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.