IIHF World U20 in Canada 2009 and 2010

The IIHF has awarded Canada with the 2010 World Juniors. We already knew that Canada (Ottawa) would host the 2009 World Juniors, and the 2012 tournament, but this news today is a surprise. No other countries bid for the 2010 tournament, except for Canada. So for the first time ever, we'll host the tournament back-to-back:

http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=207357&hubname=

This is excellent news for Canadian hockey fans, as they'll get another chance to watch this tournament live. It will be interesting to see where it will be held. Because it is in Ontario in 2009, and because Quebec City is hosting part of the World Championships in 2008, I wonder if they'll bring the tournament to Alberta or Saskatchewan again? Because of Edmonton's new WHL team, they could be a contender. What about Saskatoon again (site of the 1991 World Juniors)? Southern Ontario would be able to present a strong bid (London, Toronto, etc...) but then Hockey Canada would be going back to Ontario in back to back years. Usually, they like to spread things around. 2010 is also the Olympic year, so it will be a busy time for Hockey Canada.

BTW, I know this is the World Championships forum at the moment, but usually this is the International Tournaments forum and there isn't any other place to put it.

This is great news. I'd love to have it here again, but the 'Peg hosted in '99 already. Hopefully Alberta or Saskatchewan so I won't have far to travel. :handclap:

Great news. The WJC is more special and a lot better when it's played in Canada.

No surprise here. We're the only country that really gets behind this tournament. The gold medal game at the WJC is TSN's top-rated broadcast of the year. We sell out games between teams that will be fighting for relegation. Other countries only get big crowds when their teams play. For whatever reason, the WJC dwarfs the Worlds in terms of popularity in Canada.

I think Calgary or Edmonton, or a joint bid from the two cities, will get the tournament in 2010. Hockey Canada likes to alternate between east and west for this tournament. In 1999, it went to Winnipeg. In 2003, it went to Halifax. Vancouver got the tournament in 2006 and Ottawa gets it in 2009. When you factor in Quebec City hosted the Worlds next year, I think a bid from somewhere in Alberta becomes a cinch. Montreal or southern Ontario (London or Hamilton, perhaps) would be the best bet for 2012.

I would love to see the tournament held in Saskatoon, but I don't think it will happen. The Credit Union Centre can only hold around 10,000 or 11,000 fans. Regina's arena is next at around 6,000 fans. There just isn't an arena in the province that is capable of hosting this event. Saskatoon did a fantastic job in 1991, they got the tournament just as it was exploding in popularity in Canada, but if you're Hockey Canada, where do you send the tournament? Saskatoon, which has an 11,000 seat primary venue, or Calgary, which has an 18,000 seat primary venue, and several other significant arenas in the area. If it's a joint Calgary/Edmonton bid, I think it's a no-brainer.

http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=207357&hubname=

Canadian Press

5/11/2007 11:32:35 AM

MOSCOW (CP) - Canada will host back-to-back world junior hockey championships beginning in 2009.

Hockey Canada was awarded the 2010 tournament at the International Ice Hockey Federation general congress meeting on Friday after no other countries bid for the event.

It's the first time the tournament has been held in Canada two years in a row.

The 2009 tournament has already been given to Ottawa. The 2012 world juniors will also be held in Canada.

In other news Friday, Finland was awarded the 2012 IIHF World Hockey Championship over Sweden.

Odd that no other nation even bid for it. Is it that little of a draw in europe?

I posted a poll in the Canadian junior hockey section regarding the host city. I think it has to be London. Vancouver has the Mem this year, and the Olympics six weeks after this WJC. Kitchener was just awarded the Mem 08 over London. Every other major rink has hosted it I think (except Edmonton).

And I'm surprised that Canada still gets it in 2012. That's 3 times in 4 years.

We were in Sweden last year, and will be in Czech this year. I can understand why there are few bidders from Europe. They haven't latched onto the tournament the way Canada has.

I posted a poll in the Canadian junior hockey section regarding the host city. I think it has to be London. Vancouver has the Mem this year, and the Olympics six weeks after this WJC. Kitchener was just awarded the Mem 08 over London. Every other major rink has hosted it I think (except Edmonton).

Edmonton would be a good choice. They have a new WHL team, WJC is east in 2009, so west in 2010 is a good idea.

