CALGARY, Alta. – Following the cancellation of the 2019-20 hockey season and all national championships in March, Hockey Canada has worked tirelessly with its host organizing committees for 2020 and beyond.

While a tremendous amount of work has gone into planning the fall 2020 events, the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a position where there is no further option other than to cancel three events, instead planning for their return in 2021 to the following communities:

• 2020 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Nov. 2-8 in Dawson Creek, B.C.
• 2020 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup, Dec. 6-12 in Bridgewater, N.S.
• 2020 World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 13-20 in Cornwall, Ont.

The following statement is on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer:

“At various rates, provinces from coast-to-coast-to-coast have started moving ahead with their phased re-opening, but as it has been since the season was cancelled, Hockey Canada’s priority remains the health and safety of all participants and the general public. We believe the decision to cancel these three events is the safest decision given the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic at the local level, as well as the international implications associated with these events.

Hockey Canada is grateful for the continued support of our local host committees and event partners, including BC Hockey, Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey Eastern Ontario, NHL Central Scouting, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). We appreciate the commitment and support of everyone involved and we look forward to showcasing some incredible hockey to fans next year.”

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the dates and host communities for six events taking place during the 2022-23 season, including the return of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup and World Junior A Challenge for the first time since 2019.

The communities of Langley and Delta, B.C., will host the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from Nov. 5-12, bringing some of the top young players in the world to Metro Vancouver.

The 2022 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup will run from Nov. 27-Dec. 3 in Bridgewater, N.S., marking the first time that the event has been held in the Maritimes since 2016.

A showcase of Canadian and international Junior A talent, the 2022 World Junior A Challenge will take place in Cornwall, Ont., from Dec. 11-18.

Two of Hockey Canada’s national championships will return to their typical April schedule in 2023, with the puck dropping at the Esso Cup in Prince Albert, Sask., on April 23 and the TELUS Cup beginning April 24 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que.

The Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be hosted in Portage la Prairie, Man., in May 2023, bringing Canada’s National Junior A Championship to Manitoba for a fourth time.

“We are excited to announce the host communities for six events taking place in 2022-23, and we cannot wait to bring some of the top hockey events in the world to fans across Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “Hosting events of this magnitude would not be possible without our incredible local partners, and we are very grateful for their support as we count down to puck drop.”

Tickets are available now for the 2022 World Junior A Challenge in Cornwall, Ont., at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets, while on-sale dates for the remaining events will be announced at a later date.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, become a Hockey Canada Insider, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has partnered with BDO to expand the local legacies of its national and international events through the launch of the BDO Goals for Kids program.

Every season, Hockey Canada brings three international events – the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, World Junior A Challenge, and World Sledge Hockey Challenge – as well as four national championships – the National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Esso Cup, TELUS Cup, and RBC Cup – to new communities across the country. The net proceeds from those events remains in the host communities as a legacy to allow them to invest in growing the game locally.

Working with its new international marketing partner, BDO, Hockey Canada is expanding that legacy through BDO Goals for Kids – a program that will see $50 for every goal scored at a national championship, and $100 for every goal scored by Team Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, World Junior A Challenge, and World Sledge Hockey Challenge – go back to the minor hockey association in that community to assist with offsetting equipment and registration costs for young players.

“Every season, at least seven communities welcome us and our athletes, and help us deliver success on and off the ice through our events. As part of our thank-you to those volunteers, we leave a financial legacy in the host communities to provide them with further resources to grow Canada’s game locally,” said Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer for Hockey Canada. “BDO has shared in our passion for the game as an event partner with our IIHF events hosted on Canadian ice since 2012. We are excited to have them join us as an international marketing partner, and thankful for their support of the future of Canadian hockey through BDO Goals for Kids.”

Jim Krahn, the Calgary office managing partner for BDO, joined Hockey Canada and young minor hockey players as well as media personalities in Calgary on Wednesday to officially launch BDO Goals for Kids, and make the program’s first donation. A kick-off ball hockey game was hosted at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre, the home of Hockey Canada in Calgary; the young players and participating members of the media put their best moves on display, helping deliver a BDO Goals for Kids donation of $1,000 to minor hockey in the city.

“As fans of the game, we couldn’t be more delighted to partner with Hockey Canada,” said Pat Kramer, CEO of BDO Canada. “Hockey is such an important part of Canadian culture, integral to communities from coast to coast. The inclusion of the BDO Goals for Kids program allows us to give back to these communities and help ensure more kids get the chance to play and develop their skills.”

