The cities of Vancouver and Victoria have been awarded the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship on Thursday.
Hockey Canada’s Chief Operating Officer Scott Smith says they have reviewed multiple bids, but British Columbia’s bid came on top.
“It was the opportunity to bring this junior world championship to B.C. while they celebrated 100 years of hockey in the province.”
B.C. hosted the Women’s World Hockey Championships in Kamloops in April and the 2006 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships that were held in Vancouver, Kelowna and Kamloops.
B.C.’s bid was in partnership with BC Hockey, the Victoria Royals, the Vancouver Giants and the Vancouver Canucks.
“All of that gave us a level of confidence that there would be an excellent legacy from this event that would be re-invested back into all levels of the game across Canada and internationally.”
The announcement that was made at Rogers Arena in Vancouver meant a joint bid to bring the tournament to Winnipeg and Saskatoon has failed.
True North Sports + Entertainment, which owns the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose, MTS Centre and MTS Iceplex, partnered with Saskatoon Sports Tourism to try to land the 2019 World Juniors. The organization says the competition to host the tournament was extremely high.
“Our fans can be proud knowing the Winnipeg/Saskatoon bid met or exceeded every measurable aspect of Hockey Canada’s criteria, leaving us well-positioned for potential bids for World Hockey Championships in the future,” said Kevin Donnelly, senior vice-president of venues & entertainment for True North Sports + Entertainment in a statement.
READ MORE: Winnipeg, Saskatoon in the running to co-host 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship
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