SAINT JOHN & QUISPAMSIS, N.B. – The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge – an international showcase of some of the best young hockey talent in the world – returns to New Brunswick in the fall of 2018. Saint John and Quispamsis will co-host the tournament scheduled to run Nov. 3-10, 2018.

“The hockey community of southwestern New Brunswick is thrilled that Hockey Canada has chosen us to host this major international event,” said Aaron Kennedy, chair of the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge host organizing committee. “Our volunteers are excited and we promise to work hard over the next year to ensure we run a fantastic tournament.”

Quispamsis hosted the 2016 TELUS Cup, Canada's National Midget Championship, which boasted a $175,000 legacy that remained in the community to support grassroots hockey development.

“The 2016 TELUS Cup put Quispamsis on the map,” said Mayor Gary Clark. “It was an outstanding tournament that our residents still talk about today. We are pleased to be working closely with the City of Saint John in a spirit of regional cooperation as we co-host the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge next year. I can’t wait until the puck drops.”

The 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, Hockey New Brunswick, and the Canadian Hockey League, as well as the City of Saint John, the Town of Quispamsis, and the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.

Moncton hosted the event in 1995 before it transitioned to its present-day format featuring three Canadian teams (Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White) and five international teams.

“Hockey New Brunswick is honoured to be the host member of the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. We look forward to having a high caliber of international hockey and competitive games,” said Nic Jansen, executive director of Hockey New Brunswick. “Congratulations to the host committee for winning the bid. A huge thank-you goes out to them already for the initial prep work and anticipated planning that goes along with a tournament of this magnitude. We look forward to having the top 16-year-old players from around the world here and know that Saint John and Quispamsis will host a top-notch event.”

Recent editions of the event have resulted in a local economic boost to the host-regions of as much as $6 million.

“We are thrilled to have Hockey Canada in our city once again,” said Saint John mayor Don Darling. “We are excited to be hosting the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. I want to thank Discover Saint John and the local organizing committee for their work in making this event a reality. We look forward to seeing the world’s best 16-year-old hockey players in action.”

The 2018 tickets and schedule will be announced at a later date.

Fans looking for a preview of the event can take in the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which kicks off with pre-tournament games on Nov. 2, 2017, in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C. All games except for the gold-medal game and one semifinal will be available via live stream at HockeyCanada.ca; TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s broadcast partners, will carry one semifinal and the gold-medal game of the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

For more information on the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca , or follow along via social media on Facebook or Twitter.