Hockey Canada made a pit-stop in Bonnyville yesterday as part of their tour of the Lakeland.
Representatives of the national hockey organization were checking out potential communities to host exhibition games for the upcoming World Junior A Challenge (WJAC), set to take place in Bonnyville December 9 to 15.
This is the second time the community has hosted the prestigious tournament, after a successful event in 2016.
"We were here in 2016 and Bonnyville did a phenomenal job. We reached out to them to host it a second time in 2018 and they didn't hesitate," expressed Dave Hysen, manager of events and properties for Hockey Canada.
According to Hysen, it was the community's "phenomenal support" that had Hockey Canada coming back to the area for another tournament.
"That's all we can ask for in 2018."
The Frog Lake Horizon Centre and Cold Lake Energy Centre are locations Hockey Canada is considering for exhibition games.
On Tuesday, May 29, they were in the area touring these facilities, while also checking out the Bonnyville Centennial Centre along the way.
"We're looking for new ways to create a new fan experience. We hope everyone in the community and surrounding areas can come down to the Centennial Centre and support the event," Hysen noted.
So far, Hockey Canada has reached out to teams about participating in the upcoming WJAC, and will be releasing the list of competitors once they have confirmed.
Chairman of the 2018 WJAC organizing committee, Robb Hunter, said regardless of who is on the ice, fans can look forward to another great event.
"Everyone who participated in 2016 has fond memories of how the event was," he expressed.
Tickets for the event are up for grabs, and Hunter is encouraging hockey fans to get them while they can.
"We want to pack the R.J. Lalonde Arena and hopefully make some noise for Team Canada West and East, and maybe even some of the other nations as well."
