Well I think because in 1994 you have all kinds of venues that are not normally major sports venues and logistics etc.
U-20 thing was a huger crowd not normally fitting into RAP.
This coming set of hockey games is just the same as a set of sold out Royals games, apart from more media and TV.
Quite frankly I don’t see how the economic impact is much higher than a set of two sold out Elton John concerts here. Taxpayers did not kick in $220,000 for those.
The WJs is a massive revenue source for Hockey Canada, a private for-profit organization.
For one, Hockey Canada is a registered not-for-profit. They don't have shareholders they're paying out.
This tournament is not the same as some sold out Royals games. First, the Royals don't play two games a day for six straight days. A regular Royals game doesn't require practice venues for 5 teams in the lead up and on off days. It doesn't require unique transportation services for teams, officials, and dignitaries. It doesn't generally require a dedicated fan zone such as what is being planned here. It doesn't require the handling of the world's hockey media and all that comes with that. It doesn't require far more intensive pre- and post-game ceremonies. Shall I go on?
You're focused on game operations, which is pretty cut and dry (like a Royals game on steroids maybe). What you're not considering is that events like this are generally far more intensive in the stuff outside of the games themselves.
You're right, the World Juniors are a massive source of revenue for them, but if you're saying this event doesn't need volunteers, you couldn't be more wrong.