OTTAWA, Ont. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Government of Canada and the City of Ottawa, announced Thursday that Sport Canada is providing $500,000 in funding for the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship, taking place April 2-9, 2013 at SBP Arena in Ottawa and the Nepean Sportsplex.

The financial support is a result of Sport Canada’s Hosting Program, which aims to enhance sport development across the country by assisting sport organizations in offering national and international events, in order to create lasting athletic, cultural, economic and social legacies.

“Today, on International Day of the Girl, the Harper Government is pleased to announce support for an event that will offer our Canadian women athletes the opportunity to compete against some of the world’s best on home soil as they continue to be a huge inspiration to a younger generation of hockey players,” Minister of State Bal Gosal said. “Hosting the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship will not only provide an economic boost to the Ottawa region, it will also demonstrate that Canada is truly a leading sport nation.”

“Hockey Canada can’t thank the Government of Canada enough for its support of this prestigious event, featuring the best women’s hockey in the world,” Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson said. “We know this event will be exciting for hockey fans, and will also inspire more young girls to get into the great Canadian game and experience all the benefits of participating in team sport.”

The 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship is being hosted in partnership by Hockey Canada, the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association and Senators Sports and Entertainment, who also announced Thursday its slogan for this spring’s event, Don’t Miss the Moment, and new ticket packages that will give fans the best bang for their buck:

• The Team Canada package includes all games featuring Canada’s National Women’s Team and all medal round games, starting at just $184;
• The Gold Medal 3-Pack features six games over three days, including two quarter-finals and both medal games, starting at just $99;
• The Canada-USA 3-Pack features six games over three days including the preliminary game between Canada and the United States on April 2, two quarter-finals and both semifinals, starting at just $89;
• New group rates are also available, and all ticket packages are subject to handling fees.
• Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE or by calling 613-599-FANS (3267).

Don’t Miss the Moment was chosen as the slogan for the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship to express that participating in this event, whether as a player, fan or volunteer, is a unique opportunity to witness sport history, and what is anticipated to be the most well-attended women’s hockey event ever.

“It’s only appropriate that the women’s world championship come back to Ottawa, home of the first-ever event 23 years ago,” Senators Sports & Entertainment president Cyril Leeder said. “We look forward to seeing fans fill our arenas to watch the top female players from across the globe take to the ice this April.”

The last time SBP Arena hosted Canada’s National Women’s Team was Jan., when 16,347 fans filled the stands, breaking a women’s hockey game attendance record, and watched Canada edge the United States 3-2 in a shootout.

“Bringing the women’s world championship back to Canada’s capital will inspire younger generations of girls to try hockey and stay in the game,” Ontario Women’s Hockey Association president Fran Rider said. “We are thrilled to hold our annual provincial championships in conjunction with this event, and know this will be a wonderful way to promote and grow our sport.”

The OWHA will be holding activities across Ontario this Friday and Saturday to help celebrate the 2012 IIHF World Girls’ Hockey Weekend. The 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship host committee will join the OWHA for activities in Ottawa, including girls’ hockey practices, sport information sessions, mother-daughter team training, a One Goal try hockey session and much more, all taking place at Carleton University’s Ice House. For more information on 2012 IIHF World Girls’ Hockey Weekend activities across Canada, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca/FemaleHockey.

The 2013 edition will mark the sixth time Canada has hosted the women’s world championship, joining 1990 in Ottawa, Ont., 1997 in Kitchener, Ont., 2000 in Mississauga, Ont., 2004 in Halifax, N.S., and 2007 in Winnipeg, Man.

For more information on the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship, please follow www.Twitter.com/HC_WWHC, become a fan at www.Facebook.com/WorldWomens and visit www.HockeyCanada.ca/2013Ottawa.