CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada and the Western Centre of Excellence, in cooperation with the Calgary Flames, and Hockey Alberta, will be hosting over 300 hockey coaches at the 2004 International Coaches Conference from July 1-4, 2004 in Calgary, AB.

The conference, which will be located at the Westin Hotel, will bring together minor, junior and professional hockey coaches from all over the world. Coaches attending represent all levels and age groups of hockey, and will share modern training and instructional techniques through workshops and presentations featuring some of the brightest hockey minds in the world.

The list of presenters represents the 'who's who of hockey':

• Pat Quinn (Head Coach - Toronto Maple Leafs, Head Coach – Canada’s 2004 World Cup Team)
• Jacques Martin (Head Coach - Florida Panthers, Associate Coach - Canada’s 2004 World Cup Team)
• Ken Hitchcock (Head Coach - Philadelphia Flyers, Associate Coach - Canada’s 2004 World Cup Team)
• Wayne Fleming (Assistant Coach - Philadelphia Flyers, Associate Coach - Canada’s 2004 World Cup Team)
• Mike Babcock (Head Coach - Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Head Coach – Canada’s 2004 gold medal Men’s World Team)
• Andy Murray (Head Coach - Los Angeles Kings, Head Coach – Canada’s ’97 & ‘03 gold medal Men’s World Team)
• Barry Trotz (Head Coach – Nashville Predators, Assistant Coach - Canada’s 2003 gold medal Men’s World Team)
• Mike Johnston (Assistant Coach - Vancouver Canucks – Head Coach and GM of Canada’s ’98-’99 Men’s Program)

Other speakers include: John Furlong - President and CEO of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Committee, Mike Eaves – Head Coach University of Wisconsin and the Head Coach of the 2004 gold medal winning US Junior Team, Gary Green – Head Coach of Canada’s National Men’s Team 2003 Spengler and Swiss Cups, Stan Butler – Head Coach of the OHL’s Brampton Battalion, Erkka Westerlund - Assistant Coach Finnish National Team, Tommy Boustedt – Director of Development for Swedish Ice Hockey and Head Coach of the Swedish National Team in 19, and Dr. Stephen Norris - applied Physiologist in human performance.

"We're very excited about the presenters that have committed to speak at this year’s International Coaches Conference," said Johnny Misley, VP of Hockey Operations for Hockey Canada. "This is an amazing opportunity for coaches of all levels to expand their knowledge, share their experiences, and to learn from some of the greatest coaches in hockey."

Of the 300 coaches that will be participating, there will be representatives from over 14 different countries, including non-traditional hockey markets like Japan and Scotland. For the first time ever at an ICC, select presentations will be available live via webcast. For more information please visit www.coachesclub.net

Many National Hockey League coaches will be attending as delegates, including former Calgary Flames coaches Don Hay, Greg Gilbert, and Brad McCrimmon. All CHL teams are also sending at least one representative off of their coaching staff to be in attendance at the conference.

This will be the 9th International Coaching Conference Canada has hosted. Calgary hosted the first four in 1989, 1990, 19. Toronto hosted the Conference in 1996, Saint John, NB served as host in 1998, Vancouver, BC in 2000, and Montreal, QC in 2002.

"The response from hockey coaches all over the world has been tremendous," said Marty Savoy, Manager, Western Centre of Excellence and Event Manager of the 2004 ICC. "This year's conference has generated overwhelming interest amongst the coaching community, and I know that everyone involved will be better prepared for the upcoming season after attending the ICC here in Calgary."

Most guest speakers will be available to the media on Friday, July 2 at 4pm in the Westin Hotel lecture room.