USA Hockey announced their finalists to host the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships today. The cities in contention are: Chicago, IL; Buffalo, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; St. Louis, MO; and Tampa, Florida.
Since the WJC’s inception in 1977 the United States has hosted the event five times. If selected, this would be the first time it was staged outside of a more traditional hockey market. There is formidable competition among the cities vying for this opportunity but Tampa isn’t an odd man out. The area is preparing to host its second NCAA Frozen Four next April. The Lightning participated in the Stanley Cup Final this past year and more than handled the influx of visitors.
Dave Fischer of USA Hockey told the Tampa Bay Times he was impressed with the atmosphere in Tampa during the Frozen Four and SCF earlier this month:
“Tampa is very formidable in the conversation,” Fischer, the senior director of communications, told the Times. “The (Lightning) owner (Jeff Vinik) and sports commission is aggressive. We’ll see where it winds up.”
The host will be decided by the end of the year with the field being narrowed within the next 60 days. If Tampa is selected Germain Arena in Estero would be utilized as the second rink for the tournament.
This could be a huge boon for the Lightning and the continued growth of the game in the Sunshine State. Tampa has shown the NHL it’s a hockey town and this opportunity would take it to another level.
(Photo by/ Tarra Dunlop)
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