Nova Scotia Wins Bid to Host 2012 U20 Canada-Russia Challenge
Halifax will host the 2012 U20 Canada-Russia Challenge, Aug. 13-14, at the Halifax Metro Centre.
Hockey Canada today, May 11, announced Halifax as the host destination for the two exhibition games, which will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Canada-Russia Summit Series.
"The Canada-Russia Challenge is an exciting opportunity to celebrate sport and showcase Nova Scotia as a world-class destination," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "Major events, such as these, attract more visitors to the province and help build Nova Scotia's $1.8-billion tourism industry."
The province will support the event with a $75,000 marketing partnership. Halifax Regional Municipality has committed $100,000 toward the event.
"Citizens of Halifax Regional Municipality have made this a hockey town," said Mayor Peter Kelly, "On behalf of council, I look forward to joining scores of excited hockey fans in welcoming this action-packed series that is sure to draw an enthusiastic crowd."
The teams will face off in Yaroslavl, Russia, for two of the series' four games before travelling to Nova Scotia. The two-game event at the Halifax Metro Centre is expected to draw capacity crowds. Economic activity from the event is projected to be more than $2 million, $1.1 million of which will be new money to the Nova Scotia economy.
The event also marks the 10th anniversary of Halifax hosting the 2003 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
"In 2003, Halifax set records for a World Junior Hockey event, with more than 240,000 attendees and 4.1 million viewers for the gold medal game," said Scott Ferguson, president and CEO of Trade Centre Limited. "Our community has a reputation as the perfect backdrop for events like these -- our expertise and hospitality will create an unforgettable experience for fans, players, sponsors and organizers."
The event will be broadcast nationally by TSN/RDS, offering many opportunities to highlight Halifax and Nova Scotia as the official host destination. In addition to national broadcast exposure, the destination will be highlighted through in-venue promotion.