CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday the rosters for the 12 men’s under-17 and women’s under-18 teams that will compete at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, YT.

The Canada Winter Games will bring together the best under-17 aged male players and under-18 female players in the country. Every four years, the men’s tournament replaces Hockey Canada’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the women’s tournament replaces Hockey Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Challenge. The Canada Winter Games are organized by a host committee, through the Canada Games Council, and Hockey Canada acts as a technical advisor for the men’s and women’s hockey tournaments.

Among the male players who have participated in the Canada Winter Games are Sidney Crosby, Mike Peca, Jarret Stoll and Jordin Tootoo. Women’s alumni include Hayley Wickenheiser, Cassie Campbell, Sarah Vaillancourt and Meghan Agosta.

The 2007 Canada Winter Games men’s hockey tournament runs from February 24-March 2. Hockey Canada is pleased with the support of the Canadian Hockey League. This year’s Canada Winter Games will feature 78 players who compete in the CHL.
The women’s event goes from March 5-10. All games will be held in Whitehorse, at the Takhini Arena and Canada Games Centre. Several games, including the men’s gold medal final, will be shown on TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada.

Hockey Canada has posted all team rosters on its website, www.hockeycanada.ca.
Scores will be posted on the site as soon as possible.

However, because the Canada Winter Games is not a Hockey Canada event,
please visit www.yukonhockey.ca for live scores throughout the tournament.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chris Jurewicz, Hockey Canada’s Coordinator of Communications, will be on site during the men’s under-17 tournament and can be reached at (403) 880-5819.

Jason La Rose, Hockey Canada’s Coordinator of Hockey Information, will be on site during the women’s under-18 event and can be reached at (403) 703-8791.

Also, Jim Hammett, Hockey Canada’s Head Scout for Canada’s National Junior and National Under-18 teams, will be in Whitehorse to scout the men’s tournament. Wally Kozak, Hockey Canada’s Head Scout for Women’s Teams, will be in Whitehorse for the women’s tournament.