FREDERICTON (GNB) – More than 100,000 people from around the world attended the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Moncton, generating an estimated $20 million in economic activity.

“We welcomed the world to New Brunswick,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace. “The province will benefit from this event for many years as people experience the province for the first time and others rediscover it. We thank the more than 150 volunteers, partners and supporters who helped make the tournament the success it was.”

The tournament took place in Moncton and Halifax from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. Pre-tournament activities took place in communities across the province, including Moncton, Quispamsis, St. Stephen and Bouctouche.

The event resulted in:

  • a 40 per cent increase in hotel bookings compared to a typical December;
  • record attendance for any event ever held at the Avenir Centre;
  • up to $2 million in provincial tax revenue collected;
  • 10,974 visitors to the #ExploreNB Fan Fest in Halifax, which was hosted at the Halifax Convention Centre from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5;
  • a 140 per cent increase in activity on the ExploreNB website;
  • the launch of a new Always Inviting marketing campaign seen across North America;
  • $150,000 generated from 50/50 proceeds for New Brunswick community organizations to support sexual violence prevention and work towards greater safety and inclusiveness in and around hockey.

“The hosting of the World Juniors in Moncton and Halifax has been a resounding success from a Hockey New Brunswick perspective,” said Nic Jansen, executive director of Hockey New Brunswick. “The opportunity for New Brunswickers to watch the best Under-20 players, and future NHL stars from across the world is an outstanding opportunity. In addition to watching world-class hockey, the hosting of the World Juniors will provide a legacy that makes the game safe and more accessible.”

As co-host of the tournament, New Brunswick used the opportunity to launch a sexual violence prevention campaign that reached 269,000, residents and visitors.

“We had a responsibility while presenting the province on an international stage to deliver the message that there is no tolerance for sexual violence in sport and that the culture in sport must continue to improve,” said Scott-Wallace, who is also minister responsible for Women’s Equality. “We cannot accept it, and we owe it to New Brunswickers to make that message clear. At every level in sport, from parents to players, coaches to our organizations, we all have a responsibility and role to play.”

 

12-01-23