CALGARY, AB - The Canadian Hockey Association received formal bid submissions from seven potential sites to host the 2003 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, the Canadian Hockey Association announced on Friday.

The seven bid groups looking to host the 2003 World Juniors are from Halifax, NS, Hamilton/Kitchener, ON, London, ON, Mississauga, ON, Ottawa, ON, Saskatoon, SK, Winnipeg, MB. Montreal and Québec City withdrew its bids while Calgary, AB did not submit a bid.

Bid applicants needed to submit written presentations to the Canadian Hockey Association no later than to be considered for the 2003 World Juniors. Based on the information contained in the written presentation, no more than five (5) bid applications will be short-listed and invited to make an in-person presentation. The 2003 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship Site Selection Committee will make a final decision by .

The site will be subject to final approval by the International Ice Hockey Federation at it's meeting next May, during the Men's World Hockey Championship in Hanover, Germany. However, the IIHF council has informed the CHA that it will give it's support to the Canadian site, should the bid be of the quality of past Canadian bids.

The 2003 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship would take place late December 2002 to January 2003.

Canada has hosted the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship five times: 1999 (Winnipeg, MB), 1995 (Red Deer, AB), 1991 (Saskatoon, SK), 1986 (Hamilton, ON), 1978 (Montreal, QC).