USA Hockey announces finalists to host 2011 World Junior Championship
2008-08-21 11:19:28
USA Hockey has narrowed the list of potential candidates to host the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship to three cities.
Still in contention to host the annual holiday tradition are Buffalo, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Grand Forks, N.D.
“The World Under-20 Championship is a spectacular event that we're extremely pleased to be hosting again,” Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, said in a statement. “We had interest in this event from more than 20 different entities across the country. We've narrowed the field to three very worthy finalists and look forward to reaching a decision before the end of the year."
This year’s tournament will take place in Ottawa and the 2010 edition will move to Regina and Saskatoon.
The WJC was last held in the United Stated in 2005 in Grand Forks and Thief River Falls, N.D.
The past four championships have been won by Canada.
Bob Mac (Posted 2008-09-07 14:41:01)
Grand Forks first choice, Minn. second. I've never been to either.
Mike Hubert (Posted 2008-09-01 15:20:35)
To Chris Miller: Grand Forks wasn't even a Blip on the map? You must have had your head a little farther south on your body that year! You have to Insult people from Buffalo for almost loosing their team? Did you ever hear of the Dallas Stars? You know them don't you? They use to be the Minnesota North Stars who couldn't get attendance to reach 6000 for a game. Or How about the Manitoba Moose? You know the team that use to be in St Paul? Although I'm not going to travel to Buffalo to see a game, I would travel to Grand Forks. I'd also go to St. Paul to see a game if your not there with your attitude! Next time look in your own back yard before you criticize others such as Buffalo. Yes we did loose the Jets, but we also had the Best World Juniors on record ever!
Wayne (Posted 2008-08-25 08:55:24)
Justin, I think I'm pretty familiar with the facts, having attended the WJC in Grand Forks, the Frozen Four in Buffalo and St. Paul, the World Cup in St. Paul, etc. You're looking at attendance figures for St. Paul in 1989. Attendance for the championship game in St. Paul in 2002 was 19,324 (although total attendance for the tournament was less than in Buffalo in 2003). And yes, the Buffalo fans jumped right on those way below-face value tickets that became available after the semis. The real point is that in order to have good attendance at a WJC in the US, we need lots of Canadians to come, as well as Americans from the surrounding area (like those who bailed when their teams lost in the Frozen Four semis in Buffalo). They will come to any of the 3 sites being considered, but I think a multi-day tournament is most likely to be successful in St. Paul. I"ll be there regardless of which site is selected.
JUSTIN (Posted 2008-08-24 22:02:16)
Wayne, make sure your thoughts are accurate before writing them down. Buffalo had the second most total attendance at the Frozen Four in its history. (Yes, second to St. Paul.) Yes, fans were "bailing" out, but those were the fans of teams that were eliminated, who then sold their seats to Buffalo hockey fans who couldn't get tickets to these sold out games. These fans then put almost 19,000 in the arena to see the championship game. At that time I am sure most of those fans didn't know who Tomas Vanek was, and they still showed up. (There was only 15,406 at the championship game at St. Paul)
Wayne (Posted 2008-08-24 09:09:27)
I agree that it shouldn't be a US vs. Canada issue--that's really getting tiresome. I've been to all three U.S. venues being considered. Maybe Buffalo could use the economic boost the most, but the facilities in Grand Forks are second to none--smaller arenas than the others but absolutely first class. Most importantly, fans (whether they are Americans or Canadians) will come to see non-NHL hockey in ND and Minnesota--fan support at NCAA Frozen in Buffalo a few years ago wasn't impressive. As soon as the teams from the East were eliminated, people were bailing out. And this isn't the "Sidney Crosby game"--we're talking about a hockey tournament with players most US fans have never heard of. Best choice overall probably is Minn.-St. Paul--hotbed for all levels of hockey, great arena, best airport accessibility and more non-hockey things to do.
Sabrix (Posted 2008-08-23 23:40:44)
I totally forgot what I was gonna say on the first post, so sorry for the double post. I say put the tournament in Minnesota - in my opinion that is hockeytown, usa.
