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After consulting with the relevant authorities from the government of Canada and the province of Alberta and in agreement with partners, Hockey Canada has decided to cancel this year´s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which was to take place with the participation of teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Canada, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA from 3–8 August, 2020 in Edmonton and Red Deer.
“The health and safety of players, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers and the general public is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada,” the association said in a press statement. “Although this was a difficult decision to make, we believe it is in the best interest of everyone involved given the uncertainty at this time.”
Hockey Canada, Czech Ice Hockey and Hockey Slovakia have also agreed that in 2021 the tournament will take place – as planned – in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and in 2022 in Canada.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup follows on from the World or Pacific Cup, which has been held since 1991. It has been held in the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 1997, and since 2004 it has been named after legendary player and coach Ivan Hlinka. In 2018, the name of Wayne Gretzky was added to the name of the tournament, while with effect from 2022, the Czech Republic will alternate with Slovakia and Canada. The most frequent winner of the tournament is Canada with 22 titles, followed by Russia with four and one each by the Czech Republic, Sweden and the USA.