The first two events where on-ice goals will count towards BDO Goals for Kids come in November when Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C., co-host the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and Quebec City welcomes the National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

About Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 member associations of over 700,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada; provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast to coast; manages numerous regional, national, and international hockey championships and events; and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international ice hockey competition. Hockey Canada’s mission is to “lead, develop, and promote positive hockey experiences.” For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

About BDO
BDO is a leading provider of professional services to clients of all sizes in virtually all business sectors. Our team delivers a comprehensive range of assurance, accounting, tax, and advisory services, complemented by a deep industry knowledge gained from nearly 100 years working within local communities. As part of the international BDO network, we’re able to provide seamless and consistent cross-border services to clients with global needs.

CORNWALL, Ont. – Canada East has finished with the silver medal at the 2022 World Junior A Challenge, falling 5-2 to the United States in the gold medal game on Sunday night at the Cornwall Civic Complex. 

The United States took a 2-0 lead into the second frame when Matheson Mason (Newmarket, Ont./Wellington, OJHL) and Matthew Cato (Whitby, Ont./Trenton, OJHL) scored to bring Canada East even. The U.S. stormed back with two goals in 47 seconds late in the middle frame and added an empty-net goal to earn its ninth World Junior A Challenge gold medal.

Garrett Schifsky led the way for the United States with two goals – finishing tied for the tournament lead with five - while Sam Rinzel and Quinn Finley had two assists each. Alex Blais (St. Colomban, Que./Saint-Jérôme, LHJAAAQ) assisted on both Canada East goals.

“We were in over our head a little bit; we knew we had to muddy the water, keep pucks to the outside and defend well. When we climbed back into the game and then had a bad line change, they got the momentum back,” said Canada East head coach Billy McGuigan (Summerside, P.E.I./Summerside, MHL). “The experience overall, the friendships and the opportunity to represent your country are the things our guys should take away from this tournament.”

“I cannot express how happy everyone was to play in the gold medal game. We worked hard as a group over the last two weeks to get here. Losing really sucked,” said Canada East captain Trent Crane (Morden, Man./Summerside, MHL). “Wearing the Canadian jersey meant everything to me, I will never forget it and always cherish these two weeks. I will think about this the rest of my life.”

Canada West finishes fourth

In the bronze medal game earlier on Sunday, Canada West fell 3-2 in a shootout to Sweden.

Caelan Fitzpatrick (Moose Jaw, Sask./Brooks, AJHL) opened the scoring just 17 seconds into the game off a pass from Sam Huck (Calgary, Alta./Okotoks, AJHL). Lukas Sagranden and Felix Unger Sörum responded with power-play goals, giving Sweden a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

Aiden Fink (Calgary, Alta./Brooks, AJHL) scored the game-tying goal on the power play with 15:28 left in regulation - tying the tournament scoring record with 12 points. Noah Erliden made 29 saves and was perfect on five West attempts in the shootout, while Unger Sörum scored the lone shootout goal, giving Sweden its first bronze medal at the tournament.

“You want to be playing for gold, but every one of our guys left it all out there today. It was great to see how our guys played and battled,” said Canada West assistant coach Clayton Jardine (Lacombe, Alta./Camrose, AJHL). “Cornwall did a great job of hosting the tournament. It is always an honor for a player or coach to represent the Maple Leaf.”

“[Head coach Justin] Falk and this coaching staff were unbelievable to us. It was an honour to put this jersey on just for warmups. My linemates [Watkins and Malinoski] were awesome, we moved the puck well and buried on our chances,” said Fink. “Coming into this tournament, we were all rivals in the AJHL, but these guys are like brothers to me now.”

Following the gold medal game, the tournament all-star team was announced:

F: Aiden Fink (Canada West)
F: Cole Knuble (United States)
F: Liam Watkins (Canada West)
D: Eric Pohlkamp (United States)
D: Tom Willander (Sweden)
G: Noah Erliden (Sweden)

Knuble was named the tournament’s most valuable player after recording three goals and nine points in six games.

For more information on the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter. 

Canada East 4, Canada West 1

• Matthew Cato (Whitby, Ont./Trenton, OJHL) led the way with two goals for Canada East.
• Ryan Johnstone (Pickering, Ont./Pickering, OJHL) and Massimo Gentile (Pointe-Claire, Que./Ottawa, CCHL) also scored.
• Liam Watkins (Okotoks, Alta./Spruce Grove, AJHL) scored for Canada West, his tournament-leading fifth goal.
• Ethan Morrow (Kingston, Ont./Wellington, OJHL) made 37 saves for the win.