Sabrix (Posted 2008-08-23 23:37:51)
I agree with Flyerfan52, I'm a die hard hockey fan from Vancouver (insert Canucks put down here...jerks) and I gotta say, why do some of us always turn this into an us vs. them (usually the US, and sometimes Russia) thing? Take it easy. It makes you look like a bunch of insecure idiots (hopefully you're not) when you turn every article about US hockey into an attack on US hockey. I mean for God's sake, it's a big enough game for everyone to love. Smoke a joint and love thy neighbour.
Justin (Posted 2008-08-23 22:53:09)
"Buffalo had the Sidney Crosby game", and 71,000 hockey fans showed up. I think that speaks for itself. Case closed.
Jason (Posted 2008-08-23 11:27:53)
just to throw this comment in the ring about sellouts. buffalo has almost sold out all there games. the xcel energy arena has soldout all games to include nhl, ncaa, high school, and junior tournaments. if a puck drops at the X, 18568 people are watching guarenteed
Chris (Posted 2008-08-23 00:08:25)
In reply to jan, yea buffalo has sold out basically every game for the last 2 years which is fantastic. And I think thats why the support in general for a hockey tournament like this would be awesome. People in Minnesota go to any hockey game just to be inside an arena to warm up
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-22 21:14:33)
Also, "Uncle Milty", why would you use the nickname of an American comedic icon to post put-downs of American hockey fans?
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-22 21:11:01)
It's sickening the way a lot of Canadians keep thinking that we are the only "true" hockey fans! Per capita, there are probably more fans here than in the US. That has nothing to do with how much they care or know about the game. A lot of the American posts expose you as the bigoted, clueless idiots you label them.
Uncle Milty (Posted 2008-08-22 12:44:42)
The fact of the matter is that the one financially successful WJC ever held in the US was successful only because of an influx of Canadian fans. No doubt US organizers paid close heed to this fact when they selected all border towns/ cities as finalists. Face it, Yankees don't support junior hockey in the numbers required, which is why the US will only hold this tourney in areas from where they can draw the true hockey fans, you know, from Canada.
Oil Country (Posted 2008-08-22 12:41:27)
Minny deserves theWJC based on merit. To Chris Miller...if the WJC is in anyone of these cities the arena will be full with a large Canadian contingent. As a Canadian I could really care less where the games are played, as long as there's a game on the tube u can bet there's millions of Canadians watching. Curling?? You know why its popular here?? Because anyone can play, it's played on the ICE & there's 7 months of winter. That's the life of a Canadian...weekend bonspiels & HNIC. Canadians are the most passionate of hockey fans...like Americans to football. You wanna talk respect?? 2006 Western Semis...Game 1 & 2 in SJ. The crowd boos the Canadian anthem. Games 3 & 4 in town...we sing the American anthem...louder than they did in the Shark Tank. Gary Bettman needs the US involved in hockey. Thanks to the Great One, there are 3 teams in So Cal. That being said...at least a 6 pack of teams should be relocated based on economics & fanbase....pick em! I'm with Jan...build it & those who truly care will come.
eldrick (Posted 2008-08-22 12:07:15)
The Canadian RedNeck Lives!-Thanks Henson
jan (Posted 2008-08-22 12:06:31)
bring it to Buffalo-- then get out there and publicize it. (note to Chris -- Buffalo has sold out many games since the lockout even though it's tough with the economy) I'd love the opportunity to see future NHLers no matter what country they are from.
Terry (Posted 2008-08-22 12:04:22)
Buffalo had the Sidney Crosby game. Give it to Grand Forks.
D Henson (Posted 2008-08-22 08:47:06)
Robert. This is obviously an American article because no one in Canada would give a rats who gets the tournament unless it's close to where they live. Besides If US had one even one of the last 3 tournaments this article would have been a full page long. Case and point, the Olympics. Can't get enough of your own rhetoric from "part-timers" sold on the US art of mythmaking
jenn casey (Posted 2008-08-22 08:30:27)
chris miller,
do you even know why the fans in vancouver booed your precious team? because jack johnson threw a bow for no reason. also... that was 3 years ago. get over it yourself.
