The Canadian Hockey League in association with title partner CIBC, the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, today announced the six Canadian host cities for the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series to be played November 6-16.
The six-game series features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team and is an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada prior to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. The 2017 event will open with two games in the WHL, followed by two OHL matchups, and ending with a pair of contests hosted by the QMJHL.
Next season's WHL hosts include Saskatchewan's Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos for Game's 1 and 2 respectively on Monday November 6 and Tuesday November 7. When the series shifts to Ontario, the Owen Sound Attack will host Game 3 on Thursday November 9 followed by Game 4 in Sudbury, home of the Wolves, on Monday November 13. The series wraps up out East with Game 5 hosted by the QMJHL's Charlottetown Islanders on Tuesday November 14, with the Game 6 series finale set for Thursday November 16 hosted by the Moncton Wildcats.
Tickets for the Owen Sound game will be available at the MacVicar & McComb ReMax Attack Box Office at 9:00am on Thursday, Mar. 9. Attack Season Ticket Holders will have the option to purchase their seats as a part of their Early Bird Season Ticket package at a reduced rate of $22.00 per seat. Early Bird Season Ticket Holders will have their seats held for them until June 30th should they not choose to pay for their CIBC Canada/Russia Series tickets with their Early Bird Package. If Early Bird seats are not claimed by June 30th, 2017 they will be released to the General Public. Tickets for the General Public are available now at a price of $27.00 per seat. The 2017 Early Bird Deadline is Friday, June 30th.
Attack Coordinator of Communications and Community Events, Shaun Bisson, said the organization is thrilled to have the opportunity to host the event again.
"Anytime one of the Canadian Hockey League's premier events comes to your own backyard, it's exciting," he said. "The City of Owen Sound and the entire Grey-Bruce community were tremendous hosts in 2015 when the event came here, and I am sure that this years event will be no different."
Since the event first began in 2003, CHL teams have played to an overall record of 58-19-1-6. The competitiveness of the rivalry has grown in recent years with four of the last seven series decided in the final game, and with Russia earning three series wins since 2010 compared to the CHL's four series triumphs over the same period including last season by a 13-5 margin in points.
"For the 15th straight season CHL communities across our country will have the opportunity to experience the passion that only a Canada and Russia rivalry can produce," said CHL President David Branch. "Our appreciation is extended to title partner CIBC for supporting this event that will showcase many of our league's best players and future Canadian National Junior Team stars."
A total of 29 players from last season's event competed in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal including 15 CHL players on Team Canada who earned silver led by tournament MVP Thomas Chabot of the Saint John Sea Dogs, and 14 Russian players who captured bronze.
"As a Canadian company, we are so proud to bring the action of the CIBC Canada Russia Series rivalry to communities across the country through our partnership with the CHL," said Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CIBC. "This is a special year as we celebrate Canada and CIBC's shared 150th birthday and we look forward to cheering on Team Canada and our next generation of hockey heroes as they showcase their talent in this anticipated annual showdown."
Ahead of the 2017 series, CIBC and the CHL are excited to unveil a newly redesigned logo mark. The league and bank collaborated closely to develop a more modern interpretation of the logo to symbolize a new era for the Series while embracing the historical rivalry between these two countries.
The 2017 event marks the first time the series will be played in Prince Edward Island while all five other cities have previously hosted games. The event returns to Moncton for the first time since 2005 when the QMJHL emerged victorious by a 6-4 score. Moose Jaw last hosted in 2011 with Team Russia winning the decisive Game 6 by a 7-5 score, while it'll be nine years since the last time the rivalry was played in Swift Current back in 2008 with Team WHL earning a 5-0 win. Owen Sound last hosted a 3-0 Team OHL shutout in 2015, while Sudbury will be hosting for a CHL record fourth time following games in 2007 (OHL won 4-2), 2010 (OHL won 2-1 in a shootout), and 2013 (Russia won 3-2 in a shootout).
The 2017 CIBC Canada Russia series is supported by CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tires, autoTRADER.ca, and Sherwin-Williams. All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:
Game 1 – Monday November 6 at Moose Jaw, SK
Game 2 – Tuesday November 7 at Swift Current, SK
Game 3 – Thursday November 9 at Owen Sound, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 13 at Sudbury, ON
Game 5 – Tuesday November 14 at Charlottetown, PE
Game 6 – Thursday November 16 at Moncton, NB
For event information please visit http://chlcanadarussia.ca.
source: media release, Owen Sound Attack
