My Awesome Experience As A World Junior Hockey Championship Volunteer
I recently finished up my second opportunity to volunteer for the World Junior Hockey Championship, and it was awesome!
For those unfamiliar, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and Hockey Canada put on an annual tournament to showcase the future international hockey stars. It takes place every year from December 26 to January 5 with the location alternating between Canadian and international venues.
Players must be under 20 years of age to be eligible for the World Junior Hockey Championship. Most players are in their draft year or have recently been drafted into pro-hockey. There are even a few players currently playing for an NHL team who have been given permission to play in the tournament.
To be honest, the NHL players who are given release from their NHL teams are not yet top players … those guys don’t get released as they’re too important to their NHL teams (see Connor McDavid who was still eligible to play for Canada in this year’s tournament, but is already proving to be one of the NHL’s elite players, thus Edmonton did not release him to play).
Tournament Format
The top 10 countries in the hockey world are invited to the World Junior Hockey Championship, and are split into 2 groups. This year’s alignment was as follows:
Group A included Canada, USA, Russia, Slovakia, and Latvia
Group B included Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Denmark
Both in 2015 and this year the tournament was split between 2 of Canada’s largest (and most hockey-mad) cities: Toronto and Montreal (that year Germany had made the tournament in place of Latvia).
The 2017 agreement was that Group A (which included Team Canada) would play their preliminary round in Toronto while Group B would play in Montreal. The quarter-finals would be held in both cities, then the semi-finals and medal games would be held in Montreal.
This format was also done in 2015, but in reverse (with Toronto hosting the medal games).
What Was I Doing?
Both in 2015 and this year I was a World Junior Hockey Championship driver, though with slight differences.
Last tournament my main role consisted of shuttling VIPs around Toronto. This included referees, linesmen, and members of the IIHF or Hockey Canada. Most of these trips were done between airports, hotels and arenas. Close to the end of the tournament I was recruited to aid in driving cube trucks to transport team equipment for practices, games, and flights.
This year I was dedicated solely to the cube truck role, which ended up providing me a lot more access to the arena, games, and teams … some really incredible behind-the-scenes action!
It Begins Well Before The Puck Drops
As a driver, our job starts well before the World Junior Championship starts. I started getting calls in mid-December to help pickup officials from the airport and take them to their hotel, or to meet up with one of the teams to make sure their equipment was waiting for them at the right arena for an upcoming exhibition game.
In 2015 a select few of us even got the opportunity to spend a day with Team Canada players and coaches as their drivers for an “Amazing Race”-style team-building exercise around the Niagara Falls area … what a HUGE highlight for any travelpreneur!
Game Time!
As expected, our busiest times were any days that required travel. I definitely got used to finding the quickest routes between arenas, hotels and airports at all times of the day!
There were 3 times that required the action for us drivers.
1. Coordinating team arrivals pre-tournament
2. Shuttling teams to/from charter flights between Toronto and Montreal for elimination round games
3. Coordinating team departures after the tournament
Outside of these super-busy times, we were mostly on-call and working with VIPs. While games were being played we usually had some downtime. This allowed us to create some quick and lasting friendships, and even watch some of the games live.
After The Tournament
After the curtain comes down on the gold medal game and the media and officials have all gone home, that’s when the final whirlwind begins.
Both years I had the privilege of transporting teams to the airport, players and coaches still brimming with excitement! it was great speaking the common language of hockey with people from Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Denmark, and Czech Republic.
Dealing with these future stars of pro-hockey was a lot of fun. Seeing the difference between the top teams (like Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden) and the lower ranked teams (like Switzerland, Denmark and Germany) travel and prepare for games was very interesting. Top teams tend to travel heavier and want lots of practice time, while lower-ranked teams travel with one necessities and seem more likely to give up some scheduled practices.
Both tournaments are capped with a volunteer party held at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Food, drink, and access to all exhibits … what more could a hockey fan ask for??
So, after 2 years of the World Junior Hockey Championship, would I give up another week between Christmas and New Years to volunteer?
Interestingly, next year’s tournament is taking place in Buffalo, New York. It just happens to be a short drive away, and I have family who live in the area … and yes, I’ve already registered to receive notices when the call for volunteers begins!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at a world-class hockey tournament.
Please comment below and let me know if you’ve had experience with international sports, or any other volunteer opportunities. I’m always on the lookout for new travelpreneur experiences both at home and abroad!
Resources
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Was this valuable for you? If so I’d really appreciate your comments below and shares on social media.
Thanks for sharing that with us Bruce… great stuff
Thanks Ron, glad you dropped by!
Wow, how exciting! It’s always great to see what happens behind the scenes, which most of us are not privy to. Thanks for sharing Bruce!
Thanks Demetri, I had a bunch of people asking me how it was going, so decided to post about it!
Bruce Schinkel recently posted…My Awesome Experience As A World Junior Hockey Championship Volunteer
You look like you totally have a blast! Lucky you and great for you to be enjoying while volunteering! 🙂
It was a really great experience Keren. Can’t wait for the next one!
