SAINT JOHN & QUISPAMSIS, N.B.
– The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge – an international showcase of some
of the best young hockey talent in the world – returns to New Brunswick in
the fall of 2018. Saint John and Quispamsis will co-host the tournament
scheduled to run Nov. 3-10, 2018.
“The hockey community of southwestern New Brunswick is thrilled that Hockey
Canada has chosen us to host this major international event,” said Aaron
Kennedy, chair of the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge host organizing
committee. “Our volunteers are excited and we promise to work hard over the
next year to ensure we run a fantastic tournament.”
Quispamsis hosted the 2016 TELUS Cup, Canada's National Midget Championship, which boasted a $175,000 legacy that
remained in the community to support grassroots hockey development.
“The 2016 TELUS Cup put Quispamsis on the map,” said Mayor Gary Clark. “It
was an outstanding tournament that our residents still talk about today. We
are pleased to be working closely with the City of Saint John in a spirit
of regional cooperation as we co-host the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
next year. I can’t wait until the puck drops.”
The 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge represents a partnership between
Hockey Canada, Hockey New Brunswick, and the Canadian Hockey League, as
well as the City of Saint John, the Town of Quispamsis, and the Saint John
Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.
Moncton hosted the event in 1995 before it transitioned to its present-day
format featuring three Canadian teams (Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red,
and Team Canada White) and five international teams.
“Hockey New Brunswick is honoured to be the host member of the 2018 World
Under-17 Hockey Challenge. We look forward to having a high caliber of
international hockey and competitive games,” said Nic Jansen, executive
director of Hockey New Brunswick. “Congratulations to the host committee
for winning the bid. A huge thank-you goes out to them already for the
initial prep work and anticipated planning that goes along with a
tournament of this magnitude. We look forward to having the top 16-year-old
players from around the world here and know that Saint John and Quispamsis
will host a top-notch event.”
Recent editions of the event have resulted in a local economic boost to the
host-regions of as much as $6 million.
“We are thrilled to have Hockey Canada in our city once again,” said Saint
John mayor Don Darling. “We are excited to be hosting the World Under-17
Hockey Challenge. I want to thank Discover Saint John and the local
organizing committee for their work in making this event a reality. We look
forward to seeing the world’s best 16-year-old hockey players in action.”
The 2018 tickets and schedule will be announced at a later date.
Fans looking for a preview of the event can take in the 2017 World Under-17
Hockey Challenge, which kicks off with pre-tournament games on Nov.
2, 2017, in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C. All games except for the
gold-medal game and one semifinal will be available via live stream at
HockeyCanada.ca; TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s broadcast partners, will
carry one semifinal and the gold-medal game of the 2017 World Under-17
Hockey Challenge.
For more information on the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit
HockeyCanada.ca
, or follow along via social media on Facebook or Twitter.