CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada Week is a national celebration of the game of hockey, taking place November 4-12, 2006 at the national, provincial and local levels across Canada. This annual celebration begins the hockey season across Canada and promotes the positive values of hockey and the work done by over four million volunteers involved in Canadian minor hockey each and every year.

Hockey Canada Week is in its fourth year, and is a Hockey Canada initiative, with the participation of its 13 member Branches, minor hockey associations across Canada and numerous community and corporate partners. In addition to the Hockey Canada Week activities listed below there will be Hockey Canada Skills Camps nationwide and Hockey Canada is hosting two international events: The World Junior A Challenge (Yorkton/Humboldt, Saskatchewan - Nov. 6-12) and the 4 Nations Cup (Kitchener, Ontario - Nov. 7-11). Canada’s National Men’s Team will be participating in two events in Europe during Hockey Canada Week: the Swiss Challenge in Zurich, Switzerland on November 7, and the Deutschland Cup in Hannover, Germany from November 9-12.

Featured initiatives across Canada during Hockey Canada Week, November 4-12, 2006:

· National Hockey Parents Day (November 4) - Hockey Canada invites minor hockey associations across Canada to conduct parent seminars designed to help parents assist in making the game safe and fun. Hockey Canada invites teams and associations to visit the Hockey Canada Web site at www.hockeycanada.ca to learn about available parent seminar resources and other activities to celebrate parents in the game. As part of this celebration Hockey Canada is teaming up with GM Canada and the Chevrolet Safe and Fun Hockey program to introduce the new parent pin that will reflect respect and responsibility in the game. The pin will be distributed at Chevrolet Safe and Fun jamborees and festivals and is something parents can wear proudly to reflect their belief in the positive values and philosophies of the game. Hockey Canada realizes the importance of parents in the game and continues to work with programs such as the Chevrolet Safe and Fun Hockey Program to create strong partnerships with the great parents who support their kids through their involvement in hockey. Go to www.safeandfunhockey.ca for more information.

· The ITECH Team Canada Design-A-Mask contest - Hockey Canada and ITECH are asking children from across the country to design an original patriotic mask that will be worn by Team Canada’s goalies at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden beginning December 26. Numerous entries were received for the 2005 contest, and organizers are expecting even more designs this year. Go to www.hockeycanada.ca or www.itech.com for information and to enter your design. The deadline to get your entries in is November 10.

· Hockey Canada’s “Minor Hockey Association of the Year” Contest - Hockey Canada is taking the “Minor Hockey Association of the Year” contest into its second season. Criteria for this contest includes association growth, community involvement, and overcoming obstacles, as well as the number and variety of programs implemented for its members. The winning Minor Hockey Association will receive Easton products, hockey resource material for coaches and officials, a banner and plaque to display within the Minor Hockey Association. The contest ends .

· Domino’s Skills Challenge Launch (November 10) - As part of the Domino's Skill Standards and Testing Program, Hockey Canada has partnered with Domino’s Pizza to develop the ‘Domino’s Skills Challenge’ to be hosted across Canada during development, domestic and international events. The official launch of the event will take place in Kitchener, ON during the 4 Nations Cup on Nov. 10.

· The Future Team Canada Program - The Wayne Gretzky Foundation, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey Foundation and Hockey Canada, is pleased to announce the return of the "Future Team Canada" program. This program, now in its third year, rewards and recognizes thirteen minor hockey teams in Canada for the amount of heart they show rather than the amount of games they win. To date over 400 deserving young players from across Canada have been selected as beneficiaries of this unique and important program.

· Hockey Alberta Atom 4 on 4 Hockey Festival (November 4-5) - This event provides an opportunity for Atom-aged hockey players to play in an organized shinny hockey festival. Hockey Alberta utilizes this event to provide the host minor hockey association with various tools and information in order to provide its young hockey players with a positive experience. At the event, a Hockey Canada Skills Manual is provided to coaches to benefit their program. More information at www.hockey-alberta.ca.

· Hockey Nova Scotia’s Hockey Development Weekend Festival (November 11-12) - Various minor hockey associations across Nova Scotia will be holding Festivals including: Hockey Canada Skills Camps for all levels, Female Skills First Clinics, Esso Fun Day and Hockey Canada Initiation Program Jamborees, Chevrolet Safe and Fun Programs, goaltending clinics and much more. Go to www.hockeynovascotia.ca for details.