Tampa is among five finalists to serve as host city for the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, USA Hockey announced Tuesday. Other locations being considered are Chicago, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
The annual championship, which features teams from 10 countries, is held each year in late December and early January and features the best male players in the world under age 20. All total, 31 games are played during a two-and-a-half week stretch with worldwide television coverage, including the NHL Network in the United States.
“We had interest of varying levels from more than a dozen entities,” said Mike Bertsch, assistant executive director of marketing, communications and events for USA Hockey.