In August 1949, Pickard announced that the Edmonton Mercurys would represent Canada at the 1950 Ice Hockey World Championships in England. He conceded that Edmonton was not the strongest choice since it played at the intermediate level of senior hockey, but amateur requirements made it difficult to send a top flight team to the Ice Hockey World Championships. The CAHA scheduled a three-month European tour for the team and committed to finding the best available players as reinforcements. Edmonton regained the World Championships title for Canada without losing a game, and avoided further disappointment after the second-place finish at the 1949 Ice Hockey World Championships.