CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Following the success of the World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Charlottetown in December 2016, the event is returning to the city for the second-straight year at MacLauchlan Arena from Dec. 3-9, 2017.

“Charlottetown is once again thrilled to be hosting some of the world’s top parasport athletes this fall during the 2017 World Sledge Hockey Challenge,” said Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee. “Such an event creates tremendous excitement and will make an impact on tourism, as well as many lasting legacies for the growth and development of the sport. The City of Charlottetown values its strong partnerships with Hockey Canada, Hockey PEI and ParaSport & Recreation PEI and we look forward to executing another successful international event in December.”

Prince Edward Island has a successful history of hosting this world-class international event. This year will mark the fourth time Charlottetown serves as host; it previously welcomed the sledge hockey world in 2008 and 2009.

“When approached this summer by Hockey Canada about the opportunity to extend the hosting bid to a second year, the committee was quick to bring the stakeholders together and make it work,” said tournament co-chair Tracy Stevenson.

“The combined events create a situation where you are generating over $1.5 million in economic impact within the community in a 13-month period during tourism’s shoulder season,” added co-chair Dean Lund.

“Hosting events such as the World Sledge Hockey Challenge shows people with disabilities what is possible and leaves a lasting legacy to the host community to further develop the sport of sledge hockey,” said P.E.I. Ice Breakers manager, Eric Payne. “The legacy from 2016 is exposing children to the sport by having specialized sledge hockey equipment available. Children will now have the opportunity to play hockey and see their world from a new perspective that anything is possible.”

The full event schedule along with ticket information and participating teams will be announced at a later date. In the first 10 editions of the tournament, Canada has won five gold medals, four silver and a bronze.

As Canada’s National Sledge Team begins its road to the 2018 Paralympic Games next March, 20 players selected at the end of the September Showcase and selection camp will represent Canada at the 2017 World Sledge Hockey Challenge, as well as in a Canada-U.S. series in February.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Sledge Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Sledge.