Maritime Hockey Not Far Off

After a spring of mostly damp and dreary weather here in the Maritimes, many were questioning whether summer really existed and wasn’t some tantilizing dream that we were sure had come in years past.

We were treated to a beautiful Canada Day long weekend featuring an unheard of three consecutive days of sun. It’s the unofficial beginning of summer: kids out school, BBQs, fireworks and beaches.

All that said can only mean one thing: Hockey in the Maritmes!!!

Yes, you read that right. Coming off the nicest weekend this region has seen so far this year the Quebec Major Junior League unveiled its preseason schedule while the Atlantic University Sport conference released the 2011/12 regular hockey schedule.

Yarmouth Set to Host World Junior A Challenge in 2012

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia has been officially awarded the 2012 World Junior A Challenge by Hockey Canada. The event will take place November 5-11, 2012 at the Mariners Centre. The Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners Hockey Club will work with the Canadian Junior Hockey League, Maritime Hockey League, Town of Yarmouth, Municipality of Yarmouth, Municipality of Argyle, Yarmouth Minor Hockey Association, Hockey Nova Scotia and Events Nova Scotia to host the international event.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work on behalf of our team and our community and I want to thank everyone who has helped us in this effort,” said Mitch Bonnar, president of the Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners. “But, this is only the beginning. We look forward to putting our best foot forward and to hosting a World Junior A Challenge the way only this community can.”

“Our community is not only proud to be hosting this prestigious event, but we are also looking forward to sharing our culture and our way of life with all the participants and visitors to our region,” said Phil Mooney, mayor of the Town of Yarmouth.

“Canada’s Junior A leagues continue to develop world-class players, and the 2012 World Junior A Challenge will be a terrific showcase for that talent,” said Bob Nicholson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada. “We are excited to work with the Canadian Junior Hockey League, Yarmouth Jr A Mariners Hockey Club and numerous local groups on another World Junior A Challenge and continue the growth of the event.”

The selection was made during Hockey Canada’s annual general meeting last week in Calgary. Langley, BC is set to host the 2011 tournament.

The 2012 World Junior A Challenge will follow the same format as other years – two Canadian entries, Canada East and Canada West, will be joined by teams from the United States and Europe. The United States team won the 2010 edition of the Challenge held in Penticton, BC, defeating Canada East 6-4 in the finals. Nova Scotia’s own Troy Ryan, recently hired to coach the St. Thomas University Tommies, was general manager of the Canada east team.

Over 800 players, coaches, Hockey Canada staff, media, scouts, Canadian Junior Hockey League officials, friends and family are expected to descend upon the region during the event.