TORONTO, ON – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, announced on Wednesday Canada’s roster of 22 players that will participate in the 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Angelholm and Halmstad, Sweden, from April 12-22.

Canada’s Under-18 team is made up of the best available players born in 1988 or later, who are not competing, or have been eliminated in the playoffs from their respective club teams.

Many of Canada’s Under-18 players named today are highly touted prospects for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, including many that are projected to be selected in the first and second round.

Canada’s head coach Greg Gilbert (Mississauga, OHL), and assistant coaches Guy Boucher (Rimouski, QMJHL) and Kirk Muller (Queen’s University) will lead Canada in Sweden.

Canada’s roster includes nine returning players that were a part of Canada’s Summer Under 18 program (August, 2005) that won a gold medal at the Under-18 Junior World Cup. The returning players to the Under 18 program are: goaltender Jonathan Bernier, defencemen Keaton Ellerby, Logan Pyett, Ben Shutron and Ty Wishart, and forwards Stéfan Chaput, Cory Emmerton, Ben Maxwell, and Jamie McGinn.

Canada’s Under-18 players and staff will gather in the Toronto area for two practices prior to departing on Friday evening for Europe. Canada’s practice schedule in Toronto is as follows:

Thursday, April 6th

Time of practice: 3:00 pm ET

Team Canada will dress at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, and go across the street and practice at ICE LAND arena in Mississauga. Media availability will take place at the Hershey Centre after practice.

Friday, April 7th

Time of practice: 9:30am ET

Canlan Ice Sports

1120 Martin Grove Rd in Etobicoke, ON

Team Canada will dress at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, and travel by bus to Canlan ice Sports in Mississauga. Media availability will take place at the Hershey Centre after practice.

Canada’s Under-18 team will depart Toronto on Friday, April 7th on Lufthansa Flight 471, departing Terminal 1 at 6:10pm ET.

Canada will open the 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Championship on April 12th versus Slovakia.
TSN/RDS, the official broadcaster of Hockey Canada, will carry games LIVE from Sweden and the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, beginning with Canada’s fourth game, on April 17th versus Finland (check local listings).