CALGARY, AB - The Canadian Hockey Association opens it's 83rd Annual General Meeting on Friday in Toronto, Ontario at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. The AGM begins on Friday evening, May 17th and continues through to Tuesday, May 21st.

The CHA AGM brings together regional and provincial representatives from across Canada, including the CHA Board of Directors made up of representatives from the CHA's thirteen provincial branches, CHA Life Members, representatives of the CHA's councils (Female, Junior, Minor, Senior, Hockey Development) as well as partner organizations. Over 400 provincial representatives are expected to attend this year's AGM, to discuss issues relating to hockey in Canada.

• Among the subjects and agenda items for the 2002 CHA AGM are:

• Strategic Planning Workshop on Athlete and Program Development

• Update on Molson Open Ice Initiatives

• Election of 2002-2003 CHA Officers and Council Directors

• Establishing the locations of future National Championships

• Recognition of CHA Award Recipients

"The AGM is a culmination of another tremendous year of hockey in Canada, a year that saw Canada claim two gold medals at the Winter Olympic Games while the hundreds of thousands of volunteers and the young boys and girls made hockey a big part of their lives over this past season," said Sheldon Lanchbery, Chair of the board of the CHA. "There are key issues on this year's agenda and the decisions we will make will enhance the game of hockey in Canada for the future."

CHA AGM - SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto, ON (all times Eastern)

Media is welcome at the majority of the above events, but all media inquiries in regards to the CHA's AGM should be directed to Brad Pascall, Director, Communications who will be on-site in Toronto an reachable at (416) 869-1600 or cell at (403) 703-8561.