We’ve seen outdoor hockey games at just about every level over the last 15 years since Michigan and Michigan State played in the Cold War in 2001. Next December the best junior players from the United States and Canada will have their chance to make history.
Announced today by USA Hockey, the showcase game of the IIHF World Junior Championship preliminary round will take place December 29, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y. Formerly known as Ralph Wilson Stadium is the home stadium of the Buffalo Bills and hosted the first NHL Winter Classic when Pittsburgh defeated Buffalo in 2008.
From the USA Hockey release:
“The U.S.-Canada rivalry is as good as it gets in sport,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, “and to have an outdoor game between the two countries as part of the World Juniors in hockey-rich Western New York will be spectacular.”
“The World Juniors is an amazing event itself and to add to it with an outdoor game is about as cool as it gets,” said Russ Brandon, president of both the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills. “It’s never been done before in the World Juniors and we’re excited to be making history.”
The IIHF World Junior Championship features 10 countries featuring the the top men’s players under the age of 20 The tournament will take place beginning Dec. 26, 2017 and ending Jan. 5, 2018. KeyBank Center and HarborCenter in downtown Buffalo will host the remaining 30 games in the 31-game event.
KeyBank Center hosted the World Junior Championship most recently in 2011 (Known as HSBC Arena at the time) when Russia defeated Canada for gold and United States beat Sweden for bronze.
Ticket packages for the tournament will go on sale to the general public on Nov. 28.
