Saskatoon and Regina are looking to bring the World Juniors back to Saskatchewan for the first time in 13 years. Both Saskatoon and Regina City Councils are set to hold special meetings Friday to discuss a joint bid to host the tournament.

2010 was the last time the World Juniors were held in Saskatchewan. Games back then were held at the Brandt Centre in Regina and at SaskTel Centre, then known as Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon.

The 2023 bid could see games played outside of the province’s two biggest centres. “This is an exciting opportunity to host the IIHF World Junior Championships throughout Saskatchewan with potential games being played in municipalities like Humboldt, Swift Current, Prince Albert, and Moose Jaw,” said a news release issued by Tourism Saskatoon and Tourism Regina.

The bid comes after Canada was tapped to host the 2023 tournament after the IIHF stripped the event from Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Saskatoon’s special City Council meeting to discuss bringing the annual tournament to Saskatchewan is slated for 8:30 Friday morning.

Saskatchewan has played host to the tournament twice with Canada winning gold in 1991 and the United States winning it all in 2010.