After Hockey Canada came calling for Windsor to host its national junior summer camp, Mayor Drew Dilkens said the next step could be co-hosting the World Junior Championships.
“Anything is possible and we’re always looking for opportunities,” Dilkens said Monday following a media conference highlighting details of the event later this month.
“It’s something we tried to go after in the past. At that time, we weren’t successful.
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“But I think if you look at the hosting we had here with the Memorial Cup, if you look at some other opportunities that Detroit has been working on, I think the stars are starting to align in the universe that we may be able to host that type of event here in our region.”
The City of Windsor and the Windsor Spitfires organization host Canada’s national junior hockey team at the WFCU Centre from July 29 to 31.
Windsor is hosting the Canadian world junior summer camp in conjunction with the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Mich., which runs from July 26 to Aug. 3, featuring players from Canada, the U.S., Sweden, and Finland.
The showcase serves as an evaluation for players hoping to earn spots on their respective national teams for the World Junior Hockey Championship, scheduled for Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa.
“It was Hockey Canada who approached the Spitfires and the City of Windsor, and asked if this community would accommodate the summer showcase based on the world-class facility here at the WFCU Centre, and the Spitfires’ successful record of hosting hockey events,” said Manny Paiva, part of the Windsor Spitfires broadcast team.
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“Go down the list. The 2017 CHL Memorial Cup, won by the Spitfires. The 2012 World Under 17 Junior Hockey Challenge. The 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game. The CHL’s 2009 Canada vs. Russia Super Series, and the Ontario Hockey League All-Star Classic in 2009.”
Featuring 40 of the best junior hockey players from across Canada, the Windsor event will include training and practice sessions, along with two exhibition games. There will be a Red vs. White scrimmage on July 30 at 7:30 p.m. Team Canada will then face off against on Sweden on July 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35 per game or $45 for a two-game package. There is special pricing for Spitfires season ticket holders, who have the opportunity to purchase their regular seats for the Team Canada games.
On July 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the WFCU Centre will also be open to the public for a special practice session. Admission for that event is free.
“We are incredibly excited to partner this year with Hockey Canada and the City of Windsor to bring the Canadian World Junior summer camp to our community,” said Brian Schwab with the Windsor Spitfires ownership group.
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“The event not only provides a fantastic opportunity to see and experience some of the top players in Canada, but also supports the development of future stars in our game.”
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Dilkens said the city would not be in the running to stage such high-profile events without such “world-class facilities” as the WFCU Centre.
“The benefit of having facilities like this is that you get opportunities like the one presented to us by Hockey Canada to host this calibre of event right here in our city,” said Dilkens.
“And it’s not just the facility that’s a big part of it. It’s also trust in the leadership team and the coaches and everyone who plays a part in executing an event like this. All of the parts have to come together to make it work.”
To buy tickets, go to WindsorSpitfires.com or HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.
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