The 2016 IIHF U20 Ice Hockey World Championship will take place from December 11th - 17th, 2016 in Bremerhaven. This was decided today at the IIHF Congress in Moscow. The German port city prevailed against its competitor Almati (Kazakhstan) with 19 votes to six.
DEBGeneral Secretary Michael Pfuhl congratulated Seestadt immediately after the vote: “We are happy that we can play such a top-class tournament in our own country. Congratulations also to the hosts, who, with their commitment and perfectly prepared application, actually gave the voters no other choice than Bremerhaven. We are sure that the World Cup will be in good hands in the north.”
Federal Young talent trainer Christian Künast is also pleased with the outcome of the award: “It’s great for us that we can host the World Cup in Germany. Playing in front of a home crowd is something very special in any sport and can provide an extra boost of motivation in pressure situations.”
Germany will fight for promotion to the top division of the U20 age group in the Seestadt with Austria, Kazakhstan, Norway, Belarus and France. A circumstance that Mayor Melf Grantz also welcomes: “This is excellent news for Bremerhaven and clearly shows how important top-class sport is for the lakeside city. The qualities of Bremerhaven as an ice hockey location are internationally recognized. The IIHF's decision to host the U20 World Championships in Seestadt is the best proof of this. I congratulate them Fischtown Pinguins to this success and am looking forward to the exciting ice hockey games during the World Cup in December.”
The Fischtown Pinguins also see the award for the World Cup as an opportunity to bring the entire Bremerhaven ice hockey location into the public eye. Alfred Prey, team manager Fischtown Pinguins: “This event needs everyone’s support, and the emphasis here is on everyone who identifies with ice hockey in our city.”