CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada has confirmed the dates and host communities for seven events taking place during the 2023-24 season, including the return of the National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

“Today is an exciting day for Hockey Canada as we announce seven events that play a critical role in the development of men’s, women’s and para hockey athletes, coaches and staff,” said Pat McLaughlin, chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. “We hope that hosting these tournaments will help introduce new fans to the game, create lifelong memories for Canadians and have a positive impact in each community long after the medals have been handed out.”

The 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be played Nov. 2-11 in Charlottetown and Summerside, PE, marking the first time in the tournament’s 37-year history that it will be hosted in the province.

Featuring some of the best young women’s hockey players in Canada, the 2023 National Women’s Under-18 Championship will run Nov. 5-11 in Dawson Creek, BC, bringing the event back to the Peace Region for the first time since 2012.

Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will compete for gold with three other countries at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup, which will be held Dec. 3-9 in Quispamsis, NB, marking the fourth Hockey Canada event that Quispamsis has hosted.

Top Canadian and international players will be showcased at the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge from Dec. 10-17 in Truro, NS, as the tournament returns to Atlantic Canada for the fourth time and to Truro for the second time.

In the spring, Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship will be decided at the Esso Cup in Vernon, BC from April 21-27, while the Men’s U18 National Club Championship will be played April 22-28 in Membertou, NS.

The best Junior A teams in Canada will take to the ice at the 2024 Centennial Cup in Oakville, ON, with the Oakville Blades hosting the national championship from May 9-19.

“We are thrilled to share the list of communities that will host Hockey Canada events during the 2023-24 season,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of strategic partnerships and community impact. “The support we have received from host committees has been outstanding and we are confident that participants, volunteers, partners and fans will have fantastic experiences at each tournament.”

Ticket information for all seven events can be found here. Tournament schedules will be announced at a later date. 

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has partnered with BDO to expand the local legacies of its national and international events through the launch of the BDO Goals for Kids program.

Every season, Hockey Canada brings three international events – the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, World Junior A Challenge, and World Sledge Hockey Challenge – as well as four national championships – the National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Esso Cup, TELUS Cup, and RBC Cup – to new communities across the country. The net proceeds from those events remains in the host communities as a legacy to allow them to invest in growing the game locally.

Working with its new international marketing partner, BDO, Hockey Canada is expanding that legacy through BDO Goals for Kids – a program that will see $50 for every goal scored at a national championship, and $100 for every goal scored by Team Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, World Junior A Challenge, and World Sledge Hockey Challenge – go back to the minor hockey association in that community to assist with offsetting equipment and registration costs for young players.

“Every season, at least seven communities welcome us and our athletes, and help us deliver success on and off the ice through our events. As part of our thank-you to those volunteers, we leave a financial legacy in the host communities to provide them with further resources to grow Canada’s game locally,” said Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer for Hockey Canada. “BDO has shared in our passion for the game as an event partner with our IIHF events hosted on Canadian ice since 2012. We are excited to have them join us as an international marketing partner, and thankful for their support of the future of Canadian hockey through BDO Goals for Kids.”

Jim Krahn, the Calgary office managing partner for BDO, joined Hockey Canada and young minor hockey players as well as media personalities in Calgary on Wednesday to officially launch BDO Goals for Kids, and make the program’s first donation. A kick-off ball hockey game was hosted at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre, the home of Hockey Canada in Calgary; the young players and participating members of the media put their best moves on display, helping deliver a BDO Goals for Kids donation of $1,000 to minor hockey in the city.

“As fans of the game, we couldn’t be more delighted to partner with Hockey Canada,” said Pat Kramer, CEO of BDO Canada. “Hockey is such an important part of Canadian culture, integral to communities from coast to coast. The inclusion of the BDO Goals for Kids program allows us to give back to these communities and help ensure more kids get the chance to play and develop their skills.”

The first two events where on-ice goals will count towards BDO Goals for Kids come in November when Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C., co-host the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and Quebec City welcomes the National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

About Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 member associations of over 700,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada; provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast to coast; manages numerous regional, national, and international hockey championships and events; and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international ice hockey competition. Hockey Canada’s mission is to “lead, develop, and promote positive hockey experiences.” For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

About BDO
BDO is a leading provider of professional services to clients of all sizes in virtually all business sectors. Our team delivers a comprehensive range of assurance, accounting, tax, and advisory services, complemented by a deep industry knowledge gained from nearly 100 years working within local communities. As part of the international BDO network, we’re able to provide seamless and consistent cross-border services to clients with global needs.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and its Member partners – Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, and Hockey Quebec - have announced the host communities and tournament dates for two of its international events – the 2025 U17 World Challenge and 2025 Junior A World Challenge, along with the U18 Women’s National Championship.  

