Buffalo to host 2018 world juniors, beating out Pittsburgh and St. Louis

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Buffalo to host 2018 world juniors, beating out Pittsburgh and St. Louis

Stephen Whyno The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, December 3, 2015 10:43AM EST Last Updated Thursday, December 3, 2015 12:13PM EST

Team Russia forward Vladimir Tarasenko hoists the trophy after defeating Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal final in Buffalo, N.Y. on Wednesday, January 5, 2011. (Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The world junior championships will return to Buffalo in 2018.

USA Hockey will make that announcement at a news conference Friday on the 18-yard line at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Buffalo last hosted the world juniors in 2011, when Canada lost the gold-medal game to Russia.

This time Buffalo was one of three finalists along with Pittsburgh and St. Louis.

The upcoming world junior tournament takes place in Helsinki, while Toronto and Montreal will again host in 2017.

First Niagara Center, home of the Sabres, will be the primary arena for the 2018 world juniors with the newly-built Harborcenter serving as the secondary venue.

Having the announcement at the Bills' stadium has generated some speculation that an outdoor game will be part of the tournament.

Canada won the 2015 world juniors in Toronto, ending a gold-medal drought that dated to 2009.