After months of planning and organizing, the World Jr. A Challenge (WJAC) is finally here.
The United States, Czech Republic, Team Canada East, Team Canada West, and Russia face-off at the RJ Lalonde Arena over the course of this week.
Co-chair for the host committee, Robb Hunter, said he was excited for the tournament to begin.
“When you have so much help from so many volunteers, and a tremendous organizing committee, along with co-chair of the event Neil Langridge, the tournament runs smoothly. Hockey Canada and the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are pleased, and I couldn’t be more happy to see how things have turned out so far. I’m just looking forward to continuing it through to the gold medal game on Sunday,” he explained.
It was the success of the 2016 event that brought it back to town, which also got fans excited this time around.
“It’s neat this time, a lot of the prep work that went into 2016 was educating people as to what the tournament was all about, and how big of a deal this is to have in this community... Whereas this time, everybody knows what it’s all about. The excitement is already built-in, and it’s just a matter of building on that excitement,” Hunter expressed.
Mayor Gene Sobolewski noted Bonnyville loves hosting the WJAC.
“It means we welcome the world, and we get to showcase a level of hockey here that some communities only dream of seeing.”
The positive impact it has on the area is one of the reasons Hunter got involved with organizing the event, and letting people know what Bonnyville has to offer.
“People come, they stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants... We estimated the economic spin-off from two years ago at $2-million, and we’re looking forward to the economic impact study this event shows us about the 2018 WJAC. I think it means a lot to the community to bring in all this money from elsewhere, and have them spend it here in Bonnyville,” he said.
Reeve Greg Sawchuk added, “It’s a nice shot in the arm at this point when our hotels and restaurants need an extra boost. I think when we can bring this top-notch entertainment to our area it helps to bring attention to it, and perhaps attract people to come and live here.”
Before the tournament officially started, exhibition games gave fans a taste of what was to come on Friday, Dec. 7.
Head coach for Team Canada West Rick Swan noted it gave the teams a chance to get used to playing together ahead of the main event.
“Exhibition is really about what you have, and really filling out what you’re going to be able to work with in the tournament. We really don’t put a lot of merit on the outcome of an exhibition game, because it’s just an opportunity for us to see and try different things with specialty teams and different line combinations,” detailed Swan.
The official kick-off was on Sunday with opening ceremonies. Russia defeated Team Canada East with a final 5-3, while Team Canada West found themselves in the winner’s column with a 2-1 shootout win over Team United States.
Teams went head-to-head in exhibition action on Friday, Dec. 7.
Russia beat Team Canada West 5-2 in Frog Lake at the New Horizons Centre, while Team United States defeated Team Canada East 3-1 at the Energy Centre in Cold Lake.
At the RJ Lalonde Arena, the Czech Republic bested the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs 5-1.
While he was in Frog Lake with Team Canada West, Swan was happy to hear how his team did.
“For two periods, we took it to them and they got some breaks in respect to scoring some goals. I talked to T.J. Millar, and he said that our guys did the Town of Bonnyville proud.”
Next up in the WJAC, Team United States will go up against the Czech Republic tonight (Tuesday). Puck drop is 7 p.m.
