The Town of Penhold is set to host some of the best young hockey players in the world later this week.
The town will be creating a festival-like atmosphere at the Penhold Multiplex, ahead of the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup pre-tournament game between Switzerland and Germany on Friday. Puck drop for the game is 6 p.m., with tickets costing just $15 or $50 for a family pack of four tickets.
There will also be a tailgate party starting at 4:30 p.m., with country music’s Cole Martin performing, food vendors and face painting. The tailgate will cost $10 per vehicle.
Penhold Multiplex seats just under 500 and there are still tickets available, said Mayor Mike Yargeau.
The town last hosted Sweden and Finland in the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and it went over well.
“It was a big hit. A lot of people in town really enjoyed it,” he said. “It was really good hockey.”
That year, four of Sweden’s young players would later be drafted into the NHL.
“You’re getting some really good hockey players coming to this event.”
To get tickets to Penhold’s game, go to Evenbrite or find links on the town’s website and Facebook page.
Red Deer will host three other pre-tournament games Friday at the Peavey Mart Centrium, with Team U.S.A. taking on Slovakia at 11 a.m., Sweden vs. Czechia at 3 p.m. and Canada vs. Finland at 7 p.m.
The main draw of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup gets underway on July 31 in Red Deer.
To get tickets go to TicketsAlberta.