Chilliwack’s Prospera Centre will host a pre-tournament game for two World Junior squads Dec. 22 (6 p.m.) as part of the Lordco Road to the World Juniors.
Team Sweden will face Team Denmark four days before the start of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome the best junior players in the world to our province in December,” said Barry Petrachenko, CEO of B.C. Hockey and co-chair of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. “We know from experience what hosting this event can mean for hockey in our region and we are confident this tournament will leave a lasting impact on the growth and development of the game here in British Columbia and specifically in Chilliwack.”
Rosters for the two teams haven’t been finalized.
This is the 43rd year for the World Junior Championship and this year’s tournament is being co-hosted by Vancouver and Victoria. Sweden has won twice, in 1981 and 2012, and all-time has two gold, 11 silver and five bronze medals.
At this year’s tournament Sweden will play in Group B alongside the United States, Finland, Slovakia and Kazakhstan.
Denmark has never medaled in the tournament and the team’s highest finish was fifth two years ago. They’ll be in Group A along with Canada, the Czech Republic, Russia and Switzerland.
“Chilliwack has a proven track record of hosting events of this caliber, and getting the chance to showcase the best junior players in the world on Canadian ice is something young fans will remember for a long time,” said Scott Smith, president and COO of Hockey Canada.
Fans can purchase tickets at the Prospera Centre box office, or by visiting HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.