CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada announced on Monday that Charlottetown has been named the host city of the 2008 World Sledge Hockey Challenge, which will take place from November 18-22, 2008. Details will be announced by the host committee at a press conference in Charlottetown on Tuesday (City Hall, Parkdale Room, 11 a.m.).
Canada is the defending champion at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge, having won the 2007 tournament in Kelowna, BC. That event was not only a success for Canada on the ice, but it also set a new standard for attendance at sledge events, with thousands of fans packing the Capital News Centre in Kelowna.
Canada, which is also the defending World and Paralympic champion, will be joined by sledge hockey powers Norway, Japan and USA. The teams will each play three round-robin games, with the top two teams playing for gold on the final day. All games will be played at the CARI Complex in Charlottetown.
“This is another fantastic opportunity to showcase sledge hockey in our country,” says Adam Crockatt, manager, men’s national teams, Hockey Canada. “The city of Charlottetown is in for a good show, as the best sledge players in the world will be part of this event.”
Canada concluded its three-day evaluation camp on Sunday in Milton, ON. In the coming days, Hockey Canada will announce the 18-player National Sledge Team roster that will represent Canada at 2008-09 events, including the World Sledge Hockey Challenge.
Charlottetown played host to the 2008 Esso Women’s Nationals. The city was also home to the National Sledge Team prior to the 2008 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship.