THE cream of rising ice hockey talent from Europe and Asia will descend on Dumfries this weekend as the under-20 World Championships get underway.
Held in the Dumfries Ice Bowl, the Division II Group A tournament will feature 15 games in a round-robin format, with Team GB up against Korea, Estonia, Japan, Netherlands and Romania as they look to win promotion back to Division I Group B.
Two local players are set to star for the GB side, with Dumfries-based Solway Sharks players, Stuart Kerr and Jordan Buesa, both in the squad, with Sharks coach Martin Grubb also involved in the GB set-up. Jordan has also starred for professional outfit Braehead Clan this season.
A total of five Scottish players have been selected in the 22-man squad for the tournament that runs from December 10 to 16, including Dundee Stars’ Ben Edmonds, Chad Smith of Fife Flyers and Dundee-born Craig Garrigan, now with Skylands Kings in the USA.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Buesa said: “It’s always an honour to represent GB but to do so in a world championships at home makes it even more special. We are up against some strong opposition but will be trying our best to win the group. We hope as many fans as possible come along to cheer us on.”
The tournament, jointly organised by Ice Hockey UK and Dumfries & Galloway Council on behalf of the International Ice Hockey Federation, represents yet another coup for the region as it welcomes back international ice hockey for a sixth consecutive year.
Councillor Adam Wilson, who leads on the council’s events strategy which has delivered a number of major occasions to the region, said: “World Championship Ice Hockey is a wonderful tournament to bring to Dumfries, and an exciting prospect for all sports fans. We have an enviable recent tradition of hosting IIHF World Championships and are proud to be able to bring the Great Britain national team at Under 20s level back to South West Scotland.
“Ice Hockey is alive and well in Dumfries and past tournaments have really boosted the profile and participation numbers in the sport – I’m sure this Under 20s World Championship will be no different.”
Tickets for the tournament are on sale and range from just £5 for a single match ticket to £25 for the full week championship pass. There are group discounts available and up to two under-16s can go free with every ticket-purchasing adult.
Tickets are available from the Midsteeple Box Office and the Ice Bowl, as well as from https://www.ticketweb.co.uk/search/?keyword=ice+bowl
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