3
EDMONTON — Organizations in Calgary and Edmonton submitted a joint bid Monday for the cities to co-host the 2012 IIHF world junior championships.
The Calgary Sport Tourism Authority and Edmonton Events International have made a bid to Hockey Canada, putting them in competition with Toronto, Halifax, Saskatoon and Winnipeg for the right to host event.
The 2009 event, which is being hosted in Ottawa, has already sold more than 440,000 tickets (95 per cent capacity) to date.
Hockey Canada is expected to make their final selection on the successful bid city by July of 2008.
"The Alberta advantage is demonstrated by the fastest growing economy in North America along with an unprecedented legacy in both Edmonton and Calgary of successfully hosting international events," stated Lyle Best, who is co-chairman of the bid along with former Calgary Flames co-captain Jim Peplinski.
"This will no doubt make a very strong impression with both Hockey Canada and the IIHF."