I bet it was a lot of fun. Both my kids played college basketball. Watching them in big tournaments was so exciting.
Tournaments are so much fun to attend, I couldn’t wait to see an international one like this!
I believe that you get a lot of personal satisfaction when you do volunteer work of any kind. Congratulations to you for doing it.
You’re so right Roy! After my first volunteer activity I was hooked.
Great Post!! Sounded very exciting. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Gary … it really was a fun experience!
I was thrilled when I saw you have this opportunity. The videos you posted we awesome the behind the scenes things like the Russian dressing room and how big it actually is and all the equipment.
It was so much fun Mike … hopefully the tournament will make it’s way to Winnipeg soon so you have the opportunity too!
Very interesting and exciting! Thanks for sharing your experience!
You’re very welcome Chondra; it was an awesome experience!
Thanks for giving us a sneak peek at what happens behind the scenes at these events. Love hockey!
Dr. Lisa
We definitely share that love of hockey in common Dr. Lisa! Now I’m going to see if i can volunteer again next year when the tournament is held in Buffalo, NY
That looks like a fun experience, Bruce! thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Brian! It really was a fun time
This is a rather unique experience that I didn’t know was possible! I have a friend who is a huge hockey fanatic so I sent him this post to see if he’s ever thought of volunteering. Hockey is always a spot I enjoy watching because it’s so fast paced. 🙂
That’s so great, I hope your friend finds a tournament nearby. It really was a great experience … in fact I’m considering travelling to do it again!
We are very happy to have read this post. It is so inspiring. We haven’t tried something like this before but we’d like, such a great action. Thank you for sharing this with us 🙂
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You’re very welcome! I find volunteering is a great way to get closer to things that matter to you and really immerse yourself in it.
I’ve been to Canada twice but NEVER TO A HOCKEY GAME, WHICH IS UPSETTING. Have to rectify that next time. It’s nice to see what goes on behind the scenes of this tournament!
LC recently posted…Chasing Ghosts at Maitland Gaol, Australia
Never to a hockey game?? We’ll need to fix that on your next visit!
I haven’t volunteered in any sports event however, we went to Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and just being in such a cheerful event boosts your energy and emotions! Thanks for sharing
I’m sure that was an amazing experience too! Haven’t done the Olympics yet, but it’s definitely on my list
Ice Hockey looks like a great thing to volunteer for. I lived in Canada for 15 months and never made it to an Ice Hockey game (can you believe it?). Thanks for sharing your experience.
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I grew up around the game, so I definitely loved the experience behind the scenes! Hopefully when you come back we’ll get you to a game
I am delighted that this was about ‘ice’ hockey rather than the rather dull ‘field’ hockey! What a great way to get to see some top hockey.- it must have been a fun experience. I was supposed to visit Canada with a view to going to a hockey match in 2000 but it didn’t happen. Then when I was in Edmonton in 2015 it was out of season! One day!!!!
Yes, you’ll definitely have to get to a game next time! It really was a lot of fun, especially interacting with the players and coaches.
what an experience. sounds fun. I’ve never been a volunteer for any kind of sport but I would love to try it.
It’s really a great time! I had my first experience at this event in 2015 and loved it so much I’ve done 3 more since then!
Ahhh I absolutely LOVE hockey! I’m gutted the NHL isn;t aired in the UK! Love catching up with the maple leafs scores and watching our local teams!
That’s amazing Amber! We’ll have to take you out to a game next time your over this way 🙂
Sounds like a great experience you’ve had there, good for you. On the other hand, it’s always interesting to volunteer, isn’t it? It give you such different perspective. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
It really is an interesting experience. Such different perspectives than attending events, and the chance to help others is always amazing!
This sounds like such a cool experience! Must be so interesting to be able to talk to others who are as passionate about something as you are, even if you are from different countries!
It really was an interesting experience speaking the same “language” of travel and hockey!
Great experience there, nice post! congrats 😀
Thanks so much! It really was an amazing experience that’d i’d recommend to every hockey fan
How exciting, I love hockey. Thank you for posting about your experience.
You’re very welcome Fatema! So glad you enjoyed 🙂
Wow! You got a trophy! Congratulations!
Thanks Kevin .. if only I got to keep it lol
Awesome! I have travelled plenty for hockey including 3 Winter Olympics but have never thought of volunteering. If you ever want to collaborate on something let me know!
Shaun
http://www.thislifeintrips.com
That’s amazing Shaun! Yes, let’s definitely get connected 🙂
Wow, this is really awesome your experience as a world junior hockey championship volunteer.
Thanks so much! It was so much fun, it actually spring-boarded into many other sports volunteering roles since then
Congrats on what sounds like an awesome experience! I really got into the NHL this year since my Blue Jackets played so well and I attended my first two playoff games which were a blast! Glad to hear you got so much out of volunteering for this!
Thanks so much Scott! Congrats on your first playoff games, that’s definitely super exciting hockey!