'They're not thinking about hockey': Little appetite for first-ever summer world juniors tournament
CTV
The shadow of scandal hangs over the World Junior Championships set to start in Edmonton next week.
The shadow of scandal hangs over the World Junior Championships set to start in Edmonton next week.
Last year's competition shared between Red Deer and Edmonton was shut down mid-event, with the players returning home after three games were forfeited in two days because of COVID-19 cases among players.
Despite the tournament starting Aug. 9 and being played at Rogers Place exclusively, United Cycle told CTV News Edmonton it still has plenty of merchandise on its shelves.
"I know as a kid growing up here. It's Dec. 26; it's Boxing Day. That's the kick-off to the World Juniors," said Kelly Hodgson, United Cycle operations manager.
Ticketmaster shows hundreds of tickets still available for several matches.
"There's a lot of things working against the tournament right now, whereas usually it's sold out and very successful financially," said Dan Mason, University of Alberta sports marketing professor.
"The World Juniors are a cultural institution at Christmas time," Mason added. "They've kind of evolved over the past 30 years or so to become this thing that people get into over the holiday break with their families."
