Camrose hosts 2008 World Junior A Hockey Challenge

Added on: 2008-02-24

Sunday February 24, 2008
Karen McKinley
Staff Reporter, Camrose Canadian

The dream came true when Hockey Canada announced Camrose has been chosen to host the 2008 World Junior A Hockey Challenge, Nov. 1 to 9, 2008.

 Dignitaries from Hockey Canada, the AJHL, CJAHL, the City of Camrose and Camrose County were on hand at the Edgeworth Centre, Feb. 21 to announce the momentous decision.

 Game plan

 All 13 games of the challenge will take place at the EnCana Arena in the Edgeworth Centre. It will mark the first time ever that the challenge will be held entirely in one venue. In 2006, it was held in Yorkton, and Humbolt, SK and in 2007, in Trail and Nelson, B.C. Another first will be the inclusion of a full-length concert by a major musician at the opening ceremonies. Their name will be released later this year. Games will begin the following day with a formal puck drop.

 The challenge will follow the same format as previous years. Two Canadian teams, Team East and Team West, will battle for the gold against the Russian Under 19 national team, Belarus, Germany and the USA. Canada West, Belarus and Russia will compete in Group A while Team East, Team USA and Germany will be in Group B. The winners of each group will receive an automatic bye to the semifinals, while the second and third place teams will crossover into the quarterfinals.

 Most of the dignitaries came to express their gratitude and excitement over the announcement. MP Kevin Sorenson explained that the Camrose Sport Development Committee and several supporters urged him to write a letter of support to bring the challenge to Camrose.

 “They’ve held this in other places and they did a great job and I’m sure Camrose will set a new standard,” he stated. “This will attract major players and scouts to our community. It is an excellent way to showcase the amazing hockey program we’ve developed here and the high caliber of hockey we create.”

 Gratitude

 Mayor Clarence Mastel and County deputy reeve Vern Peterson also expressed their excitement at the challenge coming to the city and assured that the whole community and the county would do everything they could to welcome the world’s finest players, their families and all representatives from clubs with open arms. LeRoy Johnson, outgoing MLA for Wetaskiwin-Camrose and founder of the Viking Cup, said Camrose was a perfect location to host the challenge. The city has a long history of making contact with exceptional international talent and hosting major events.

 Another key reason for choosing Camrose was the new Edgeworth Centre. Hockey Alberta president Terry Ledingham said that the state of the art centre was quickly attracting more big-ticket events and was a reflection of the pride the community takes in creating and fostering athletics greatness.

 “It’s an honour for Hockey Alberta to partner with great supporters of the game and to be a part of such a prestigious event here in our province. We look forward to welcoming exceptional junior A athletes to Alberta. This will be a lifelong experience for them.”

 Since the beginning, Camrose has always had a hand in the challenge. Kodiaks coach Boris Rybalka has been on the coaching staff for Team Canada West. He made a prediction about the feavor that would grip the city during the tournament and what to except from the Canadian teams.

 “It’s obvious why Alberta produces great players. As you know, Canada only accepts one colour and that’s gold,” he commented. “We’re not up against the average Joe in this tournament. We are facing the best players in the world. Expect to see kids skipping school, people missing work and they’ll be out in the parking lot with Team Canada Jerseys and makeup on screaming those words; ‘go Canada go.’”

 Tickets on sale

 Ticket packages went on sale Feb. 22 through Ticketmaster. Packages range from $500, which includes tickets to all 13 games, opening ceremonies, concert, food, souvenir program, game sheets and full bar service to $199 package for game tickets only. Single game tickets go on sale in November. Organizing committee co-chair Glen Vinet stated they are expecting a sell out of 39,000 and for tickets to go fast. The challenge won’t just be about games, either.

 “We’re looking at getting the minor hockey teams involved in fundraising,” he explained. Whoever raises the most will get to skate with the teams at the first game.”

 They’re also planning school tours of the tournament and having the Stanley Cup on display.

 Springboard

 The challenge, now in its third year, has become a major showcase for international hockey talent. Many players like Kyle Turris of the Phoenix Coyotes, Riley Nash of the Edmonton Oilers and Brendan Smith of the Detroit Red Wings played in the challenge and many more have gone on to be drafted.