Under 17 World Hockey Challenge Scheduled for October Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Hockey Canada on Friday 3^rd July announced that the 2020 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge that was scheduled to take place in the fall has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The annual tournament was set to start on October 31 and was to run for a week in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I.

“Hockey Canada’s priority remains the health and safety of all participants and the general public. We believe the decision to cancel the 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is the safest decision given the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic at a local level, as well as the international implications associated with this event,” Hockey Canada said in its official statement.

Charlottetown and Summerside will still be hosting the 2021 edition of the event in partnership with Telus and other partners.

Russia is the defending champion at the tournament after beating the United States in the previous game last year in Saskatchewan.

The Canada’s U17 program will continue with its virtual summer camp, with the hope of being able to compete in a local environment in the fall.

As per Hockey Canada the remaining event schedule for 2020 is still set to go, including the National Women’s U18 Championship in Dawson Creek, B.C., in November, the Para Hockey Cup in Bridgewater, N.S., and the World Junior A Challenge in Cornwall, Ont., both in December, and 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, that opens Boxing Day.