
“On behalf of the British Columbia Hockey League and our 17 member teams, we are thrilled that the World
Junior A Challenge is returning to B.C.,” said John Grisdale, commissioner of the BCHL. “The BCHL's roots in
the City of Penticton go back nearly 50 years and the Vees have a proud history as one of the province's
premier junior hockey teams. I know that the great fans of the Okanagan will be out in force to support this
tremendous international event just as the fans did in Trail and Nelson in 2007.”
In addition to hosting the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, Penticton and the surrounding area will host the
Canada West and Canada East training camps, as well as pre-tournament games, from October 26-30. The South
Okanagan Events Centre will also welcome 40 Canada West hopefuls for an evaluation camp from September
26-29.
Two tickets packages are being offered immediately. The BCHL Fan Pack is available to BCHL season ticket
holders for $99 and includes reserved seating for all 13 tournament games, a free tournament program, a
specialized BCHL Fan Pack pass, a concession voucher and the opportunity to win autographed BCHL player
jerseys and the ultimate WJAC fan experience, which includes a second event package, VIP access at the 2010
World Junior A Challenge and an autographed Canada West jersey. A second ticket package, available to the
general public, costs $119 and includes reserved seating for all 13 tournament games, a free tournament
program and a specialized WJAC pass.
Ticket packages can be purchased by phone at 1-877-763-2849, online at www.valleyfirsttix.com or in person at the South Okanagan Events Centre
box office or Wine Country Visitor’s Centre.
Since the first World Junior A Challenge in 2006 in Yorkton, Sask., more than 65 NHL draft picks have
played in the tournament, including eight first-round selections (Kyle Turris, Nikita Filatov, Dmitri
Kulikov, Joe Colborne, Riley Nash, John Moore, Brendan Smith and Dylan Olsen).
Penticton joins Yorkton, Trail, B.C. (2007), Camrose, Alta. (2008) and Summerside, P.E.I. (2009) as host
cities for the World Junior A Challenge.
Every gold medal game at the World Junior A Challenge has featured at least one Canadian team. Canada West
won gold at the first two tournaments, in 2006 and 2007, before taking silver in 2008 and 2009. Canada East
was silver medalists in 2006 and 2007 and claimed bronze in 2008.
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