BY PAUL MITCHELL

North Country This Week

POTSDAM – The Potsdam Chamber of Commerce is working hard not only to get the business community excited about the FISU World University Winter Games but to let the world know why Potsdam and the entire North Country is a desirable place to visit and live.

"Potsdam is so excited to be a partner in hosting the 2023 FISU World University Games. I am excited to be able to showcase all of the wonderful things our area has to offer,” said Megan Mulvenna, the Potsdam Chamber’s executive director. 

“From our unique eateries, such as our gluten free and vegan spots, to our bars, restaurants and retail stores Potsdam is an amazing place to be." 

In all, 44 men’s and women’s hockey preliminary games will be played at Clarkson University’s Cheel Arena, Maxcy Hall at SUNY Potsdam and the Roos House at SUNY Canton Jan. 11-19.

The Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games are expected to bring together 1,500 collegiate athletes, ages 17-25, from 600 universities in 50 countries to participate in Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, freestyle and freeski, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, short track speed skating, snowboarding, ski jumping and speed skating. A total of 86 events in 12 winter sports make up the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games, taking place Jan. 12-22.

"I believe this event will help put us on the map for future events. Showcasing our community will make the North Country a desirable location for other future large scale events and opportunities,” Mulvenna stated. 

Both the men and women hockey players will be housed and fed on the SUNY Potsdam campus. An unknown number of family members, officials, and volunteers are expected to be lodged in area hotels and B&Bs and hopefully will find the time to see what Potsdam has to offer.

"These games will enhance local business owners as consumers have an opportunity to browse downtown as they attend these games,” Mulvenna continued. "One benefit of these games is that regardless of the traffic on the streets, these events will showcase our community for future events." 

Mulvenna said she has been in contact for local businesses encouraging them to prepare for a big influx of people by increasing staff and inventory.

One idea, noted Mulvenna, was to have local bars and eateries offer specials after hockey games.

All the women’s hockey games will be played at Maxcy Hall. The men’s action will be split between Cheel Arena and the Roos House.

To purchase tickets or for more information about the FISU games, visit https://www.lakeplacid2023.com/

Here’s a look at the full schedule:

Women’s Hockey

Jan. 11: Great Britain-Czech Republic, 4:30 p.m., Slovakia-Canada, 8 p.m.

Jan. 12: United States-Japan, 1 p.m.

Jan. 13: Japan-Slovakia, 4:30 p.m., Czech Republic-United States, 8 p.m.

Jan. 14: Czech Republic-Canada, 4:30 p.m.; Slovakia-Great Britain, 8 p.m.

Jan. 15: Canada-Japan, 4:30 p.m.; United States-Great Britain, 8 p.m.

Jan. 16: United States-Slovakia, 4:30 p.m.; Japan-Czech Republic, 8 p.m.

Jan. 17: Canada-Great Britain, 4:30 p.m.; Slovakia-Czech Republic, 8 p.m.

Jan. 18: Japan-Great Britain, 4:30 p.m.; Canada-United States, 8 p.m.

Jan. 20: Semi-final 1, 2:35 p.m., 1980 Olympic Center, Lake Placid; semi-final 2, 8 p.m., 1980 Olympic Center, Lake Placid

Jan. 21: Bronze and gold medal games, 5 p.m., 1980 Olympic Center, Lake Placid (both games on one ticket)

Men’s Hockey

Jan. 11: Hungary-Slovakia, 1 p.m. at Cheel Arena; Japan-Latvia, 4:30 p.m., Roos House; Great Britain-United States, 8 p.m., Cheel Arena

Jan. 12: Sweden-Czech Republic, 9:30 a.m., Roos House; Ukraine-Canada, 1 p.m., Roos House; Korea-Kazahkstan, 1 p.m., Cheel Arena

Jan. 13: Kazahkstan-Hungary, 9:30 a.m., Cheel Arena; Canada-Sweden, 1 p.m., Roos House; Czech Republic-Japan, 4:30 p.m., Roos House; Slovakia-Great Britain, 8 p.m., Cheel Arena

Jan. 14: Latvia-Ukraine, 4:30 p.m., Roos House; United States-Korea, 8 p.m., Cheel Arena

Jan. 15: Canada-Japan, 9:30 a.m., Roos House; Czech Republic-Latvia, 1 p.m., Roos House; Slovakia-United States, 4:30 p.m., Cheel Arena; Kazakhstan-Great Britain, 8 p.m., Cheel Arena

Jan. 16: Korea-Hungary, 1 p.m., Maxcy Hall; Kazakhstan-Slovakia, 4:30 p.m., Cheel Arena; Ukraine-Sweden, 8 p.m., Roos House

Jan. 17: Hungary-Great Britain, 9:30 a.m., Maxcy Hall; Latvia-Canada, 1 p.m., Roos House; Sweden-Japan, 4:30 p.m., Roos House

Jan. 18: United States-Kazakhstan, 9:30 a.m., Cheel Arena; Slovakia-Korea, 1 p.m., Cheel Arena; Canada-Czech Republic, 4:30 p.m., Roos House; Japan-Ukraine, 8 p.m., Roos House

Jan. 19: United States-Hungary, 9:30 a.m., Cheel Arena; Great Britain-Korea, 1 p.m., Maxcy Hall; Latvia-Sweden, 4:30 p.m., Roos House; Czech Republic-Ukraine, 8 p.m., Roos House

Jan. 21: Semi-finals 1 and 2, 9:30 a.m., 1980 Olympic Center, Lake Placid (both games on one ticket)

Jan. 22: Bronze medal game, 11 a.m., 1980 Olympic Center, Lake Placid; gold medal game and closing ceremony, 1980 Olympic Center, Lake Placid