Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced the schedule for the 2010 World Junior A Challenge on Thursday.
The puck drops for the tournament Nov. 8-14 at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton.
Canada West faces-off against Switzerland on Monday, November 8 in the opening game. The Swiss are making their World Junior A debut in 2010 as part of Group B which Russia and Canada West are a part of.
Canada East will play on Tuesday, November 9 against Sweden and is placed in Group A with reigning two-time gold medalists the United States.
The tournament hosts the best junior players in hockey and began in 2006. Its purpose is showcasing young hockey talent to scouts of the Canadian Hockey League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Hockey League.
Players also experience the world stage and international competition, preparing them for future hockey success.
The 2006 inaugural tournament in Yorkton, Saskatchewan saw an all-Canadian showdown between Canada West and Canada East.
Canada West captured the title winning 4-3, led by Kyle Turris. Turris, a native of New Westminster, was later drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes and currently plays for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.
The West would win the following year, in 2007, as well beating the East again 4-1 in the finals.
The tides turned in 2008 and 2009 with the United States stealing gold from Canada West.
The United States pummeled Canada West 7-1 in 2008 in Camrose, Alberta and did it again in 2009 beating Canada West 5-2 in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.
The 2010 tournament should be another exciting showdown between the world's best young hockey prospects.
The United States looks to collect a set of three gold medals, while Canada tries to regain junior hockey dominance.
The rest of the world will attempt to dethrown both hockey superpowers and name a new junior hockey champion this November.