This is one of those tournaments where it's tough to argue the allocation of venues, year-to-year, so heavily to Canada.

No other country gives this tournament near the attention, whether in terms of game attendance or in television rights. Rights to games airing in prime time EDT through PDT (versus 10am for games taking place in Europe) will bring in a lot more cash if the tourney is in North America, and the elimination rounds will fill buildings. Few countries can draw 18,000+ for medal games and/or home team games, and Canada is one, if not the only one. Lots of money for the federation(s).

Edmonton would be a good choice. They have a new WHL team, WJC is east in 2009, so west in 2010 is a good idea.

Agreed, Edmonton would be a great choice, hopefully they put in a bid for it.

Odd that no other nation even bid for it. Is it that little of a draw in europe?

Well, because it's only big in Canada. Outside nearly nobody cares about some junior tournament, especially not here in Europe. General, junior sports, even soccer are not of much interest here and find nearly no presence in the media.

Edmonton would be a good choice. They have a new WHL team, WJC is east in 2009, so west in 2010 is a good idea.

What about Central Canada? Winnipeg might be a good option. It was just in Vancouver in 2005-06 and in Halifax I think in 2002-03, then Ottawa in 2008-09, so that is east again, but central Canada is due. I'm sure Edmonton will get it in one of those two years though.


Interesting that no one else bid on it. I'm surprised that the USA didn't try again, it was a success, but only because North Dakota is close to Canada.

Canada is the cash cow for this though. People will say that it isn't fair, but it's the way it is.

I wonder who is in it for the 2011 WJC's.

http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=207357&hubname=



Odd that no other nation even bid for it. Is it that little of a draw in europe?

I watched most of the games the last time the WJ's were in europe and they seemed to be pretty full. Granted, the arena's weren't exactly that big.

What about Central Canada? Winnipeg might be a good option. It was just in Vancouver in 2005-06 and in Halifax I think in 2002-03, then Ottawa in 2008-09, so that is east again, but central Canada is due. I'm sure Edmonton will get it in one of those two years though.


Interesting that no one else bid on it. I'm surprised that the USA didn't try again, it was a success, but only because North Dakota is close to Canada.

Canada is the cash cow for this though. People will say that it isn't fair, but it's the way it is.

I wonder who is in it for the 2011 WJC's.
Winnipeg won't get it in 2010 or 2012. Not with other strong markets that haven't hosted it in years, like southern Ontario, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary, serving as potential suitors. Red Deer hosted the tournament in 1995, and there were a few games in Edmonton and Calgary, but that happened before Winnipeg had the tournament in 1999.

London will not get this tournament in 2010. Use a little common sense and you'll understand why. The WJC in Ontario back-to-back years? Yeah, that'll go over well. A suicide mission by Hockey Canada if they tried that.

Also, how many people does the John Labatt Centre seat? Because I don't know if you'll ever see another WJC in a Canadian rink with under 15,000 people. I know, Halifax did a brilliant job in 2003. But the attendance in Vancouver in 2006 and the expected crowds in Ottawa in 2009 will make it very difficult for small-to-medium rinks to ever get the WJC again. Saskatoon and London might have to look at events like the World Under 17 and the Memorial Cup.

How come they knew where the 2011 (USA) and 2012 (Canada) tournaments will be held before the 2010 one? Is it because the first host country stepped out?

As for the 2010 edition goes...why not Montreal? They tried to get the 2009 edition for the Habs' 100th anniversary but failed to Ottawa...

Why would nobody even make a bid for it? That seems strange to me.

They haven't latched onto the tournament the way Canada has.

And they probably won't ever do it since the majority (ie the ones in north america) of WJCs are played in the middle of the night and the games are almost never shown on TV. I wish each of the 7 big countries could arrange the tournament on a 7 year cycle basis. Same goes for the U-18 championships. Also, the IIHF should try to get some cooperation thing going with the major TV networks in each of these countries in order to show the games and create interest.

I can understand the love the canadians have for this great tournament but if the IIHF ever wants to sell this tournament outside of north america they should spread it around a bit more. But I guess when nobody isn't even bidding for the tournaments it's not easy to do that..

Well, because it's only big in Canada. Outside nearly nobody cares about some junior tournament, especially not here in Europe. General, junior sports, even soccer are not of much interest here and find nearly no presence in the media.

