CALGARY, ALBERTA - Karen Hughes was named as Head Coach of Canada's National Women's Team for the 2002-2003 season, CHA's Vice-President, Hockey Johnny Misley announced on Monday.

Hughes has been a member of Canada's women's coaching pool and women's program since 1996. Last season, Hughes was Head Coach for Canada's National Under-22 team, as well as an assistant coach with Canada's Women's Olympic team, which captured the Olympic gold medal in women's hockey. Hughes also won two IIHF World Championship gold medals as an assistant coach with Canada's National Women's in both 19.

This announcement marks the first time that Hughes has been named as Head Coach of Canada's National Women's team.

Hughes, a NCCP Advanced II (Level 4) certified coach, began the 2002-2003 season as Head Coach of Canada's Under 22 team, leading Canada to a 2-0-1 series win over the USA National Under 22 Team in Lake Placid, NY in August 2002.

The 2002-2003 Head Coaching position for Canada's National Women's team will be a part-time position, therefore, Hughes, of Agincourt, ON will continue her duties as Head Coach with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues' women's team. Hughes, entering her 10th season with the U of T., led the Blues to a CIAU National Championship in the 2000-2001season.

Misley also announced that Hughes will be joined behind the National Women's Team bench by associate coach Mike Pelino and assistant coach Ken Dufton for the 2002-2003 season.

Pelino will be in his first season with Canada's National women's team. He has been with the Canadian Hockey Association since August 1999, as associate coach and General Manager with Canada's National Men's Team. The native of Welland, ON was the video coach of Canada's 2002 gold medal winning Men's Olympic team in Salt Lake City. Prior to joining the CHA, Pelino was an assistant coach with the WHL's Spokane Chiefs and Head Coach at Brock University. In addition to his duties with the National Women's Team in 2002-2003, Pelino will serve as the Head Coach with Canada's National Men's Team at several events in Europe. Pelino is an NCCP Advanced II (Level 4) certified coach.

This is the third time that Dufton has been named an assistant coach of one of Canada's National Women's teams. He served as an assistant coach with the women's program during the 1998-1999 (National Women's Team) and 2001-2002 (National Under 22 Team) seasons, winning a gold medal at the 1999 IIHF World Women's Hockey Championship in Finland. Dufton, a native of Toronto, ON, is a NCCP Intermediate Level certified coach and is the head coach of the Beatrice (ON) Aeros of the NWHL.

Canada's National Women's Team will open the 2002-2003 season with a Development Camp in Toronto, ON from October 8-13, 2002. Details regarding the NWT Development Camp will be available shortly.

At this time, Canada's National Women's Team has confirmed that it will be taking part in the 2002 4 Nations Cup in Kitchener, ON from November 6-10, 2002 (ticket information: 1-800-265-6368/519-745-0303) and the 2003 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Beijing, China from April 2-8, 2003. Other events for the 2002-2003 season are TBD.