By Scott Roblin

Medicine Hat and Swift Current to host World Under-17 Hockey Challenge

Jan 16, 2019 | 3:36 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Medicine Hat and Swift Current will play host to the best young hockey talent in the world this year.

Hockey Canada officially announced Wednesday afternoon the two cities will host the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from November 2-9.

“There was a great deal of effort from many individuals to bring this event to our community, so it’s a tremendous honour to co-host with our counterparts in Swift Current,” says Ted Clugston, Mayor of Medicine Hat, in a news release. “We’re looking forward to welcoming the players, their families, and hockey fans to our city, and showcasing our community and its amenities on an international scale.”

“We’re thrilled and appreciative to be co-hosting this tournament with Medicine Hat, as it is a golden opportunity for Swift Current,” said Denis Perrault, Mayor of Swift Current, in a news release. “International events such as this not only help to transform and grow our city as it engages our citizens, but it is just one more reason to make Swift Current and this region your destination place. The positive economic impact will be a notable benefit for many in this part of the country.”

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This year is the first time the event has been hosted by two Prairie provinces. Swift Current previously hosted the tournament in 1998. It’s also the second time the tournament has been held in Alberta, after Lethbridge hosted it in 2005.

The tournament, organized by Hockey Canada, brings the top players under the age of 17 from around the world to compete. Several top NHL players, including Auston Matthews and Alexander Ovechkin, have played at the tournament over the years.

Hockey Canada is still working out a split of the games between the two communities which will be released in the coming months, however Clugston confirmed Medicine Hat will be hosting the gold medal game on November 9.

A legacy fund will also be created out of the tournament, which will support Medicine Hat Minor Hockey and its teams.

Games will be played at the Canalta Centre and the Innovation Credit Union iPlex in Swift Current. A schedule and ticket information will be announced at a later date.

More to come.