CALGARY, Alta. – International women’s hockey hits the ice in Calgary this week when Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team faces the United States’ Women’s Under-18 Select Team in a three-game series beginning Monday night at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena. Games are also scheduled for Wednesday night at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena and Thursday afternoon at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Admission to the games on August 24 and August 26 at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena will be by donation of a non-perishable item to the Calgary Food Bank. 

Tickets for the game on August 27 at the Pengrowth Saddledome can be reserved in advance by calling Hockey Canada at 403-777-3636 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. MT, Monday to Friday.

 Tickets must be reserved by 4 p.m. MT on Wednesday, August 26 and can be picked up beginning at 1:30 p.m. MT on Thursday, August 27 at the Avison Young entrance to the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team was chosen by head coach Dan Church (Toronto, Ont./York University, CIS), along with Hockey Canada’s regional scouts, following an eight-day selection camp in Calgary from July 23-30. The team gathered in Calgary last Thursday for a four-day camp prior to the start of the series against the U.S.

The 2009-10 season for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will include the three-game series against the United States, as well as the 2010 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship from March 27-April 3 in the United States.

The national under-18 program is an extension of Hockey Canada's branch under-18 Programs of Excellence, which began in 1991 when women's hockey was added to the Canada Winter Games. This season's competition for the branch Program of Excellence teams, the 2009 National Women's Under-18 Championship, will take place in Surrey, B.C. from November 4-8.

The roster announced Monday will not be Canada’s team for the world championship. Player evaluations will continue during the 2009-10 season, including the 2009 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, and a final roster will be named for the world championship in March.

The National Women’s Under-18 Team is a key component of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, which, along with the under-22 program, helps identify, evaluate and develop female hockey players for Canada’s National Women’s Team.