TRURO, N.S.
– Fans can start locking in their attendance at the 2017 World Junior A
Challenge beginning this Thursday, April 13, when ticket packages for the
international Junior A hockey showcase go on sale.
Hockey Canada
announced
last January that, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League
(CJHL), the Maritime Hockey League (MHL), Hockey Nova Scotia, and the local
host committee, it would bring the World Junior A Challenge back to
Atlantic Canada – and specifically, to Truro’s Rath Eastlink Community
Centre (RECC) – Dec. 10-16, 2017.
“The excitement in bringing people from around the world to Truro and
Colchester County through the World Junior A Challenge continues to build,
and we’re excited to announce the sale of the tournament packages,” said
Dave Ritcey, chair of the local host committee. “For generations, this
region has supported countless events and initiatives. The sense of
community this area is known for will help make this a memorable experience
for everyone.”
Full-tournament packages – which give fans the best value at $175
(including fees and applicable taxes) and are the only way to secure
reserved seating (all other ticket options will be general admission) –
include all 13 tournament games and go on sale at 10 a.m. AT Thursday,
online at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets,
in-person at the RECC, or by calling 1.888.311.9090.
For hockey fans purchasing a tournament package in-person on Thursday,
event organizers are helping the community get in the spirit and celebrate
the upcoming World Junior A Challenge by offering ticket-purchasers a free
skate at the RECC from 12 to 2 p.m.
“We’re a little over eight months from the start of the tournament, but we
know fans are already anticipating the elite-level competition that is the
World Junior A Challenge,” said Brent Ladds, president of the Canadian
Junior Hockey League. “The CJHL is excited to be returning to Nova Scotia
with the World Junior A Challenge. The event continues to grow in venues
throughout Canada, and Nova Scotia and the MHL have been a big contributor
to the profile of the event.”
As a way to ensure everyone can enjoy some of the best hockey in the world,
fans who purchase a tournament pass but can’t attend all games have the
option of donating those tickets back to the organizing committee this fall
when they receive their hard-copy tickets. The committee will ensure
donated tickets are given to those who might not otherwise be able to
attend a game.
New Jed Ritcey Legacy Fund unveiled
The 2017 World Junior A Challenge will also serve as a catalyst for the
establishment of the Jed Ritcey Legacy Fund. The late Jed Ritcey was a past
Hockey Canada board member and Hockey Nova Scotia past-president and Life
Member. The legacy will be used to provide funding opportunities which will
support local minor hockey development and capital upgrades to rinks in
Colchester County.
“We are extremely pleased to see that the host group will use this CJHL
event to launch the establishment of the Jed Ritcey Legacy Fund,” said
Ladds. “Jed was a tremendous contributor to amateur hockey not only in Nova
Scotia, but nationally.”
The World Junior A Challenge features two Canadian teams, representing East
and West, as well as four international teams vying for a gold medal. Nine
of the 11 gold-medal games at the World Junior A Challenge have featured at
least one Canadian team. Team Canada West won gold at the first two
tournaments, in 2006 and 2007, and also took home gold in 2011 and 2015.
The team also won silver medals in 2008, 2009, and 2012, as well as bronze
in 2013. Team Canada East won silver medals in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 and
2016, as well as claiming the bronze medal in 2008.
For more information on the World Junior A Challenge, visit
HockeyCanada.ca
or follow along via social media at Facebook or Twitter.