ACOA Announces Support For World Under 17 Hockey Challenge
QUISPAMSIS – Excitement is building in New Brunswick as the best young hockey players in the world are set to converge on the Quispamsis Qplex and Saint John’s Harbour Station for the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge.
The tournament will feature two Canadian teams as well as squads from top global hockey hotbeds Russia, Sweden, USA, Finland and the Czech Republic. It’s a showcase for future NHL talent – 23 past tournament players from six countries were selected in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft.
On a Saturday event held at the Qplex, Alaina Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, announced a $75,000 contribution to the Town of Quispamsis to support the tournament from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
“Attracting visitors for world-class sporting events like the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge means more overnight stays, meals in local restaurants and support for local businesses,” said Lockhart in announcing the funding.
Gary Clark, the Mayor of Quispamsis, also announced a $10,000 contribution to the tournament from that community.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 3, with a 3:30 p.m. game between Finland and Sweden and a 7:30 p.m. game between Canada’s red squad and Russia, both at the Qplex. The bronze and gold medal games will be held at Harbour Station on Saturday, Nov. 10. The medal games will be televised nationally on TSN.
Individual tickets and tournament passes are available now.