IT'S OFFICIAL: Moncton, Halifax selected to host 2023 World Juniors - K94.5

IT’S OFFICIAL: Moncton, Halifax selected to host 2023 World Juniors

May 5, 2022

IT’S OFFICIAL: Moncton, Halifax selected to host 2023 World Juniors

From the Government of New Brunswick:

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have been selected to host the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship.

Russia was originally scheduled to host the tournament but the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) removed their hosting rights after the invasion of Ukraine.

โ€œWe are excited to have partnered with Nova Scotia to win the bid to serve as hosts,โ€ said Premier Blaine Higgs. โ€œThis world event will showcase our province and our region, and we will provide an unforgettable experience for both New Brunswickers and those visiting. We look forward to hosting the players and their families.โ€

โ€œNova Scotia is thrilled to be selected to host the 2023 World Juniors โ€“ which will be the best tournament to date,โ€ said Premier Tim Houston. โ€œWe are ready to roll out the welcome mat for the teams, their families and visiting fans, and Iโ€™ll be in the arena with thousands of Nova Scotians, cheering at each and every game.โ€

Moncton and Halifax will serve as the host cities for the tournament, to be played Dec. 26, 2022 to Jan. 5, 2023 at the Avenir Centre and at Scotiabank Centre.

โ€œSport has a unifying power, and hockey holds particular importance in cities like Moncton and Halifax,โ€ said Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold. โ€œComing out of a challenging two years, our region, hockey fans and players are ready to rally together to host the world and once again celebrate Atlantic Canada on the international stage.โ€

โ€œThe Moncton Wildcats are pleased to share our home arena, world-class hockey facilities and loyal fans with the best junior hockey players in the world,โ€ said Robert K. Irving, president of the Moncton Wildcats. โ€œOur organization was proud to support the bid and we look forward to a successful event.โ€

โ€œASM Global and the Avenir Centre are thrilled to be among the venues selected to host the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship,โ€ said Dave Saldanha, general manager of the Avenir Centre. โ€œAlong with our East Coast partners, we look forward to putting on a world-class event and creating some amazing memories.โ€

โ€œIt is an honour and a pleasure to be able to host the 2023 IIHF World Juniors with our colleagues in Nova Scotia,โ€ said E. Todd Pye, president of Hockey New Brunswick. โ€œOur strong partnership will enable us to deliver an outstanding event for all players, families and spectators who come to Moncton and Halifax.โ€