BERNE - Hockey Canada, along with the IIHF, announced on Sunday that Canada will host four more World U20 Championships (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021) and three World Women’s Championships (2013, 2016, 2020) in the years ahead.
Canada is already set to host the World Juniors in 2010 (Regina, Saskatoon) and 2012 (Calgary, Edmonton).
A Hockey Canada proposal to host these seven additional IIHF World Championships was approved unanimously at the IIHF Annual Congress in Bern, Switzerland on Saturday, May 9. The proposal includes a profit-sharing plan with Hockey Canada, the IIHF and the IIHF member countries that will help grow hockey all over the World.
“This is a great day for hockey fans in Canada,” said Bob Nicholson, Hockey Canada CEO/President. “The World U20 Championship rivals any other international sporting event to be hosted in Canada in terms of popularity and interest. The World Women’s Championship has achieved great growth in Canada, while also playing a large role in growing the female game in Canada.”
Hockey Canada will announce details of a bidding process for host communities at a later date.