EPISODE · Dec 3, 2025 · 27 MIN
Ep. 125: The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship Comes to Minnesota!
from So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast · host Mall of America®
Today on So Much More, we’re celebrating one of the biggest global sports moments headed straight for Minnesota: the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship! This high-octane tournament brings together the world’s best U20 hockey players for an electrifying, fast-paced competition that fans across the globe circle on their calendars. We’re thrilled to welcome two of the powerhouse leaders behind bringing this international event to the Twin Cities: Wendy Blackshaw, President & CEO of Minnesota Sports & Events, and Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, President and CEO of Visit Saint Paul. We explore everything from the fan experience to community impact, from the behind-the-scenes planning to what international visitors can expect when they experience Minneapolis–Saint Paul in the winter. Whether you’re a lifelong hockey fan or new to World Juniors, this episode is packed with insight, energy, and hometown pride. 1:00 Why the World Juniors is coming to Minnesota – The State of Hockey 4:00 The history of World Juniors and the connection to Minnesota 5:15 The lessons Minnesota learned from Sweden and Canada as host countries 8:30 Preparing to welcome international amateur hockey players + fans 9:15 World Juniors HQ store is open at Mall of America 10:00 Bold North Breakaway and Fan Fest in St. Paul; and more family fun 12:45 Exhibition Series brings the World Juniors to cities across Minnesota 14:30 Community initiatives (Assist 26) are critical to the mission of MN Sports + Events 15:50 Volunteers help make large-scale events like this happen 20:00 How to find tickets, volunteer and enjoy the festivities 22:00 A trivia contest about World Junior Championships For more Info: www.mnsportsandevents.org or www.worldjuniorsmn26.com Guests: Wendy Blackshaw, President & CEO of Minnesota Sports & Events, and Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, President and CEO of Visit Saint Paul Your hosts: Jill Renslow Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.
What this episode covers
Today on So Much More, we’re celebrating one of the biggest global sports moments headed straight for Minnesota: the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship! This high-octane tournament brings together the world’s best U20 hockey players for an electrifying, fast-paced competition that fans across the globe circle on their calendars. We’re thrilled to welcome two of the powerhouse leaders behind bringing this international event to the Twin Cities: Wendy Blackshaw, President & CEO of Minnesota Sports & Events, and Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, President and CEO of Visit Saint Paul. We explore everything from the fan experience to community impact, from the behind-the-scenes planning to what international visitors can expect when they experience Minneapolis–Saint Paul in the winter. Whether you’re a lifelong hockey fan or new to World Juniors, this episode is packed with insight, energy, and hometown pride. 1:00 Why the World Juniors is coming to Minnesota – The State of Hockey 4:00 The history of World Juniors and the connection to Minnesota 5:15 The lessons Minnesota learned from Sweden and Canada as host countries 8:30 Preparing to welcome international amateur hockey players + fans 9:15 World Juniors HQ store is open at Mall of America 10:00 Bold North Breakaway and Fan Fest in St. Paul; and more family fun 12:45 Exhibition Series brings the World Juniors to cities across Minnesota 14:30 Community initiatives (Assist 26) are critical to the mission of MN Sports + Events 15:50 Volunteers help make large-scale events like this happen 20:00 How to find tickets, volunteer and enjoy the festivities 22:00 A trivia contest about World Junior Championships For more Info: www.mnsportsandevents.org or www.worldjuniorsmn26.com Guests: Wendy Blackshaw, President & CEO of Minnesota Sports & Events, and Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, President and CEO of Visit Saint Paul Your hosts: Jill Renslow Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.
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Ep. 125: The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship Comes to Minnesota!
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