Matchups slated

Team Canada East and West name directors of operations

Opening games announced for World Junior A Challenge.

Team Canada East, the 2016 silver-medallists, will open this year’s tournament against Russia in prime time on Sunday, Dec. 10, when the World Junior A Challenge returns to Atlantic Canada this December.

With ticket sales underway since April, Truro’s host organizing committee along with Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) have released the 2017 schedule and team pools for the event being hosted at the RECC in Truro.

Joining Canada East in Group A are Russia and Switzerland, while Group B includes Team Canada West, the Czech Republic, and the United States. Canada West and the Czech Republic open their tournament at 3:30 p.m. (AT) on Dec. 10.

“Confirming the schedule and teams really brings the event to life,” said Dave Hysen, manager of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “For the local organizers and volunteers who are working

tirelessly on making this a success for the town and county, this announcement really helps set things in motion as we hit the homestretch in the event’s preparations.”

Full-tournament packages give fans the best value at $175, including fees and applicable taxes, and are the only way to secure reserved seating; all other ticket options will be general admission. The package include all 13 tournament games and are available

online at HockeyCanada.ca/ Tickets, in-person at the RECC, or by calling 1-888-311-9090.

Fans who purchase a tournament pass but can’t attend all games have the option of donating those tickets back to the organizing committee this fall when they receive their hard-copy tickets.

The committee will ensure donated tickets are given to those who might not otherwise be able to attend a game.