The New Brunswick town of Quispamsis has been named the host of the 2023 Para Hockey Cup.
Canada will compete for gold against three other countries, including the United States and Czechia.
Officials with Hockey Canada are still working to secure the fourth country that will take part.
Todd Pye, board president of Hockey New Brunswick, said the sport has grown significantly since its inception in 1961.
“It became a full medal event at the Paralympics in 1998. Exposure and events like this will continue to promote and grow the game,” Pye said during a news conference on Monday.
While Quispamsis is familiar with hosting Hockey Canada events, this is the first time the Para Hockey Cup will take place in New Brunswick.
The town hosted the 2016 Men’s U18 National Club Championship, co-hosted the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Saint John, and hosted a 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship pre-tournament game between the United States and Finland.
Aaron Kennedy, chair of the local host organizing committee, said the town has worked hard to attract these high-calibre events to the qplex, which first opened in 2011.
“We had some people from the town of Quispamsis who took part in some national sport event conference that we were able to begin a relationship with Hockey Canada,” said Kennedy.
Quispamsis Mayor Libby O’Hara said the town has established itself as a reliable community capable of showcasing hockey’s best.
O’Hara said they are excited to add yet another marquee event to the region.
“This event will bring an economic boost to our entire region with players, staff and fans coming from four countries and converging on Quispamsis,” she said.
As for what that economic boost will look like, officials estimate it will range between $600,000 and $1 million.
Jillian MacKinnon is vice-president of Envision Saint John, the region’s growth agency. She said athletes, coaches, officials and spectators will be in great hands.
“We love sport tourism. Sport tourism has played a critical role in building back on regional and provincial tourism economy after a couple of rough years,” she said.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, who is also the MLA for Quispamsis, said the international competition will highlight diversity within hockey and showcase that the sport is for anyone who wants to play.
“As a hockey fan, I know all about how important hockey is to New Brunswickers and Canadians across this country,” said Higgs.
“I’m excited for New Brunswick to be part of another major event, hosted this time in Quispamsis.”
The Para Hockey Cup will take place from Dec. 3 to 9. Each team will play three preliminary-round games, with the semifinals taking place Dec. 8 and the bronze and gold medals games set for Dec. 9.
Details on the full schedule, ticket packages and single-game tickets have not yet been announced.
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