“Hockey Canada takes great pride in welcoming premier hockey events and hockey talent to communities across the country,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact with Hockey Canada. “From sponsors to volunteers, communities over the years have proven to be excellent hosts, ensuring lasting memories and legacy for all participants.”

The U17 World Challenge will return to Nova Scotia for a third time (and first since January 2014) when Truro plays host from Oct. 31-Nov. 8. The tournament is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence and includes two Canadian teams and four international entries.

The U18 Women’s National Championship will be hosted in Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time when the City of Mount Pearl and Town of Conception Bay South welcome eight provincial and regional teams – Alberta, Atlantic, B.C., Manitoba, Ontario Blue, Ontario Red, Quebec and Saskatchewan – to compete for a national championship from Nov. 3-9.

The Junior A World Challenge will be hosted in Quebec for the first time, Dec. 7-13 in Trois-Rivières. An international showcase of some of the best young hockey talent, more than 300 NHL draft picks have played at the tournament since 2006, including 45 first-round draft picks.

Fans can stay up to date on schedules, ticket information and other promotions by signing up to become a Hockey Canada Insider.

For more information on Hockey Canada please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the schedules and ticket package details for the 2024 editions of the U17 World Challenge, U18 Women’s National Championship and Para Cup.

In addition, Hockey Canada has also announced that tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Junior A World Challenge, which is set to take place at Encana Arena in Camrose, Alberta, from Dec. 9-15, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and National Hockey League (NHL). The schedule and format for this year’s event will be announced at a later date.

“The unveiling of the schedules and ticket packages for our fall events is an exciting milestone, as the anticipation for the puck to drop continues to build while allowing fans and community members to plan their involvement in world-class events across the country,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “Hosting major events is not possible without the commitment and passion of these great communities, and we are grateful for the community leaders, volunteers, partners and our Members who make these events possible.”

The U17 World Challenge returns as a six-team format for the second-straight year, with Sarnia, Ontario, hosting at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena from Nov. 3-9. The teams — Canada Red, Canada White, Czechia, Finland, Sweden and the United States — will be split into two groups and will each play two preliminary-round games before the medal round. The event will also feature pre-tournament games in Sarnia, Petrolia and Forest on Nov. 1.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, the U18 Women’s National Championship will be held in Atlantic Canada. Eight teams consisting of the top under-18 players in Canada — Alberta, Atlantic, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario Blue, Ontario Red, Québec and Saskatchewan —will descend on the qplex in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, from Nov. 3-9.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of ParaSport and Recreation PEI, the Para Cup returns to the East Coast for the second straight year (2023 in Quispamsis, New Brunswick), with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team looking to secure its second-straight gold medal in international competition at the Bell Aliant Centre in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Canada will compete against China, Czechia and the United States from Dec. 8-14.

Full-event ticket packages for the U17 World Challenge, U18 Women’s National Championship, Para Cup and Junior A World Challenge are on sale now and can be purchased at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Fans that purchase a full-event ticket package to any fall event before Sept. 20 will be entered into a contest to win a 2025 World Juniors prize package. The prize package includes two tickets to both semifinals and the medal games, at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, as well as hotel accommodations for two nights and two $100 Hockey Canada merchandise vouchers.

Hockey Canada and the local organizing committees of its fall events are currently looking to fill several volunteer positions for all four events. Individuals that are interested in creating a world-class experience for players and fans alike are encouraged to CLICK HERE to learn more about Hockey Canada’s volunteer program or visit the individual event pages to apply now.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will air select tournament games, with broadcast details to be announced at a later date.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the schedules for the 2024 editions of the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup and Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, and announced that ticket packages for each tournament are on sale now.

“Hosting our spring events simply would not be possible without the dedicated and passionate volunteers and staff in Membertou, Oakville and Vernon, who have all invested a tremendous amount of time and resources into planning these tournaments,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact. “With the puck set to drop in each community in a few months, we are thrilled to launch ticket packages for all three events and reveal the tournament schedules.

“We are grateful to BC Hockey, Hockey Nova Scotia, the Ontario Hockey Federation and the three respective host communities for their efforts and support to deliver these events, and look forward to continuing to work with them into the spring.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup or Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, can still sign up for one of the available positions to support the delivery of three of Hockey Canada’s marquee national championships.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will air select tournament games, with a full broadcast and streaming schedule to be announced at a later date.

2024 Esso Cup – Vernon, BC

This year, the Esso Cup will return to British Columbia for the first time since 2013, with the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers set to host Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship, April 21-27 at Kal Tire Place in Vernon.

