Hockey Canada announced that Kamloops will host the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship, bringing the event to British Columbia for the first time in its 26-year history.

All 22 games at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship will be hosted in Kamloops, with games being played at the Interior Savings Centre and McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre in April 2016, with more details to be announced at a later date.

Kamloops had previously bid to host the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship, which was ultimately hosted in Ottawa. For the 2016 event, Kamloops was one of two Canadian cities that made it to the final stage of the bid process and were ultimately selected as host by the Hockey Canada site selection committee, which consisted of Terry Ledingham (director), Mike Ross (chief business officer) and Scott Smith (chief operating officer).

Following a six-month process, the site selection committee recommended Kamloops as host of the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship to the Hockey Canada Board of Directors, which has approved that recommendation.

“As a B.C. native, I could not be more excited to have the IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship come to the province for the first time,” said Tom Renney, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “I have had the honour of coaching in Kamloops, I know the passion the city has for hockey, and I am sure it will be a first-class event on and off the ice that will grow the sport and provide young aspiring female hockey players with a chance to watch the best in the world.”