Chris Miller (Posted 2008-08-22 04:21:54)
Not to start a bunch of bickering but Canada lost a ton of respect in my eyes after they continuosly booed the American team in Vancouver. What class? NONE!! Canada needs to get over itself! Hockey needs the U.S. or it will end up as popular as curling. These three cities in the U.S. have shown great support for the game and will not let us down in 2011.
Chris Miller (Posted 2008-08-22 04:08:32)
I have lived in Minnesota and its the State of Hockey for a reason. The team of 18,000 ring a bell? There is no other state that packs in 18,000 fans at a High School Hockey game other than Minnesota. I hope that the right choice is made and Minnesota gets the WJC's. They deserve it! The other cities are wonderful hockey markets but I remember reading and following the WJC's in North Dakota and it was hardly a blip on the Hockey radar. that was a disgrace but not at North Dakota's expense. The area just doesn't get the attention hockey needs. As for Buffalo? Great city but didn't they just about lose the Sabres a few years ago? If fans aren't going to go out and see their own team, why would you be led to believe that they will for the WJC's? The bottom line is that it is a great tournament and I hope it continues to grow the greatest sport in the world.
Greg Mattson (Posted 2008-08-21 21:38:26)
I think Buffalo would be an awesome site to hold WJCs. I know the Sabre fans and all other hockey fans in that town would be equally as thrilled as the rest of us to watch the best of the up and comers headed for the NHL. Give er Buffalo!!
Andy (Posted 2008-08-21 20:53:27)
Hey "Scott"
There were plenty of people at the WJC in Grand Forks because the people who live up there also live hockey. If you've ever seen the Ralph Englestead Arena, you would know that ND can fill a hockey rink without Canadian help.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 19:09:09)
Buffalo could be a good choice. The cities in close proximity would likely top up any lack of a local crowd. Fans love to watch their teams draft picks from all nations before they hit the NHL. I think the Sabres have about 3 home games during that stretch though. Would that cut badly into the crowds? That's always the risk in NHL cities.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 18:51:14)
Grand Forks did a great job last go-round. If the proximity to Manitoba and Saskatchewan helped the crowds, that's not a bad thing. ND does have great fans. Look at the success of university hockey. I guess for this one we'll need to show our passports.
Scott (Posted 2008-08-21 17:41:53)
Note to whatever supposed "hockey hotbed" in the U.S. that ends up hosting the WJC: Do try to get some fans to attend. As I recall, there were lots of fans in North Dakota in large part because it happened to be attached to Manitoba and Saskatchewan. But when the WJC was in Boston a few years ago, you could hunt buffalo across the wide plains of empty seats.
Robert (Posted 2008-08-21 17:31:05)
buffalo hands down its one of the most under rated talent pool's in USA hockey and the hte young players there should be getting more looks. I think the good folks ( despite being sabres fans)would come out for this.
No one cares canada won the last four championships except canadiens it didn't need to be added to the story more nationalistic serb like reporting from you part timers
Chris (Posted 2008-08-21 17:18:37)
I'm from Buffalo and naturally I'm gonna say Buffalo should host this tournament. But not speaking from the fan of hockeys standpoint, buffalo really needs this for the area. It's a slumping economy and this would bring alot of much needed money to the area but Buffalo as a hockey town is more than ready for this. There are hockey arenas everywhere to host practices and games, and the the fan support from the locals would be huge, not to mention everyone coming to town for the tourny would eat VERY well. We have great food!
Jason (Posted 2008-08-21 15:21:10)
I agree. Buffalo would be a perfect fit for the World Juniors!
harv (Posted 2008-08-21 11:48:16)
Buffalo is the best and most obvious choice... already a great hockey town, it also has the facilities to accommodate a large influx of people, and keep them entertained when not watching the games
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