Kamloops interested in 2013 world championship

By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor
The City of Kamloops is one of five groups interested in playing host to the 2013 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship.
Hockey Canada announced late Friday afternoon that Kamloops, Destination St. John’s/Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association, Ottawa Senators Sports and Entertainment, and the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association all have submitted letters of intent to bid on playing host to the event.
The tournament is scheduled for March 31 through April 9, 2013.
Jeff Putnam, Kamloops’ facilities and business operations manager, chose not to comment yesterday, other than admitting, via text, that “we are interested in pursuing but might be too soon to discuss details.”
He added that the City is “currently reviewing requirements with BC Hockey.”
Told of the other groups who have filed letters, Putnam responded: “Thanks . . . tough competition.”
According to the Hockey Canada press released, the five applicants must “next submit written presentations to Hockey Canada by March 4. The site selection committee will then review the written presentations and short-list bid groups for in-person presentations to take place in April.”
The host, which will be chosen by a selection committee comprising Bob Nicholson, Hockey Canada’s president/CEO; Ken Corbett, chair of Hockey Canada’s Board of Directors; Scott Smith, Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer; and Scott Farley, Hockey Canada’s vice-president of marketing services and events, will be announced no later than April 30.
The 2013 tournament will feature 21 games played over eight days. It will be the final Women’s World Championship before the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Canada has played host to the tournament five times, last in Winnipeg in 2007.
The 2011 championship is scheduled for Zurich and Winterthur, Switzerland, April 16-25, with the 2012 tournament is to be played in Burlington, Vt., April 7-14.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
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