Lukas Konashuk, Lars Kaliel, and Matt Keillor pose following the announcement of the Grande Prairie Storm's partnership for the World Junior A Challenge)

By Jeromy Corrigan

WJAC

Storm excited to host exhibition game for World Junior A Challenge

May 6, 2019 | 12:18 PM

The World Junior A Challenge will be taking place this December in Dawson Creek and Monday morning the schedule for the tournament was fully announced.

Not only will this event be massive for the City of Dawson Creek but also the entire Peace region as Grande Prairie, Fort St.John, and Chetwynd will host exhibition games.

As seen in the schedule above, all 3 exhibition games will take place on Thursday December 5th.

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This will feature the Grande Prairie Storm battling the team from Czech Republic at Revolution Place.

Tuesday afternoon the Grande Prairie Storm hosted a press conference as part of the announcement of the partnership between the team and Hockey Canada along with the City of Dawson Creek.

On hand for the Storm was Vice President Chris Millsap, Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Matt Keillor and goaltender Lars Kaliel and forward Lukas Konashuk.

“It means a ton,” stated Head Coach Matt Keillor. “Even down to recruiting. When we talk to players, the potential to play against an international team in front of a home crowd in Grande Prairie it doesn’t come around too often.”

Keillor also added that this will also be a great motivating factor for the returning players who are coming back to the club next season.

“It would be great for both the City and team on that team representing Grande Prairie. A lot of kids are going to be excited about it.”

Dale Bumstead, Mayor of Dawson Creek, stated in the press release, “The City of Dawson Creek is thrilled to once again host the world at the Encana Events Centre, bringing some of the best young hockey players from around the world to our community for a week of amazing action. It is very special for us to be able to share this event with our neighbouring Peace Country communities and our First Nation neighbours, the Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations, and to work with Chetwynd, Fort St. John and Grande Prairie as pre-tournament hosts.”

The World Junior A Challenge, which features two Canadian clubs and teams from the United States, Russia, and Czech Republic, will begin on Saturday December 7th at the Encana Events Centre.

Dawson Creek is no stranger to hosting Hockey Canada events.

In September 2018 they hosted Canada’s National Women’s Team’s Fall Festival and in 2015 and 2017 they hosted the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge.