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.

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