CALGARY, AB – The top six Midget teams in the country are set to converge on Red Deer, AB next week to compete for Canada’s 29th National Midget Hockey Championship, the TELUS Cup.

The Red Deer Optimist Rebels (Host), Vancouver North West Giants (Pacific), Prince Albert Mintos (West), Sault Ste. Marie North Stars (Central), Séminaire Saint-François Blizzard (Quebec) and St. John’s Maple Leafs (Atlantic) will take to the ice in Red Deer from April 23-29 for the right to be called national champions.

“Looking at the level of community support that this event has received, we are very excited to see the 2007 TELUS Cup get started,” said Marv Seibel, chair of the host committee. “Red Deer has a terrific Midget hockey history, and we are very excited to be able to add another chapter to that history next week.”

Athletes at the 2007 TELUS Cup will be competing not only for a national championship, but also to raise funds for local minor hockey. Over the course of the 19-game tournament, TELUS will donate $100 to Red Deer Minor Hockey for every goal scored, up to $5,000. This program will encourage teams to give it their all while giving back to the community.

“We are proud to be able to help Red Deer’s athletes focus on playing their game rather than fundraising,” said David Miles, TELUS general manager for South-Central Alberta. “We would like to wish everyone taking part in this great event the best of luck.”

The gold medal game will take place on Sunday, April 29, and will be broadcast by TSN/RDS, the official broadcaster of Hockey Canada. Check your local listings for game times.

Many future NHLers have taken part in the TELUS Cup (formerly the Air Canada Cup), including Sidney Crosby (2002), Simon Gagné (1998), Dany Heatley (1998), Joe Sakic (1986), Daniel Brière (1994), Michael Peca (1990), Ron Francis (1980), Patrick Roy (1982), Steve Yzerman (1980) and Al MacInnis (1979).

TICKETS
Ticket packages for all 19 games, including all 15 round-robin games and the semi-finals at the Red Deer Arena, as well as the medal games at the Enmax Centrium, are available for just $69. They can be purchased from Ticketmaster, at 403-340-4455, or at HYPERLINK "" www.ticketmaster.ca.