Red Deer’s Servus Arena will be the venue for one exhibition and six round robin games during the world’s premier U-18 hockey tournament next August.

Hockey Canada, the Edmonton Oilers and Red Deer Rebels have partnered to co-host the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in Edmonton and Red Deer in 2018.

On Monday, Red Deer council approved a $75,000 contribution to support the group’s efforts.

Named after a Czech professional player and NHL coach, the eight-nation Ivan Hlinka tournament will be played in Canada for just the second time since its inception in 1991.

The competition provides an opportunity for NHL scouts to find prospects.

Stuart Ballantyne, Oilers Entertainment Group’s senior vice-president of operations, said the event will draw more than 50,000 fans, generate $5 million in economic impact across the province and fill 1,000 hotel room nights in Red Deer.

In addition to the exposure and sports tourism dollars, the city sees the tournament as a chance to test the 1,800-seat Servus Arena as a venue ahead of the 2019 Canada Winter Games.