Saskatoon and Regina have been awarded the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, Hockey Canada announced Monday.
The bid was chosen from three potential groups who made final presentations in Toronto. The three finalists were from Halifax/Moncton, Winnipeg/Brandon and Saskatoon/Regina.
''Today is a great day for hockey in Canada and especially in Saskatchewan,'' said Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson. ''The Saskatchewan bid team did a great job in bringing a province-wide bid and solid business plan for us to consider. We had three outstanding bids to choose from and all three candidates would have been great hosts of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, but at the end of the process, we are very confident that Saskatchewan will deliver an outstanding event.''
The event will take place from late December 2009 to early January 2010, with exact dates to be determined, at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon and the Brandt Centre in Regina.
''The Canadian Hockey League is proud to be part of bringing the World Juniors back to Saskatchewan,'' said CHL president David Branch. ''This will be a great experience for all of the players and fans that will be part of this championship. The World Juniors is a unique event when it is held in Canada and the CHL and our member clubs in Saskatchewan will again help to run a first class event in the heartland of Major Junior hockey.''
The 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship will be hosted by Ottawa.
Canada will also host the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. Bids from three communities have been presented - Toronto, Saskatoon/Regina and Calgary/Edmonton. The site selection committee is expected to announce the host of the 2012 event in the coming weeks.