United States 4, Sweden 3

• Erick Pohlkamp scored two power-play goals for the United States to tie Watkins with five goals in the tournament.
• Cole Knuble scored the game-winning goal with 11:10 remaining.
• Edvin Nilsson, Tom Willander and Anton Wahlberg scored for Sweden.
• Jacob Fowler made 16 saves for the win.

Next games – Sunday, December 18:
• Bronze medal game: Sweden vs. Canada West – 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT
• Gold medal game: Canada East vs. United States – 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT

Quotes:
“We played a very sound, structured game. We were tenacious on the forecheck and good in our defensive zone. It was an outstanding game played and we got some great goaltending; that is how you win hockey games. If we can continue to play the way that we did today, we have a shot [in the gold medal game]. You have got to get to the gold medal game, and when you get to it anything can happen. We are looking forward to tomorrow.”

• Canada East head coach Billy McGuigan (Summerside, P.E.I./Summerside, MHL) on playing for gold.

“It was a great game; 38 shots sounds like a hard night, but my team was moving bodies out front, blocking shots and we had a good all-around game. It was not the outcome we wanted the last three games, but good teams find a way to win when it matters, that is what counts. I have never had the opportunity [to play for a gold medal] so it is going to be a lot of fun.”

• Morrow on finding success with his teammates in big games.

“Not the result we wanted. We got behind the eight ball early and chased the game trying to get some offence going. We ran into a hot goalie [in Morrow] today who stood on his head. [Erick] Roest played well on our end to keep things tight early. The experience we have had being together for the last two weeks, the relationships that have been made and the pride that we have playing for each other means there is a lot to play for tomorrow.”

• Canada West head coach Justin Falk (Snowflake, Man./Winkler, MJHL) on getting behind early.

“We battled hard at the end. Unfortunate [result], but I thought our boys put a lot of heart and effort today. We need to regroup tomorrow, come back and have that winning mentality when fighting for a bronze medal.”

• Canada West captain Watkins on playing for a bronze medal.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada will broadcast the bronze medal and gold medal games from the Cornwall Civic Complex; please check local listings for details.

For more information on the 2022 World Junior A Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

United States 9, Latvia 0
   
• U.S. captain Cole Knuble scored a goal and tied the tournament record with four assists.
• Eric Pohlkamp had a hat trick.
• Mac Swanson added a goal and three assists.
• Christian Manz made 12 saves for the shutout.

Sweden 4, Canada East 1

• Felix Nilsson had two assists for Sweden.
• Landon Brownlee (Finch, Ont./Hawkesbury, CCHL) scored for Canada East.
• Hugo Pettersson and Tom Willander each scored on the power play for Sweden.
• Teodor Manther made 29 saves for the win.

Next games (semifinals) – Saturday, December 17:
Canada East vs. Canada West – 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT
Sweden vs. United States – 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Quotes:
“We came in as a group of 22 that had not played together, we wanted to build a foundation. We have done a lot of good things, come together as a team and grown. We have two days left to put a Canada jersey on; this is a chance our guys may not get again and we will take advantage of that. The mood was a little down tonight, but we had a good chat and our leaders stood up. We are excited for tomorrow; the journey is just beginning.”
• Canada East assistant coach Derek Smith (Belleville, Ont./Wellington, OJHL) on the opportunity ahead.

“We are happy to go to the semifinals [and have] the chance to play for a medal, but it was not the outcome we wanted [tonight]. We obviously wanted a win, but we get to play tomorrow which is the main thing. It is nice to see my family and friends up in the stands, everyone wants to score in front of their family playing for Team Canada. It is a pretty cool experience.”
• Brownlee on the opportunity to play in front of family.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada will broadcast the bronze medal and gold medal games from the Cornwall Civic Complex; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and semifinals are livestreamed for purchase at HockeyCanada.ca.

For more information on the 2022 World Junior A Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

Sweden 5, Canada West 3

• Zeb Forsfjäll scored on the power play and added a shorthanded goal for Sweden.
• Aiden Fink (Calgary, Alta./Brooks, AJHL) had a goal and an assist for Canada West.
• Otto Stenberg had a goal and an assist for Sweden.
• Conyr Hellyr (Okotoks, Alta./Okotoks, AJHL) and Matteo Giampa (Virgil, Ont./Bonnyville, AJHL) also scored for Canada West.
• Noah Erliden made 37 saves for the win.

