NHL Teams Loan Six Players to Canada for 2003 Sweden Games Swiss Cup Roster Also Announced

NR.009.03
|
January 30, 2003
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CALGARY, AB - The Canadian Hockey Association announced Thursday, Canada's rosters for the 2003 Sweden Games and the 2003 Swiss Cup. The Sweden Games will be played from February 4-9, 2003 in Stockholm, Sweden while the Swiss Cup will be in Basel, Switzerland from February 7-9, 2003.

General Manager Steve Tambellini and Coach / Manager Mike Pelino have put together rosters comprised of Canadian born players mostly playing in Europe for the two annual international events.

Canada's Sweden Games roster will feature six players on loan from their National Hockey League organizations. Goaltender Jamie Hodson (St. John's - AHL - Toronto Maple Leafs), defencemen Mathieu Biron (San Antonio - AHL - Florida Panthers) and Jesse Fibiger (Cleveland - AHL - San Jose Sharks) and forwards Chuck Kobasew (Saint John - AHL - Calgary Flames), Matthew Lombardi (Saint John - AHL - Calgary Flames) and Nathan Smith (Manitoba - AHL - Vancouver Canucks) have all been loaned by their respective NHL clubs. Kobasew was a member of Canada's 2002 silver medal winning National Junior Team. In addition to these players, Canada will have 11 members of Canada's 2002 Spengler Cup winning team, including tournament All-Stars Jamie Heward and Paul DiPietro.

"National Hockey League general managers have been extremely helpful to Canada's success this season," said Tambellini. "Their continued cooperation is much appreciated."

Gary Green (CHA) will lead Canada behind the bench for the Sweden Games and will be assisted by Mike Kelly (Head Coach of Canada's 2003 Under-18 team) and Doug Jarvis (Dallas Stars).

Any media inquiries during the 2003 Sweden Games can be made through Team Canada's Team Leader, Scott Salmond by calling the Scandic Park Hotel at 011 46 8517 348 00.

Canada's schedule for the 2003 Sweden Games is as follows:

DATE OPPONENT LOCAL TIME (EST) LOCATION

Sweden 7:00pm (1:00pm) Stockholm, Sweden

Russia 7:00pm (1:00pm) Stockholm, Sweden

Czech Republic 7:00pm (1:00pm) Stockholm, Sweden

Finland 12:00pm (6:00am) Stockholm, Sweden

Canada's roster for the 2003 Swiss Cup will be made up entirely of Canadian players currently playing in Europe. The roster will also include five members of Canada's 2002 Spengler Cup winning team. Former Olympians Mark Astley (1994) and Chris Lindberg (1992) will suit up for Canada for the 2003 Swiss Cup.

Head Coach Mike Pelino (Coach and Manager of Canada's National Men's Team) and assistant coaches Brad McCrimmon (Calgary Flames) and Mike McParland (Head Coach of HC Lausanne in the Swiss Elite League) will guide Canada at the Swiss Cup.

"I believe that we have put together a quality group of players and staff for this event," said Pelino. "We have a good mixture of leadership and skill, which is important when you play in these type of events."

Any media inquiries during the 2003 Swiss Cup can be made through Pelino by calling the Hotel Hilton at 011 41 61 275 66 00.

Canada's schedule for the 2003 Swiss Cup is as follows:

DATE OPPONENT TIME (EST) LOCATION

Germany 3:45pm (9:45am) Basel, Switzerland

Slovakia 7:30pm (1:30pm) Basel, Switzerland

Switzerland 3:45pm (9:45am) Basel, Switzerland

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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