CALGARY, AB - The Canadian Hockey Association announced Thursday, Canada's roster for the 2002 Spengler Cup. The tournament, held annually in Davos, Switzerland, will run from December 26-31, 2002 at the Davos Arena.

General Manager Steve Tambellini and Head Coach Mike Pelino have put together a roster comprised of Canadian born players mostly playing in Europe.

Canada will boast a strong goaltending duo this year, as former Canadian Major Junior Goaltender-of-the-Year and Olympic silver medallist Corey Hirsch (Utah - AHL - Dallas Stars) and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Jamie Hodson (St. John's - AHL - Toronto Maple Leafs) have both been loaned to Team Canada by their National Hockey League organizations.

In addition to these two players, three others have been loaned to the Canadian team for the tournament from their NHL organizations. Joining Hirsch and Hodson on Canada's roster will be defenceman Luke Sellars (Chicago - AHL - Atlanta Thrashers) and forwards Bobby Andrews (Hartford - AHL - New York Rangers) and Mike Bishai (Columbus - ECHL - Edmonton Oilers).

Canada's 24-player roster includes several other former NHL players, including James Black (352GP, 58G, 57A, 115PTS), Mike Craig (423GP, 71G, 97A, 168PTS), Paul DiPietro (192GP, 31G, 49A, 80PTS and a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1992-93) and Jamie Heward (239GP, 25G, 45A, 70PTS) as well as former Olympians Mark Astley (1994), Chris Lindberg (1992) and Jean-Yves Roy (1994), who have all won a silver medal at the Olympics.

"National Hockey League organizations have always been very cooperative when it comes to recruiting players for Canada's National Men's Program," said Tambellini. "I feel we have put together a solid hockey team with both the players currently playing in Europe and the players that have been loaned to us by their NHL organizations."

Pelino, who will lead Canada behind the bench for the second straight year as Team Canada's Head Coach for the Spengler Cup, will be joined by assistant coaches Doug Jarvis (Dallas Stars) and Jim Koleff. Jarvis and Koleff were announced as assistant coaches for the Spengler Cup back on .

Last year, in the 2001 Spengler Cup final, Canada was defeated 4-3 in overtime by the host team from Davos on a goal from Winnipeg, MB native Lonny Bohonos. Overall, Canada has captured eight Spengler Cup championships in the 75-year existence, including a four-year run from 1995-98.

"We have come up just short the past two years and I believe we have the right mixture of players and staff to bring the gold medal home in 2002," said Pelino.

Any media requests during the 2002 Spengler Cup can go through Pelino, who can be reached in Switzerland at the Central Sport Hotel (011 41 81 413 8181) for the duration of Canada's stay in Davos.

All four of Canada's preliminary games as well as the gold medal game will be broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet and Leafs TV this year. Due to the time change, all games will be tape delayed. The schedule is as follows: