Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/721779
Page 48 It's our Time It's our Time BuSiNESS plaN player eXperience Winnipeg participants at the IIHF World Junior Championship will be welcomed into one of the world's most passionate and knowledgeable hockey cities in Winnipeg. players will play in the state-of-the-art MTS Centre, home to the NHl's Winnipeg Jets and AHl's Manitoba Moose. Winnipeg is home to a fan base which has sold out every Jets game since the team returned to Winnipeg in 2011. The MTS Centre features excellent locker room facilities for all teams that would match any arena in the world. players would stay in top-end hotels, mostly all located within two blocks of MTS Centre, which is attached to the Winnipeg walkway system linking businesses, restaurants and services to the MTS Centre. players will get a true NHl feel at all games in Winnipeg. The Jets and Moose practice facility, the MTS Iceplex is 25 minutes west of downtown and features four ice pads and has enough space and locker rooms for all teams comfortably. Saskatoon The comfort and security of our teams and our athletes is of the utmost importance. We want to ensure their every need is taken care of, so they can focus on what they came to Winnipeg and Saskatoon to do – win a world championship. Each team will be provided with at least one Team Host. The Team Host will be the team's liaison between the host committee and the teams. All transportation, meals and events for the teams will be coordinated by the host committee and shared with the Team Host. We will ensure that the players aren't worried about getting from point A to point B, and that their focus is on the tournament. Saskatoon will commit to the level of hospitality we have become famous for around the world. An information package about Saskatoon will be distributed to each of the participating teams several weeks before the competition, so teams know what to expect when they arrive in our city. Teams will be met at the airport by our volunteers, greeting them in their official language and welcoming them to Canada and the World Junior Hockey Championship. Each team will have dedicated motor coach transportation and equipment vans. We will ensure that players are comfortable and that their every need is taken care of. At the same time, we want the players and their families to have fun and to have the opportunity to experience a new city and culture. Events that allow the teams to interact with their fans will take place at the Family Fan Fest and World Fest Saskatoon. local tours will be set up when the teams have some downtime, so they have the chance to experience the city of Saskatoon and the province of Saskatchewan. iihF – hockey canaDa eXperience Winnipeg Winnipeg last hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship in 1999. Since then Winnipeg has successfully hosted the IIHF Women's World Championship and the World under-17 Challenge, both to record-breaking crowds. Winnipeg has proven itself as a great tournament host to not only hockey events but other major competitions with the 2015 Women's World Cup of Soccer and the city is getting set to host the 2017 Canada Summer Games. Team Canada players will be very comfortable in the Winnipeg Jets' locker room, equipped with many amenities such as a player lounge, dry-change area, video room, workout gym, medical and equipment facilities and coaches conference room. players' families will have plenty to do in Winnipeg such as visiting The Forks National Historic Site, Canadian Museum for Human Rights or Thermëa Spa. Saskatoon Saskatoon will work with Hockey Canada and the IIHF to ensure they are well taken care of throughout the tournament. As they arrive at the airport, they'll be greeted by friendly volunteers. A welcome gift that reflects the Canadian prairies and the city of Saskatoon will be waiting for them when they check into their hotel, courtesy of Saskatoon Sports Tourism. Dinners, galas, social events and World Fest Saskatoon – the tournament in our city will be a non-stop celebration of junior hockey. We understand the role each of these organizations play in presenting this tournament and Saskatoon will ensure each are provided with the support they require. The Host Committee Executive will work closely with each organization to deliver the type of hockey experience we can all be proud of.