Detroit is in talks to host the 2018 World Junior Championships, reports USA Today’s Kevin Allen.
The Red Wings will have a brand-new arena by 2018 and restaurants, hotels and stores will surround it. Detroit representatives are visiting Colorado Springs to speak with USA Hockey officials about their interest in the event.
The second rink they plan to use is in Plymouth, Mich. — 25 miles away from Detroit — at the Compuware Arena, home to the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers. Compuware Arena’s capacity is just over 3,000.
So, what does this have to do with Chicago? The Blackhawks could present a bid as well.
The United Center would be the primary arena, fresh off hosting the 2017 Frozen Four, with Johnny’s IceHouse being used as the practice facility. A secondary rink? Try the Allstate Arena (18,500) in Rosemont, home of the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves, or the Kohl Center in Madison (15,000), home of the Wisconsin Badgers, or the brand-new Compton Family Ice Arena (5,000) at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
Both the Kohl Center and Compton Arena have practice facilities attached to the main rank and have a larger capacity compared to the Plymouth arena.
Detroit may have a strong bid for the Championships, but Chicago’s is just a little better, if the city wants it.
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