Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes was in Fort St. John this afternoon to announce $60,000 in funding for the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. The cash will be going towards supporting both Fort St. John and Dawson Creek in their bids, and to ensure the hosting committee will be able to put on the best event possible.

In a release Oakes stated, “This tournament will bring some of the best youth hockey players in the world to our province and provide them with the opportunity to showcase their talents on a world stage. For many athletes, this will also be their first opportunity to wear the maple leaf and represent their country.”

Ticket plans for the event are expected to be finalized with the steering committee on Wednesday. Details will be announced in late August, early September.