BUFFALO, N.Y. – USA Hockey revealed today the special jersey the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team will wear in the first-ever outdoor game of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship on Dec. 29, 2017, at the Buffalo Bills’ New Era Field against Canada. In addition, organizers of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship revealed two new ticket package options that will go on sale to the general public on June 23.
The announcements came at a press conference in the pavillion of KeyBank Center in Buffalo here this morning in conjunction with an official IIHF advance site visit.
The jersey utilizes large numbers on the front and back, similar to that of an NFL jersey. It also includes the event logo on the crest of the neckline on the front of the jersey and the USA national team logo just above the player nameplate on the back of the jersey.
The main color of the jersey is the same blue utilized by the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. The special jersey is expected to be available for purchase this fall and fans wishing to pre-order can do so at BuffaloWorldJuniors.com.
“This jersey will be worn just once for a very historic occasion,” said Mike Bertsch, assistant executive director of marketing, communications and events for USA Hockey. “We’re obviously excited to host the first-ever outdoor game played in the World Juniors and this jersey will help add to the overall significance and fanfare of the game.”
Two new ticket packages — including 8 and 12-game options — will go on sale to the general public on June 23 at 10 a.m. ET. The customizable mini-packages will start at just $400 and provide fans the flexibility to choose the games they want to attend based on their schedules, inclusive of marquee games like the gold-medal and outdoor games. USA Hockey members and season ticket holders of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills, along with My One Buffalo members will receive a pre-sale advance window of 24 hours, beginning at 10 a.m. ET on June 22.
The 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship will be played in Buffalo from Dec. 26, 2017-Jan. 5, 2018. All ticket information is available at BuffaloWorldJuniors.com.
Hannes Ederer, deputy general secretary of the IIHF and Christian Hofstetter, IIHF marketing and communications director, arrived in Buffalo Monday (June 12) afternoon for a day-and-a-half of oversight meetings, including touring hotels that will be used for the event. They also reviewed the layout and infrastructure for all three venues that will be utilized, including KeyBank Center, HarborCenter and New Era Field.
“We’re excited to return to Buffalo,” said Ederer, who is the event director for the IIHF. “Much has changed since we were here for the World Juniors in 2011. It’s quite remarkable. This is hockey country and we know it will be a terrific championship for the players and fans involved.”
NOTES: The U.S. is hosting the IIHF World Junior Championship for the fifth time and second in Buffalo. Other U.S.-hosted World Juniors have included Minneapolis/St. Paul (1982), Anchorage, Alaska (1989), Boston (1996), Grand Forks, North Dakota/Thief River Falls, Minnesota (2005), Buffalo, New York (2011) … The U.S. will enter the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship as the defending gold medalist … NHL Network is the official home of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in the United States.
