Media Releases

Team Finland to train in Amherst prior to IIHF Women’s World Championship

The Town of Amherst is ready to welcome the world.

In partnership with Hockey Canada, the Town of Amherst will be hosting the Finnish national women’s hockey team’s pre-tournament training camp as they prepare for the 2020 IIHF Women’s World Championship, which is being held in Halifax and Truro between March 31, 2020, and April 10, 2020.

“We are excited to host Team Finland and we welcome them to the Town of Amherst as they prepare for the world championships,” Mayor David Kogon said. “These players are among the best in the world and we are honoured to have them in our community.”

Noting the growth and increasing popularity of female hockey, Kogon said he hoped local residents would take every opportunity to watch the Team Finland pre-tournament practices, which are open to the public.

“I’m sure if they do, they will be inspired by the teamwork, fitness and dedication displayed by Team Finland as they pursue their goal of being world champions. Who knows watching them may influence youth and adults alike to become more active and motivate them to be the best they can be as hockey players, athletes in other sports and citizens.”

The mayor pointed out the town has hosted other international teams in previous years.

“We have shown in the past that we are capable of hosting world-class events. The hosting of Team Finland’s pre-tournament training camp shows that we continue to have that capability and we will look forward to hosting more well into the future,” Kogon said.

Team Finland will arrive in town in late March. Their practice schedule is below:

TEAM FINLAND PRE-TOURNAMENT TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE

Date	Time	Activity	Location
Tuesday, March 24	5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.	On Ice Practice	Amherst Stadium
Wednesday, March 25	10 a.m. to 11 a.m. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.	On Ice Practice On Ice Practice	Amherst Stadium Amherst Stadium
Thursday, March. 26	11 a.m. to 12 p.m.	On Ice Practice	Amherst Stadium
Friday, March. 27	10 a.m. to 11 a.m.	On Ice Practice	Amherst Stadium

Team Finland’s hockey program is one of the best in the world. Their recent success on the world stage has put them in the same conversation with U.S.A. and Canada. They are currently ranked third in the world.

The team has made 19 appearances at the IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championships, collecting medals in 13 of those years. Their highest medal came in 2019 when they captured a silver medal.

They have attended the Olympic Games six times, dating back to 1998. They captured bronze medals in 1998, 2010 and 2018.