World-class Junior A hockey could soon be coming to Bonnyville as a local committee will be submitting a bid to host the 2016 World Jr. A Challenge.
The international hockey tournament, which features six teams of players under the age of 20, has taken place in communities across Canada since 2006.
“It really would put Bonnyville on the map if we could host this international event,” said Robb Hunter, a member of the bid committee. “All eyes get focused on the community that hosts this tournament for the one week in December. NHL teams send scouts and TSN showcases the gold medal game on national TV.”
Hunter is one of several members, who also sits as a board member with the local Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs. It was at the latest Pontiacs annual general meeting, in which Hunter and a group of several other board members decided they were going to take a run at hosting the prestigious World Jr. A Challenge.
“It would be a great event for the community,” said Hunter. “It brings a lot of money to the community as there is a great economic spinoff from the event. I think it is a great way to really give back to the community of Bonnyville and the businesses that support (the Pontiacs).”
The 2014 tournament in Kindersley, SK saw six teams – Denmark, Russia, Switzerland the United States, Canada East and Canada West – play 13 games over the course of a week in mid-December.
The Americans went on to win the gold with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over a surprising Denmark squad.
The Danes used the tournament as a tune-up for the World Junior Hockey Championship tournament held later that year in Toronto and Montreal. Several top Danish players such as Nikolaj Ehlers, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Mads Eller were part of the Danish team, which played in Kindersley.
Since its inception in 2006 the World Junior A Challenge has featured over 100 players who have gone on to be drafted into the NHL, including 20 first round selections.
This past NHL draft saw two members of the 2014 American World Jr. A squad drafted in the first round with Kyle Connor going 17th overall to Winnipeg and Brock Boeser taken 23th overall by Vancouver.
Other notable players who have played in the Jr. A Challenge includes Joe Colbourne, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jaden Schwartz, Kyle Turris, Andrei Vasilevski and Nail Yakupov.
“It is an unreal level of hockey,” said Hunter, who feels the Pontiacs would have a good chance of adding a local flavour to the Canada West squad with some decent Jr. players on their way to the community.
“The Bonnyville Pontiacs, with the team they are putting together, have a pretty good chance of getting players back on to this team,” said Hunter. “We are hoping that some local players will be able to participate in this event and represent Team Canada in their home town rink.”
Former Pontiac turned Minnesota Wild winger Justin Fontaine suited up in a past tournament. All-star Pontiacs defenseman Steven Siego has also represented the local squad internationally.
Canada West has had quite the success in the Jr. A Challenge with the squad winning the first two gold medals handed out in 2006 and 2007. They earned silver medals in 2008 and 2009, picked up another gold in 2011, a silver in 2012 and a bronze in 2013.
According to Hunter the committee is in the very early stages of the bidding process and is just getting itself organized to submit a bid to Hockey Canada before the Sept. 1 cut off date. Hunter is hopeful for the community as Hockey Canada is currently accepting bids for both the 2016 and 2017 editions of the tournament.
“They are asking for communities to bid on either. We think that Hockey Canada asking for bids for both 2016 and 2017 will increase our chances of getting one of them.”
Past host of this tournament include, Yorkton and Humbolt, SK, Trail and Nelson, B.C., Camrose, AB, Summerside P.E.I, Penticton, B.C, Langley, B.C., Yarmouth N.S, and Kindersely, SK.
