On Monday, USA Hockey announced that it has selected the Buffalo Sabres and HSBC Arena as the host for the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-20 Championship. In addition, Niagara University's Dwyer Arena will be used as a secondary facility for the event.
"Buffalo is a wonderful city and we could not be more pleased to be bringing the World Juniors to western New York," said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey in a press conference. "The Sabres are a first-class organization and the participants and fans from around the world will have the chance to experience that first hand."
The City of Good Neighbors beat out Grand Forks, N.D. and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. for the hosting rights.
"We are honored that USA Hockey has chosen the Buffalo Sabres and HSBC Arena as the host for the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Tournament," said Tom Golisano, owner of the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres, in a statement to the press. "All of Western New York will benefit greatly from this world-class event being staged right here in Buffalo."
The 10-team tournament features the top hockey players under the age of 20 from across the world. The 31-game event is tentatively slated to begin Dec. 26, 2010 and run through Jan. 5, 2011.
According to the IIHF, the United States has earned five medals in the event's history, winning the gold in 2004, silver in 1997 and bronze in 1986, 1992 and 2007.
Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, feels that because Team USA has played for a medal in each of the last six World Junior Championships, hockey fans from across the United States are beginning to take notice of these up and coming players.
"The interest level of the World Junior Championship continues to grow," Ogrean said. "The tournament is a crown jewel within international hockey circles and an event at which fans will see the future stars of the National Hockey League and Olympic Games."
The 2009 championship event is set in Ottawa, while the 2010 championship event is being co-hosted by Canadian cities Regina and Saskatoon. The 2012 championship is to be co-hosted by Calgary and Edmonton.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