Joined by five regional champions from across Canada, the Lakers will play their first game on April 21 at 7 p.m. PT against the Atlantic winners, following matchups between the West and Ontario champions and Quebec and Pacific titlists earlier in the day.

The Lakers will also face the Pacific on April 22 at 7 p.m. PT, Ontario on April 23 at 3:30 p.m. PT, the West on April 24 at 10:00 a.m. PT and Quebec on April 25 at 7 p.m. PT.

After each team plays five preliminary-round games, the top four clubs will advance to the semifinals on April 26, with the medal games scheduled for April 27.

Tickets for the 2024 Esso Cup can be purchased here.

2024 TELUS Cup – Membertou, NS

The host Sydney Rush will welcome five regional champions to Membertou, Nova Scotia, for the 2024 TELUS Cup, which will take place April 22-28 at Membertou Sport & Wellness Centre.

Sydney opens its schedule against the Pacific champions on April 22 at 7 p.m. AT to finish a three-game opening day that also sees the Central winners face the Atlantic champs and Quebec titlists play the West champions. 

The Rush will also play the West on April 23, Quebec on April 24, the Central on April 25 and the Atlantic on April 26. All games are at 7 p.m. AT.

The tournament semifinals are scheduled for April 27, before the medal games on April 28.

Tickets for the 2024 TELUS Cup are available now.

2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons – Oakville, ON

In partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and the Town of Oakville, Canada’s top Junior A teams will compete for the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, May 9-19 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario. The host Oakville Blades will be joined by nine champions from across the CJHL.

Teams will be separated into two groups and each play four preliminary-round games, with the quarterfinals scheduled for May 17, semifinals on May 18 and championship game on May 19.

Group A will include the champions from the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Central Canada Hockey League, Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and OJHL.

The host Blades and champions from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Maritime Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League will form Group B.

Oakville’s first preliminary-round game will be against the Maritime Hockey League champions on May 10, before playing the Superior International Junior Hockey League winners on May 11, Manitoba Junior Hockey League titlists on May 13 and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League victors on May 15.

All preliminary-round games featuring the Blades will be played at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

As another season comes to an end, officials are gearing up for Hockey Canada’s spring national championships.

Forty-four officials – 22 referees and 22 linespersons – from across the country have been selected by Hockey Canada for the Esso Cup, Men’s U18 National Club Championship and Centennial Cup.

Officials selected for Esso Cup

The officials chosen for the 2023 Esso Cup in Prince Albert, Sask., are part of the Women’s Officiating Program of Excellence, presented by the Hockey Canada Foundation. As part of this program, they have attended development camps, received ongoing mentorship in their Member programs and been evaluated by national officiating coaches prior to a final selection by Hockey Canada.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for these officials to finish the season with a championship event,” says Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “These officials have shown well at our development events and we are excited to continue working with them at this championship. As always, we are incredibly grateful to the Hockey Canada Foundation for supporting this program and the development of women and girls in officiating through Hockey Is Hers.”

The officiating coaches for the Esso Cup are Hanoomansingh, Theresa Llorente (Edmonton, Alta.) and Kim Sobkowicz (Outlook, Sask.).

Officials selected for Men's U18 National Club Championship

The officials chosen for the 2023 Men’s U18 National Club Championship in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., are part of Hockey Quebec’s program of excellence. They have undergone a lengthy identification and evaluation process by Hockey Quebec during the 2022-23 season, with several attending previous Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence camps and national events.

“The U18 club nationals is an exciting opportunity for the officials of the host Member program,” says Hanoomansingh. “These officials have collaborated and competed all year in their home league, forming a cohesive unit, and earned their selection to the national championship.”

The officiating coaches for the Men’s U18 Club Championship are Serge Carpentier and Doug Hayward.

Officials selected for Centennial Cup

The officials who will officiate the 2023 Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie, Man., are the top officials in their Junior A leagues from across the country. The referees are drawn from Hockey Canada’s National High Performance Program, while the linespersons are drawn from both the National High Performance Program and their Member high performance programs. Officials were coached and evaluated throughout the season across the Canadian Junior Hockey League, prior to their final selection.

“We have high expectations for our elite officials in every game,” says Hanoomansingh. “Even with the expanded, 10-team tournament, the selections for this tournament were extremely competitive. This is an outstanding group of officials and we are looking forward to seeing them hit the ice in Portage la Prairie.”

CALGARY, Alta. – In collaboration with the local organizing committees of its three spring 2022 national championships, Hockey Canada has announced changes to the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup and Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, for this season.

