Great Britain’s Men’s Under 20s Team to Play in Dumfries Based Ice Hockey World Championship
World Championship Ice Hockey returns to Dumfries in December with a mouth-watering line up featuring the Great Britain Men’s Under 20s team.
The International Ice Hockey Federation’s 2018 Under 20s Division II Group A tournament matches up the hosts Great Britain, the top ranked nation, against second seeds Japan and the Korea, Estonia, Romania and the Netherlands. The World Championship takes place between 10-16 December at the Ice Bowl.
The high quality ice hockey is sure to be fast, furious and ultra-competitive as the six Nations battle to be promoted to a higher category Group for season 2018/19, or face the trapdoor of relegation.
The World Championship is being jointly organised by the Council and Ice Hockey UK on behalf of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Council investment in the Ice Bowl and Ice Hockey has been fully justified, as this Men’s Under 20s tournament will be the fifth World Championship held in the region within six years.
Councillor Adam Wilson, the Council’s Events Champion said, “Dumfries and Galloway will once again welcome nations from Europe and Asia to participate in a World Championship and thrill ice hockey fans. Great Britain’s five matches will be the live sporting occasion of the year for our region, and demonstrate the Council’s determination to be proactive in bringing great sports and cultural events to our area. As a Council we can absolutely demonstrate the value for money in hosting this World Championship, and the benefits it will bring to the local economy.”
There is local interest in the tournament. Martin Grubb, the Head Coach for the Solway Sharks and Ice Hockey Development Officer for Dumfries and Galloway Council will be the Assistant Coach for Great Britain.
Andy French, General Secretary of Ice Hockey UK said, “IHUK is delighted to continue our close partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council, and to host the 2018 U20 Men’s World Championship. The National Governing Body has a long-standing relationship with the Council, together hosting a number of very successful World Championships at Dumfries Ice Bowl.
The facilities are perfect to host such a showcase event, the ice is superb and the staff are some of the most experienced, knowledgeable and professional in the industry. The two organisations have built up a fantastic reputation for hosting these tournaments and I am confident that once again we will deliver a great World Championships to the ultimate satisfaction of all participating teams and of course the International Ice Hockey Federation.
IHUK are very appreciative of the support we receive from the Council’s Elected Members and we hope to continue to bring this level of competition to Dumfries and Galloway for many years to come.”
Tickets for the tournament are now on sale and range from just £5 for a single match ticket to £25 for the full week Championship Pass. There are generous discounts available for group discounts and up to two Under 16s go free with every ticket purchasing adults. Please keep checking the local press and the Ice Hockey UK website for information on support entertainment at the venue during the tournament. Tickets are available now from the Midsteeple Box Office and Ice Bowl, and online from www.icehockeyuk.co.uk
