The world is heading back to Bonnyville, and it could be the last time for a while.
From Dec. 9 to 15, the World Jr. A Challenge (WJAC) will be coming back to Bonnyville for the second time in three years.
Robb Hunter, co-chair of the organizing committee, said it’s an exciting opportunity to be able to host the events so close together.
“We were given the opportunity by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) to host it once again this year. We don’t expect it to return anytime soon. It’s pretty rare that a community gets the chance to host this close together... This is kind of our finale, if you will, of hosting this event at least.”
The tournament may look a little different this time around, with five teams coming to compete.
Team Canada West, Team Canada East, the United States, Russia, and the Czech Republic will be vying to be the top team in the WJAC.
After the success of the 2016 event, the host committee threw Bonnyville’s name into the ring to put on the 2019 challenge, but were unsuccessful.
“When they gave us the news that we weren’t successful in our national Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) championship bid, they approached us if we’d be interested in putting a bid together for the 2018 WJAC. Obviously, we jumped at the opportunity knowing the impact that it could have on our community,” Hunter detailed.
Along with the economic benefits of hosting an event of this size, Hunter emphasized what the level of hockey could mean to the young players in the stands.
“The hockey is tremendous for young fans out there who are in Bonnyville Minor Hockey right now. To see (future) NHL draft picks competing on the ice here at the R.J. Lalonde Arena, it’s just a tremendous opportunity... Young kids in Bonnyville will have the chance to say they saw these future NHL stars playing in their home community, their home rink, and right here at the R.J. Lalonde Arena,” he said.
It was announced earlier this year that Bonnyville Pontiacs’ head coach Rick Swan would be taking the reins as head coach for Team Canada West.
“Just to be able to share (the tournament) with our fans, and our community is pretty special for me. I’m around our community and the people in our community everyday. I know how passionate and proud they are, and I’m proud to be able to share this opportunity and moment with the people,” exclaimed Swan.
This past weekend, Swan headed to Calgary for the selection camp to choose what players would make up the roster.
“We took a lot of time, a lot of effort since April to be able to come up with 44 players to be at our selection camp in Calgary. We believe there was a lot more that were deserving of being at the selection camp, but with the guidelines and parameters that we had from Hockey Canada 44 were all that we were allowed to invite,” Swan expressed.
Among the players hitting the ice, was Pontiac Isaac Saniga. This was his second time taking part in the WJAC camp.
“He was pushed, not only from our league by my recommendation, but more importantly, he was pushed by the other coaches that are going to be on our staff, as well as the NHL, and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) people,” Swan noted.
While the level of hockey draws the crowds, it’s the people working behind the scenes that stand out for Hunter.
“Bonnyville is such a great volunteer community... We saw the blue army of everyone wearing their volunteer jackets back in 2016, and I’m looking forward to the community spirit once again where everyone comes together to host such a great event. We prove to Hockey Canada and the AJHL that we’re tremendous hosts, and that’s a big reason why it came back for this year,” Hunter explained.
Anyone interested in volunteering or finding more information on WJAC, visit hockeycanada.ca
