USA Hockey wanted to make sure of one thing regarding the IIHF Men’s World Under-18 Championship.
“We want it to be the biggest show in town,” executive Dave Ogrean said.
That’s a big reason why the international event will be played in Grand Forks in April 2016. USA Hockey officially made an announcement Friday, one that was attended by three USA Hockey executives as well as North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple and Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown.
Ralph Engelstad Arena will serve as the event’s main host. All U.S. and Canada games will be played there, as will the entire single-elimination portion of the tournament. Other select games and consolation/relegation will be played at Purpur Arena.
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The event will feature many of the top 1998-born players in the world.
“I think it’s the perfect sized market,” said Ogrean, USA Hockey’s executive director. “We have experience in Grand Forks. We have great confidence in the people, especially Jody Hodgson. We know he will over-deliver.
“We know it’s a great market in terms of public enthusiasm for the sport of hockey and it is one of the most amazing facilities in the entire country. It will be very, very special for the players - not only the U.S. players, but players from all of the countries.”
Ralph Engelstad Arena submitted a bid to host the tournament in July and was named one of two finalists this fall. The other finalist was believed to be Buffalo, N.Y.
This will be the second major USA Hockey tournament in Grand Forks. The city hosted the World Junior Championship (under-20) a decade ago.
“We came away from that with complete faith in the people here, the facility and the organization,” Ogrean said. “We don’t award this tournament to Grand Forks in 2016, 18 months away, with any uncertainty or trepidation - just a tremendous amount of confidence and enthusiasm.
“It’s a market of extremely knowledgeable hockey fans. They love their hockey. They love the Sioux. I’m confident that they are going to turn out and support the U.S. and all the other countries. It will be a great hockey festival.”
This is only the second time that the U.S. has hosted the World Under-18 tournament, which started in 1999. The other time was 2009, when Fargo’s Scheels Arena was the primary venue. Several players from that event are already in the NHL, including Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.
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Several UND players have competed in the event, including current players Nick Mattson, Keaton Thompson and Gage Ausmus.
Last year’s event was held in Finland. This April, it will be in Switzerland.
“The stature of this tournament grows every year,” Ogrean said. “It is a big, big deal now. It’s going to be buzzing with scouts from not only all of the NHL teams but also colleges. It is truly a showcase of the best stars of the next day and the next season.”
Hodgson, Ralph Englestad Arena’s general manager, said planning will start immediately.
“We’re just very excited,” he said. “We’re really happy to have the opportunity to do it. We’re looking forward to it. I think the city will rally around it.”
