Hlinka Gretzky Cup Canceled

Long time no post.

Well, more hockey has been outright canceled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup, a highlight of the yearly junior hockey calendar has been canceled. The tournament was to take place August 3 to 8, 2020 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

Hockey Canada, who help put on the annual summer showcase along with the Czech Ice Hockey Association and the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation, announced the news yesterday. The tournament would have included the under-18 men’s teams from Canada, the USA, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Finland and Slovakia.

Tom Renney, Hockey Canada CEO and Scott Smith, president and COO of Hockey Canada put out a joint statement on the tournament’s website that read: “the health and safety of the players, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers and the general public is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada, and although this was a difficult decision to make, we believe it is in the best interest of everyone involved given the uncertainty at this time.

They continued by thanking the sponsors and mention that they “look forward to returning to the Czech Republic and Slovakia for the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.” The tournament alternates each year between Canada and the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The 2022 tournament will also take place in Alberta.

If you happened to purchase tickets to any of the games, you “will be contacted by May 15 regarding ticket options, including a full refund.”

The 2021 World Junior Championship is scheduled to take place in Alberta starting this December as well.

Devils Participate in the All-In Challenge

The Devils are taking part in the All-In Challenge, which is presented by Fanatics. The program sees athletes and artists coming together to help “fight food insecurity.”

Essentially, fans bid on memorabilia and experiences to help raise money for food for kids, the elderly and people working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Devils announced a package that includes tickets to a game for the winner and their guests, a locker room tour, a Zamboni ride, on stage concert tickets at Prudential Center and playing a round of golf with Martin Brodeur.

The starting bid was $2,500.00 and is currently up to $7,000.00 off thirteen bids as of around 6 PM on April 24.

One-hundred-percent of the money goes to charity.

The winner and three friends get to play golf with Marty, get penalty box tickets to a Devils game at Prudential Center (which include lounge access with unlimited food and beverage according to the official rules). The winner and their three guests will also get a tour of the Devils’ locker room following the game, get to watch warmups from ice level, have the opportunity to ride the Zamboni between periods and get a custom Devils jersey and Devils merchandise.

The game and the golf round with Marty will be decided upon at a later date according to the official rules.

As for the concert, you and three guests will be seated on the stage during the concert, with VIP lounge access throughout the show. You will also get an artist meet-and-greet following the show.

This includes one round-trip plane ticket for the winner and their three guests, domestic airfare only. There is also one-night hotel stay for the four people. According to the rules, the “winner can choose whether flight & hotel stay will be used for the concert experience or the game (if they are on different days).”

It is pretty pricey, but all for a good cause. If you have the funds and want to take a chance, go to charityauctions.fanatics.com. The auction ends next Friday at around 8 PM ET.