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Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), announced on Monday that Saskatoon and Regina will host the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship. The 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship will take place from late December 2009 to early January 2010 (exact dates to be determined) in Saskatchewan Ð at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon and the Brandt Centre in Regina. Impact to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League A projected $500,000 to be contributed from the event profit to support the player development initiatives and athlete educational support through the Saskatchewan Development Model, a unique community event program called ÒWorld FestÓ that will extend the reach of the World Juniors throughout the province. Hockey Canada has announced exhibition games will be played in small Saskatchewan communities, outside of Regina and Saskatoon. This could mean SJHL centres may see a pre-tournament game. ÒThe impact of the World Junior Hockey Championship is far reaching because of our partnerships through the Saskatchewan Development Model that have developed over the last three years,Ó says SJHL President Laury Ryan. ÒThe world is coming to Saskatchewan and it will benefit all junior hockey, not just major junior. The potential impact on Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League teams could be that exhibition games are hosted in some of our centres and direct financial benefits will be put towards the Bursary Program of the Saskatchewan Development Model.Ó Further benefits may be announced at a later date. The game schedule will consist of 31 games, created and approved by both the IIHF and the 10 competing nations. The game schedule will not be determined or announced until early 2009. Ticket information, ticket prices and process for obtaining tickets for the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship will be launched and made available on a priority basis later this summer, with first rights going to WHL season ticket holders in Saskatchewan (Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors). These season ticket holders will be contacted directly with information on the ticket process. Public sale of tickets will not take place until the fall of 2008. The bid from Saskatchewan was chosen from three potential groups who made final presentations in Toronto on June 9-10 to the 2010 and 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship site selection committee, comprised of Bob Nicholson (president and CEO, Hockey Canada), Allan Morris (chair of the board, Hockey Canada), David Branch (president, Canadian Hockey League), Scott Smith (COO, Hockey Canada) and resource person Scott Farley (director of marketing services and events, Hockey Canada). The three finalists were from Halifax/Moncton, Winnipeg/Brandon and Saskatoon/Regina. Key elements of the bid from Saskatoon/Regina: Projected attendance of over 300,000 An estimated economic impact of over $25 million in the province of Saskatchewan Committed government and business support in excess of $5 million A projected $500,000 to be contributed from the event profit to support the Saskatchewan Hockey Association Scholarship and Legacy Fund as well as toward player development initiatives and athlete educational support through the Saskatchewan Development Model A unique community event program called ÒWorld FestÓ that will extend the reach of the World Juniors throughout the province Over $53 million in facility upgrades and new construction at the two main venues that will be completed prior to the championship SaskatchewanÕs bid includes a guaranteed profit commitment of $12.5 million, with projection to establish a financial return that will be in excess of $13 million. Hockey Canada will receive 50 per cent of net profits, the Canadian Hockey League will receive 35 per cent and the remaining 15 per cent of net profit will be shared between the host committee, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association and the other 12 member branches of Hockey Canada. The net profits will benefit hockey development programs nationally, Hockey CanadaÕs Program of Excellence including CanadaÕs menÕs and womenÕs programs, all of Hockey CanadaÕs 13 branches, and fund national hockey development initiatives for years to come. Ò(This) is a great day for hockey in Canada and especially in Saskatchewan,Ó said Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson. ÒThe Saskatchewan bid team did a great job in bringing a province-wide bid and solid business plan for us to consider. We had three outstanding bids to choose from and all three candidates would have been great hosts of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, but at the end of the process, we are very confident that Saskatchewan will deliver an outstanding event.Ó ÒThe Canadian Hockey League is proud to be part of bringing the World Juniors back to SaskatchewanÓ, said CHL president David Branch. ÒThis will be a great experience for all of the players and fans who will be part of this championship. The World Juniors is a unique event when it is held in Canada and the CHL and our member clubs in Saskatchewan will again help to run a first class event in the heartland of Major Junior hockey.Ó ÒWe knew we had a strong bid with outstanding support from the Saskatchewan hockey community, and our partners in Saskatoon, Regina, and the Province of Saskatchewan,Ó said Jack Brodsky, chair of the bid committee.
