A hunt is underway to find a host for the final Para-hockey qualification tournament ©Getty Images

A hunt is underway to find a willing host for the final 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Paralympic Winter Games Qualification Tournament.

The event will be one of the most important events in the build-up to the Winter Paralympics next March.

It must take place before November 20.

Czech Republic, Japan and Slovakia have already secured spots after winning medals at the World Championships B-Pool events.

Remaining teams will be decided at next month's World Championships A-Pool in the Gangneung Hockey Centre, an event doubling as a Paralympic test event.

Only the bottom two teams there will be forced to play in an additional qualifier, with all others due to progress automatically.

The Ice HockeyWorld Championships A-Pool are due to take place at the Gangneung Hockey Centre next month, an event that will double as a test event for Pyeongchang 2018 ©Getty Images
The Ice HockeyWorld Championships A-Pool are due to take place at the Gangneung Hockey Centre next month, an event that will double as a test event for Pyeongchang 2018 ©Getty Images

Defending champions United States and silver medallists Canada are due to meet Norway, Italy, Germany, South Korea and Sweden in the tournament.

"After the World Championships the Qualification Tournament is the most important event for teams as they try to secure a place at the Games," said interim World Para Ice Hockey manager Barbora Kohoutova.

"Para ice hockey experienced a watershed moment at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, attracting global media interest backed up by successful editions of the A-Pool, B-Pool and C-Pool World Championships in the intervening years.

"It is, therefore, a chance to host a high profile event which we expect to attract lots of attention."

A deadline of April 27 has been announced for bids to be launched.