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Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament coming to Canada in 2018

Canada's Brandon Sutter celebrates a goal against Switzerland during their U18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka game. (CP Photo)
Canada’s Brandon Sutter celebrates a goal against Switzerland during their U18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka game. (CP Photo)

Hockey Canada announced on Monday what had been rumoured for months: The Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament would be leaving Europe for Edmonton in 2018.

The summer tournament features the best under-18 players in the world. The tournament will now come to Canada every two years, adding additional dates in 2020 and 2022.

The under-18 tournament has been held since 1991, and was named in honour of the late Czech player and NHL coach Ivan Hlinka after he died in a car accident in 2004.

“The Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup is a significant event on our calendar for many reasons, the first of which is that it honours a great player and coach who was taken from us far too soon,” said Hockey Canada president Tom Renney at a press conference in Edmonton. “The event itself is uniquely positioned on the calendar to truly allow for all of the participating nations – and for the hundreds of NHL scouts who are attracted to the event – to take part in a best-on-best competition with the top under-18 players from around the world.”

According to Hockey Canada the tournament could bring in more than $5 million in revenue based on hosting similar tournaments of its size. Renney said the money made from hosting the tournament will be put into grassroots hockey in Alberta.

Canada has fared well at the tournament, winning gold 20 times, silver twice, and one bronze since 1991. It’s also featured some of the top young prospects before they made a name for themselves in the NHL.

“Participating in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup was an amazing experience for me and my teammates as we developed as young hockey players, ” said Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse in a release. “Bringing the tournament to Canada … will be a great experience for players, coaches, families, and fans.”