The 2022 Esso Cup and 2022 TELUS Cup will run from May 16–22 in a centralized location in Alberta, while the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be held May 19-29 in Estevan, Sask.

The Prince Albert Bears and Sydney Rush, who were originally scheduled to host the Esso Cup and TELUS Cup, respectively, will remain as host teams for the 2022 events and will travel to Alberta to compete. Hockey Canada will continue to work with the host communities of Prince Albert, Sask., and Cape Breton, N.S., to plan to host future events.

“After having to cancel our spring national championships in 2020 and 2021, we are excited that today’s announcement is one step closer to crowning national champions in May,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “While we are disappointed we will not be hosting national championships in Prince Albert and Cape Breton this spring, we look forward to returning to both communities in the future. They have been tremendous partners and support the changes that are being made for the benefit of the athletes.”

The new dates for the 2022 Esso Cup and 2022 TELUS Cup will allow for each region to decide a champion through its traditional playdown schedule. The 2022 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be a 10-team event hosted in partnership with the City of Estevan, Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), with the host Estevan Bruins welcoming the champions of the nine CJHL leagues.

“We would like to thank the local organizing committees, our Members and the CJHL for their collaboration to determine championship formats that ensure the safety for all participants while allowing the leagues the opportunity to finish their seasons and compete for a national title. Moving events of this magnitude is a process that involves all partners, and without the support of all constituents it would not be possible,” added McIntosh.  

Schedules and ticket information for the spring 2022 national championships will be announced at a later date.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alta. – Following the February cancellation of all spring 2021 events, Hockey Canada has announced the new host cities for its three spring 2022 national championships – the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup and Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

The Esso Cup will return to Saskatchewan for the third time in 2022 when the Prince Albert Bears host Canada’s National Women’s U18 Club Championship at the 3,299-seat Art Hauser Centre, April 17-23. The TELUS Cup, Canada’s National U18 Club Championship, will head to Cape Breton, N.S., for the first time, with the Sydney Rush welcoming the event to the 1,250-seat Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre, April 18-24.

The Esso Cup represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, the local organizing committee and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA), while the TELUS Cup is a partnership between Hockey Canada, the local organizing committee and Hockey Nova Scotia.

The Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will head to Estevan, Sask., in 2022, marking the event’s return to the province for the first time since 2012. The Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) will play host to the tournament from May 20-29 at the 2,700-seat Affinity Place. The 2022 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, the local organizing committee, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), SJHL and SHA.

“Hockey Canada is excited to mark the return of its national championships in 2022 by announcing Prince Albert, Cape Breton and Estevan as the hosts of our three spring events next year,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “Despite not being able to host national events since 2019, we know the local organizing committees in these three communities will deliver world-class experiences to all participants. Hockey Canada recognizes the excitement for a possible return to fans in the stands, and we look forward to welcoming back hockey fans in these communities if it is deemed safe to do so.”

Historically, Hockey Canada’s national championships generate up to $2 million in local economic impact, while the net proceeds from all ticket sales remain in the host communities as a legacy to support programs that foster the growth of grassroots hockey.

Schedules and ticket information for the 2022 Esso Cup, TELUS Cup and Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be available at a later date.

While Hockey Canada continues to work closely with local, provincial and national health authorities, the dates and locations for three of Hockey Canada’s 2021 fall events have been confirmed. This includes the 2021 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Oct. 31-Nov. 6 in Dawson Creek, B.C.; 2021 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup, Dec. 5-11 in Bridgewater, N.S.; and 2021 World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 12-18 in Cornwall, Ont.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

CALGARY, Alta. – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the decision has been made to cancel all spring 2021 national championships, including the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup, Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, and Allan Cup. The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer:

“Despite a strong desire to work with four great communities to host the top players at various levels across the country this season, the health and safety of all participants and the communities at large continues to be of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada. The ongoing pandemic, coupled with the fact that many regions in the country are not currently playing organized hockey, left us with no other option. We believe the decision to cancel our spring 2021 national championships is the safest decision given the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic at a local level, as well as the uncertainty around each region being able to compete for a national championship.

Hockey Canada is grateful for the continued support of local host committees and event partners, including B.C. Hockey, Hockey Alberta, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, the Ontario Hockey Federation and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), as well as the communities of Penticton, B.C., Prince Albert, Sask., Calgary, Alta., and Dundas, Ont., and all local and provincial funding partners. Our organization is appreciative of the commitment and support of all stakeholders and we look forward to showcasing our national championships and all participants to fans next year.”

Hockey Canada will continue to work with event stakeholders to host the spring 2022 national championships with a confirmation of all 2022 host communities to be announced in the coming months.