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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.

COMMENTS (30)

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Bob Mac Posted
(2009-04-30 06:55:59)



Grand Forks first choice, Minn. second. I've never been to either.
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Mike Hubert Posted
(2009-04-30 06:54:06)



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!
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Wayne Posted
(2009-04-30 06:51:11)



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.
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JUSTIN Posted
(2009-04-30 06:51:09)



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)
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Justin Posted
(2009-04-30 06:51:03)



"Buffalo had the Sidney Crosby game", and 71,000 hockey fans showed up. I think that speaks for itself. Case closed.
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Sabrix Posted
(2009-04-30 06:51:03)



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.
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Wayne Posted
(2009-04-30 06:51:03)



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.
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Sabrix Posted
(2009-04-30 06:51:02)



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.
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Jason Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:58)



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
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Chris Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:56)



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
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