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Wharnsby: Canada lands 2010 world junior tourney

Tim Wharnsby, January 4, 2008 at 3:05 PM EDT

Beginning next year in Ottawa, the next four world junior tournaments will be played in North America. Following Ottawa in 2009, Canada will also play host to the 2010 event in a yet-to-be-determined city because Switzerland pulled out and as a result the IIHF awarded the tournament to Canada.

The United States will hold the world junior in 2011 and it will be back in Canada again in 2012. Some of the places that have been bandied about to host the event in Canada for 2010 or 2012 have been Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Hamilton and Toronto. Hockey Canada hopes to announce the successful bids by the end of June.

Areas in the U.S. said to be interested are Washington State, Grand Forks, N.D., St. Paul-Minneapolis, Buffalo as well as Duluth, Minn.

In Ottawa next year, both Scotiabank Place and the home of the Ottawa 67’s, the Civic Centre, will be the two rinks used for the tournament. Canada will play all of its games at the Senators rink in Kanata, Scotiabank Place.

Bob O’Doherty, the general manager of the 2009 IIHF world junior championship and Jean Vaillancourt, the coordinator of hockey operations, have been here at this year’s even in Pardubice and report that the Ottawa tournament has already sold 320,000 tickets or 80 per cent sold out. The goal is 400,000 after Vancouver set the bar at 375,000 in 2006.

Financially, the Vancouver event brought in $3-million in corporate support, while the Ottawa tournament already has raised $4.8 million in corporate support.

  1. Mr. Yellin from Canada, Canada writes: Much of the corporate support is in-kind donations such as advertising space so it's not real money. Are you trying to suggest there is an economic advantage to cities to host this? Why don't you write about how much property tax money is anted up by municipal councils to get these ego events to come to their towns? They don't provide any revenues for the municipal kitty - just outflows in handing over "hosting money" to the IIHF. Oh, and don't forget paying for their tourism and host committee "volunteers" to fly over to somewhere in Europe to "observe" how things are done. Don't bore us with this stuff. How much did it COST Vancouver to host it? Don't you remember how Halifax realized how much smoke got blown up their noses before the Council there got out of their Commonwealth Games bid?
  2. v Grafenauer from Canada writes: Ummm...what about all the revenue from restaurants and hotels and cabs and such. These certainly have a hugh economic impact on a hosting city. I don't know the details for the WJHC in Ottawa next year but I do not recall the city having to put up alot of money (if any). As a fan and a taxpayer I am most pleased that the tournament is coming to Ottawa next year and I certainly plan to travel to where it takes place in future years.
  3. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Why doesn't Canada just "award" itself the Title "emeritus" and save all tha bragging.....?
  4. A Leading Edge Boomer from Canada writes: It appears that the Swiss, who passed up on the opportunity to host the WJHC in 2010, and the IIHf have already awarded the Junior Hockey Emeritus award to Canada. It is obvious they have a problem hosting the WJHC in Europe as there just is not the fan support, so the tournament loses money. It seems that only in Canada is there enough interest for the tournament to make money, so they have turned to us to host successful tournaments.
  5. A Leading Edge Boomer from Canada writes: If the 2010 Canadian tournament site is not to be decided until June, that leaves a much shorter than usual time line to get the whole thing organized. Perhaps the Ottawa organization would like to host it in 2010 as well as 2009. They will already have much of what is needed in place for 2009 and can carry it over to 2010.
  6. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: MK Euro 2008 Czechs, why dont ya come over next year and see what a real hockey programme is. Probably cant afford a bus fare where you live let alone come to a real hockey country with real hockey people running it. We dont send our kids away at 15, they play right here in Canada. Hockey capital of the world. Canada. Ask your 15 yr old kids, where do they want to play. Canada.
  7. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: MK Euro 2008 Czechs, Who's playing for the gold? Tell me, who's playing for the Gold MK. In your country, who's playing for the gold? Who's coming back to Canada tomorrow with a medal? Which team is coming home tomorrow with a medal. Cum on MK. Lets hear from you.
  8. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: I live in Canada since 85...you "dummy"....probably paid more on income tax then you will ever make.......
  9. Jimmy Stewart from Toronto, Canada writes: MK Euro 2008 - Talk about sour grapes! If you've really lived in Canada for over two decades, you should have some appreciation of this country and it’s Number 1 sport. Canadian hockey isn’t always perfect, but it’s still the best in the world and when Canadian teams (rarely) lose they shut-up, improve themselves, and come back even stronger! Mr. Yellin from Canada - I don’t think the Halifax Commonwealth bid and the WJHC are comparable. Hockey infrastructure is readily available in most Canadian cities, whereas Halifax’s largest stadium, I think, is SMU’s football stadium. The money needed to build something like the MCG or Eastlands, which are the sizes they’re using now for the Commonwealth Games would be too much for that city. I hope 2010 goes to a non-NHL city so they can enjoy the hockey some of the best hockey in the world.
  10. Piet F from Canada writes: Wooooah what's with all the aggro here? Mainly directed at our Czech friend. Not a great way to show what a welcoming country we are or the thanks that we should have for the Czechs who graciously hosted our Canuck win this year.

    Seriously though... while this is great for Canadians who want to watch the games live in a Canadian time zone, it's not great for the international status of this tournament. I'd much rather watch a competitive international tournament rather than an annual coronation at home.

    And as for Proud Canadian. Seriously - take a few valiums or something - because there is nothing worse than an arrogant, ignorant patriot. Pay a visit to the Czech Republic some day and understand the beautiful Czech culture and remarkable culture. I particularly recommend a visit to Cesky Krumlov. Never heard of it? Google it.

    True Proud Canadians go out and visit the world to put their patriotism in context.

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