MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Hockey Canada will host the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championship from May 28 to June 4 in Moose Jaw, Sask., marking the first time a major international para hockey event has been played in Canada since the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, and the first world championship for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team as the host team.
Canada will be joined by Czechia, Korea and the United States in Group A, with the top two teams earning a bye to the semifinals and the bottom two seeds advancing to the quarterfinals. In Group B, China, Germany, Italy and Norway will compete for the remaining two quarterfinal spots.
The preliminary-round schedule is highlighted by the first game of the tournament between Czechia and Korea at 11 a.m. MT, Canada’s first game on May 29 at 7 p.m. MT against Korea, and a rematch of the gold medal game at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games with Canada and the United States on May 31 at 7 p.m. MT.
All 20 games, including the gold medal game on June 4 at 7 p.m. MT, will be played at Moose Jaw Events Centre.
“Hockey Canada is thrilled to partner with the City of Moose Jaw to host the World Para Ice Hockey Championship this spring,” said Ryan Robins, director of events and properties with Hockey Canada. “Our organization is committed to continuing to grow the para game, and hosting this prestigious event in Canada for the first time is a significant milestone.
“We are looking forward to a fantastic week of hockey and are excited to welcome the competing teams to Saskatchewan in May.”
The United States enters the event as the two-time defending world champion and has won gold five times since the inaugural world championship in 1996. Canada holds the record for the most total medals in the tournament’s history with 10, including four gold (most recently in 2017).
“World Para Ice Hockey is excited to bring the world championship to Canada for the first time, a nation that has had tremendous success in the sport, winning medals and helping grow the game,” said Michelle Laflamme, manager of World Para Ice Hockey. “This will be an opportunity for those in Canada and around the world to tune in and see the best our sport has to offer, with fierce competition and compelling storylines as we begin the next Paralympic cycle.”
Tickets for the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championship will go on sale to the public on March 29 at 10 a.m. MT at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets, starting as low as $15.
“The City of Moose Jaw is very excited to welcome the world to our beautiful city and world-class facility this May as we host the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championship,” said Clive Tolley, mayor of the City of Moose Jaw. “This is a first for Canada, Saskatchewan and Moose Jaw, and the positive social, economic and community impacts will be incredible. Hosting an international championship of this caliber is something very special and we are so proud to be selected as the first city in Canada to be the site of this event.”
Broadcast information and the pre-tournament schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
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