CHARLOTTETOWN & SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge - an international showcase of the best young hockey talent in the world – is heading to Prince Edward Island for the first time in the fall of 2020 when Charlottetown and Summerside co-host the tournament from Oct. 31-Nov. 7.
The 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, Hockey P.E.I. and the Canadian Hockey League, as well as the cities of Charlottetown and Summerside.
"The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is a display of some of the world's best young male hockey talent and Hockey P.E.I. is grateful and excited that P.E.I. hockey fans will be exposed firsthand to such a high level of competition,” said Hockey P.E.I. executive director Geoffrey Kowalski. “P.E.I. has a long history of hosting successful international events and we look forward to working with the host committee to continue that success."
Charlottetown most recently hosted the 2017 World Sledge Hockey Challenge, and has hosted the event four times (2008, 2009, 2016 and 2017). The city has also hosted the 2012 Esso Cup, Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, the 2006 TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship, as well as the National Junior A Championship in 1971 and 2003. The 3,717-seat Eastlink Centre will welcome the teams and fans for the 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
“Charlottetown has had the privilege of hosting many signature Hockey Canada championships over the years. Our municipality is proud to partner with the City of Summerside in welcoming the world in 2020 as we co-host the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge," said Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown. "The event will bring a substantial boost to the local economy and tourism sector during a defined need period, and offer destination exposure that will, once again, thrust Charlottetown into the spotlight internationally.”
Summerside is also no stranger to Hockey Canada events, having played host to the National Junior A Championship in 1989, 1997 and 2013, and the 2009 World Junior A Challenge. The 3,728-seat Credit Union Place will once again welcome international competition for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
“It is with great pleasure that we once again welcome the world to our beautiful City of Summerside. Sport Tourism has and will continue to be a pillar of our tourism sector in Summerside and today’s announcement is a prime example of our commitment to attracting premier events to our city,” said Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart. “We formally thank our partners at Hockey Canada for awarding this signature event to P.E.I. as well as our partners for their support in making this event a reality. Additionally, we very much look forward to working with our neighbors at the City of Charlottetown to make the 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge the best in the event’s history.”
Recent editions of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge have resulted in a local economic boost to the host regions of up to $6 million.
“Charlottetown and Summerside have proven to be excellent host communities for a wide range of Hockey Canada events, and we believe the 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be no different,” said Dean McIntosh, vice president of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “We look forward to bringing this event to P.E.I for the first time, and to welcome teams and hockey fans to the cities of Charlottetown and Summerside in 2020.”
The official tournament schedule and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
For more information on the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook or Twitter.