Next games – Friday, December 16:
• United States vs. Latvia – 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT
• Sweden vs. Canada East – 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Quotes:
“This was some more learning experience for us. We played a desperate, hungry team in Sweden tonight. We have to raise our desperation level going into the weekend. We were too complacent in some areas, not hard enough in a few battles. When you play good teams that are desperate and hungry, that trumps everything, as it should.”
• Canada West head coach Justin Falk (Snowflake, Man./Winkler, MJHL) on his takeaways from the loss.

“Coach [Falk] has said that our identity is playing hard; hard forechecking, moving our feet, getting on them early, finishing our checks when we can and making simple plays in the neutral zone. I have been trying to make sure I am doing that in my game. I feel like I have been having more consistent games and getting better throughout the tournament. I am so happy to be here, it is so cool to play for your country with all of the other guys here.”
• Sam Huck (Calgary, Alta./Okotoks, AJHL) on learning from the West coaching staff.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada will broadcast the bronze medal and gold medal games from the Cornwall Civic Complex; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and semifinals are livestreamed for purchase at HockeyCanada.ca.

For more information on the 2022 World Junior A Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

Canada West 10, Latvia 0

• Ty Daneault (Red Deer, Alta./Drumheller, AJHL) tied a tournament record with four goals, including two in 14 seconds, and added an assist for Canada West.
• Aiden Fink (Calgary, Alta./Brooks, AJHL) had two goals and an assist.
• Defenceman Sam Court (Winnipeg, Man./Brooks, AJHL) had a goal and two assists.
• Andrew Ness (Winnipeg, Man./Fort McMurray, AJHL) made six saves for the shutout.

United States 7, Canada East 2

• Quinn Finley had two goals and an assist for the United States.
• Trent Crane (Morden, Man./Summerside, MHL) provided two assists for Canada East.
• Sam Rinzel had a goal and an assist for the U.S.
• Adam Barone (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Cobourg, OJHL) and Matthew Cato (Whitby, Ont./Trenton, OJHL) scored for Canada East.
• Jacob Fowler made 23 saves for the win.

Next game – Thursday, December 15:
• Canada West vs. Sweden – 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Quotes:
“We have talked about our identity being something to establish early in the tournament, making sure that we are playing our western Canadian way, being hard to play against, making it difficult for opponents to come through us. We will prepare for the next 24 hours, move onto Sweden and make sure we take our Game 7 mentality into each day.”
• Canada West assistant coach Evan McFeeters (Canmore, Alta./Sherwood Park, AJHL) on his team's mentality.

“We do not have a lot of time to come close [as a team], so it has to happen quick. We have been spending a lot of time together and are getting close, which has been nice. We had lots of great plays, lots of our guys getting on the scoresheet, it was a solid game all around. We are going up against a good team tomorrow night [in Sweden] and it has to be a good game from us.”
• Daneault on finding success as a team.

“We are going to take this game and forget it, get refocused again. At the end of the day, we did not play our game today. We had a slow start, it was a penalty-filled game, there was no flow to the game. There is a lot of pressure on us; they come with a lot of heat so we have to learn to play under pressure, make little plays and learn to make the plays a little quicker.”
• Canada East head coach Billy McGuigan (Summerside, P.E.I./Summerside, MHL) on the changes needed from his team.

“Obviously it was a tough loss, but we will move on and try to get better. We need to have a good practice tomorrow and then try to have a better game against Sweden and come out with a win. I can not express how grateful I am to be here, to represent the team [as captain] is a really good feeling. As a team though, we are all leaders.”
• Canada East captain Crane on needing to bounce back as a team.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada will broadcast the bronze medal and gold medal games from the Cornwall Civic Complex; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and semifinals are livestreamed for purchase at HockeyCanada.ca.

For more information on the 2022 World Junior A Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

United States 3, Sweden 0

• Garret Schifsky had two goals for the U.S.
• Ethan Whitcomb opened the scoring for the Americans 3:44 into the second period.
• Jake Richard and Quinn Finley each provided an assist.
• Jacob Fowler made 15 saves for the shutout.

Next games – Wednesday, December 14:
• Canada West vs. Latvia – 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT
• Canada East vs. United States – 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada will broadcast the bronze medal and gold medal games from the Cornwall Civic Complex; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and semifinals are livestreamed for purchase at HockeyCanada.ca.

For more information on the 2022 World Junior A Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.