Lately, representatives of teams of France and Canada have visited Košice to inspect Steel Arena and the team hotel (both teams will stay at Double Tree by Hilton) before the forthcoming 2011 IIHF World Championship. Scott Salmond from Team Canada summed the visit by saying: „I was very pleasantly surprised by the hotel and I am sure that our players, who are used to high quality services from NHL, will feel very well there. As for the arena, it meets the highest criteria. When compared to the arenas in Canada, the only difference is that our arenas are much bigger. But otherwise, the Arena and its background is perfect. We are looking forward to the home fans to whom we will want to show the best from NHL.“

Patrick Francheterre from Team France spoke very appreciatively, too. Best of all, he liked the fact that all teams will have equal conditions in Košice regardless their world ranking. „It is very nice to know that both accommodation and the arena conditions will be excellent for all teams, not only for the top ones. Four our players, it will for sure be a very pleasant championship which all of us have been looking forward to, yet.“