The world’s top junior hockey teams will convene in Red Deer and Edmonton for the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in 2021.
Hockey Canada made the announcement at Rogers Place last week in Edmonton.
This is the second time Red Deer will host the annual under-20 international hockey tournament.
Mayor Tara Veer was also there to speak at the announcement.
“World Juniors is more than a hockey tournament,” she said. “World Juniors is our national tradition. Every year, Canadians across the true North proudly wear red, wave the maple leaf and lose our voices as we celebrate Team Canada overtime goals at the World Juniors.”
She said Red Deer is ‘incredibly proud’ to be a partner host city.
“Hosting the Juniors in 1995 was a game-changing catalyst for our community, building major sport event hosting within our community’s identity,” she said. “We will build on this proud heritage with our funding partners in the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta, but above all Hockey Canada Oilers Entertainment Group and the Red Deer Rebels are to be applauded and commended for the hockey history, for the Canadian history, that we are writing today.”
Red Deer and Calgary co-hosted the tournament in 1995, while Edmonton hosted the event with Calgary in 2012.
Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda said Alberta has committed $2.25 million for the tournament. He said revenue from tourism as a result of the international championship is expected to be $75 million.
Red Deer Rebels owner Brent Sutter also spoke at the announcement.
“On behalf of the Rebels organization, the City of Red Deer, our partners at Westerner Park and all junior hockey fans in Central Alberta, we are beyond excited to bring the IIHF World Junior Championship back to our community,” he said.
“This marquee event was a game-changer for the region in 1995, and we’re sure fans from around the world will be embraced once again.”
The 2019 World Juniors are being held in Vancouver and Victoria from Dec. 26th to Jan. 5th, 2019. The Czech Republic is hosting the event in 2020.
Tickets for the 2021 Championship will be available to Edmonton Oilers, Oil Kings and Rebels season-seat holders in the spring. Tickets will go on sale to the public at a later date.
