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Kingston to welcome IIHF World Junior Championship

Kingston will welcome the best of the best young hockey players in December as Slush Puppie Place has been pegged to host a pre-tournament game.

The home rink of the Kingston Frontenacs will play host to an exhibition game between Team Slovakia and the defending champs Team USA on December 21, with each team prepping for the annual tournament that will kick off in Ottawa on the evening Boxing Day, December 26.

The pre-tournament game could help showcase Kingston’s ability to put on major hockey events, roughly a year and a half after missing out on a Memorial Cup bid.

In a release from Hockey Canada, the organization announced seven different communities would be hosting pre-tournament games between December 19-23, with two games in the nation’s capital and other games in Arnprior, Belleville, Brockville, Cornwall, Hawkesbury and Kingston.

In a news release from Hockey Canada, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada Dean McIntosh said this year’s tournament will celebrate hockey in communities all throughout Eastern Ontario.

“We are thrilled to have these communities play host to practices and games,” McIntosh said.

“We know fans and volunteers in each community take immense pride in welcoming the world, and we look forward to seeing the excitement build as the 10 teams prepare to compete for a gold medal in our nation’s capital.”

All ten teams competing will play in pre-tournament games, with all three played by Canada being hosted in Ottawa at TD Place.

Canada will be looking for redemption after an early exit in the quarter finals in 2024, and are expected to have an even stronger prospect pool to draw from than usual.

Since the tournament began in 1977, Canada has taken home 5 bronze medals, 10 silvers, and 20 golds.

December 21 tickets at Slush Puppie place are $32, and will be on sale as of October 28.

Presale tickets for other pre-tournament games are available on October 24 and go on sale to the general public the following day at 10 A.M, ranging from $19.50 to $50 per ticket depending on the game.

Owen Fullerton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Owen Fullerton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporterhttp://ygknews.ca
Born and raised in Whitby, Ontario, Owen has been living in Kingston for about three years after starting the band Willy Nilly. Prior to that he worked at CKLB radio in Yellowknife and completed studies in Niagara College's Broadcasting program.

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