That's sad really, it's a great tournament, and a great way to sell the game. Maybe the IIHF isn't doing enough to sell the tournament in Europe? Hockey Canada certainly does a lot, the major sports networks in Canada do a lot to sell it, I wonder why it's not nearly as accepted in those nations, which really are hockey nations.

It has been reported in the Russian media that there will be a U20 Russia-Canada series, or something like that, next year.

It has been reported in the Russian media that there will be a U20 Russia-Canada series, or something like that, next year.

There has been a russia canada challenge for the last 4 years or so and its been a joke.........russia continually sends over garbage players and get bombed out of the rink each time..........I cant see why Canada would want any part of a diff russia canada challenge if this is the way that Russia is going to treat the other series.

Great news that Canada gets the tourney in back to back years :yo: I hope that Winnipeg bids for the 2010 or 2012 tourney, I'm guessing that they will bid for both and should have a good shot at getting 1 of them. Especially with Ontario getting the 2009 tourney and Vancouver having had last years.

There has been a russia canada challenge for the last 4 years or so and its been a joke.........russia continually sends over garbage players and get bombed out of the rink each time..........I cant see why Canada would want any part of a diff russia canada challenge if this is the way that Russia is going to treat the other series.

Well, at least we did send a team. Did you ever send anybody?

Well, at least we did send a team. Did you ever send anybody?

Did Russia ever inquire about a series like this before? You didnt send a team......you sent your 5th rate scrubs and they got shelled.......but hey didnt want to give any secrets away for the world junior teams so i guess you accomplished what you set out to do.

I guess the reason behind lack of bids might be the 2010 Games in Vancouver. Drawing the major part of media and sponsor attention off any other events.

Imo the WJC are the show for future NHL prospects. The players are considered the best of their age and are available at the time when the tournament is held. Very different to the World Championship where the elite is missing due to NHL duties. The Olympic Games though when the Canadian roster is filled with Superstars will certainly top the interest of public vs WJC, won`t it?

Here we go. For most of Europe hte World Championships are considered like annual, smaller Games while WJC are simply inferior in that perspective.

Did Russia ever inquire about a series like this before? You didnt send a team......you sent your 5th rate scrubs and they got shelled.......but hey didnt want to give any secrets away for the world junior teams so i guess you accomplished what you set out to do.

You actually conviniently didn't answer the queston, but ... did Canada ever inquire about a series like this before? Did you collect a WJC caliber team and said "common guys come over with your best"? Did Canada itself ever send a WJC caliber team over here in mid-season? Why would the RSL teams release their players to go play Team OHL?

But sure, it feels cool to say "you send crap" without never ever making a n attempt to do what you are accusing us of not doing.

How come they knew where the 2011 (USA) and 2012 (Canada) tournaments will be held before the 2010 one? Is it because the first host country stepped out?

I think it has to do with the concept that the IIHF said Canada would get it every 3 years. It's been the pattern since 2003.

As for the 2010 edition goes...why not Montreal? They tried to get the 2009 edition for the Habs' 100th anniversary but failed to Ottawa...

Of course, Montreal will probably bid again. However, with the 2008 World Championships in Quebec City and Halifax and the 2009 World Juniors in Ottawa, I think Hockey Canada (who will make the decision) would like to spread it to the west. I could see Montreal, and Toronto get strong consideration in 2012.

How's this then:

Edmonton/Calgary 2010
Montreal 2012

I would love to have Winnipeg host it one of those years but we had it in '99 and we basically made the '05 WJC happen in North Dakota.

You actually conviniently didn't answer the queston, but ... did Canada ever inquire about a series like this before? Did you collect a WJC caliber team and said "common guys come over with your best"? Did Canada itself ever send a WJC caliber team over here in mid-season? Why would the RSL teams release their players to go play Team OHL?

But sure, it feels cool to say "you send crap" without never ever making a n attempt to do what you are accusing us of not doing.

If we're gonna talk about this series, let's be serious. This thing is about money.

A network like Sportsnet plasters ADT on the tournament, ADT puts up some money for the CHL and the Russia Hockey Federation. They're not gonna send over their best because it means nothing to them in terms of international hockey. It's essentially as an advanced tryout for Russian players that are playing in their junior leagues.

The reason Canada has never gone over with a team is likely because no one has put up the money for it there. My guess is something like that would not be profitable enough over to make it worthwhile.