Dumfries to host U20 World Championship tournament

Ice Hockey UK, in conjunction with the Dumfries Ice Bowl and Dumfries and Galloway Council, will host the U20 World Championship (Division 2A) tournament later this year.

The Dumfries Ice Bowl has already successfully hosted U20 and U18 World Championship tournaments in the 2013/14 season and the Women’s Division 2A tournament in 2015.

An U18 Women’s World Championship qualifying tournament was held there in 2014 and the IHUK U20 National Finals Weekend have taken place at the venue in 2016 and 2017.

Great Britain beat the rival vote from Romania for the right to host the U20 event.

The group will consist of GB, Estonia, Japan, Netherlands and Romania, along with Korea who were promoted from Division 2B this year.

Ice Hockey UK chairman Richard Grieveson said: “We are thrilled to be hosting another World Championship tournament.

“We are excited to be working with Dumfries and Galloway Council once again.

“After the success of the men’s World Championship in Belfast, we really have established a strong and successful track record of hosting a World Championship.

“The previous international tournaments in Dumfries also show that the Ice Bowl has a great track record of delivering at international tournaments.”

Colin Grant, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Director of Children, Young People and Lifelong Learning, added: “The news that our council has been chosen to hold another World Championship event is wonderful news.

“We have a reputation of being able to deliver world-class events within the region, and more specifically, within the Dumfries Ice Bowl.

“I look forward to working with Ice Hockey UK and other stakeholders to deliver this event.”

The tournament is scheduled to run from 10th to 16th December 2017, although dates still have to be officially confirmed.

(Image permission: Duncan Speirs)