Hockey Canada has announced the schedule for December’s World Junior A Challenge in Kindersley, SK.
Denmark will compete for the first time, joining Switzerland, Russia, the United States, Canada East and Canada West.
The tourney opens Dec. 14 with a Group A game between Switzerland and Canada East.
The United States is also in Group A.
Group B includes Denmark, joined by Russia and Canada West. Canada West is the team that would have any Chilliwack Chiefs.
Since the first World Junior A Challenge in 2006, more than 200 National Hockey League draft picks have played in the tournament, including 21 first-round selections. That list includes Kyle Turris, Nail Yakupov, Joe Colborne and Beau Bennett.
Seven of the eight gold medal games at the World Junior A Challenge have featured at least one Canadian team.
Canada West won gold at the first two tournaments, in 2006 and 2007, also taking the top prize in 2011.
Canada West earned silver in 2008, 2009 and 2012.
Canada East has yet to win it all, claiming silver in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011.
Canada East won bronze in 2008.
For more information on this tournament, visit hockeycanada.ca/wjac or follow along via social media at facebook.com/wjrac or twitter.com/hc_wjac