With the puck dropped on the 2010-11 season in the 10 Junior A leagues across Canada, the countdown is on to the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, which begins November 8 at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, B.C.

Canada West and Canada East will take a big step towards the fifth-annual event when they host evaluation camps in the coming weeks. The westerners will hold camp at the SOEC in Penticton from September 27-28, while Canada East camp is set for October 4-5 at the Iroquois Sports Centre in Whitby, Ont.

Both camps will include 40 of the best players from each region’s five leagues. Canada West includes the British Columbia Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League, while Canada East consists of players from the Ontario Junior Hockey League, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Central Hockey League, Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec and Maritime Hockey League.

“The games at last year’s evaluation camp were a valuable tool in helping put Canada West together,” said Rylan Ferster, general manager of Canada West. “Fans in Penticton will be treated to 40 of the best Junior A players in western Canada going full out trying to earn a roster spot.”

“The evaluation camp in Whitby is a huge step in the right direction,” said Canada East general manager Troy Ryan. “This will give us a chance to evaluate a number of the top Junior A players in eastern Canada on the same stage, against top competition. We are expecting this camp to provide fans and scouts an opportunity to watch a competitive brand of hockey as these players will compete hard for a chance to represent Canada East in Penticton come November.”

Full rosters for both camps will be released later this week.

CAMP SCHEDULES

Canada West – Penticton, B.C.

Monday, September 27

9:15-10:30 a.m. Practice Red

10:45 a.m.-noon Practice White

7:30 p.m. Game Red vs. White

Tuesday, September 28

9:15-10:30 a.m. Practice White

10:45 a.m.-noon Practice Red

7:30 p.m. Game Red vs. White

Canada East – Whitby, Ont.

Monday, October 4

9-10:15 a.m. Practice Red

10:30-11:45 a.m. Practice White

7:30 p.m. Game Red vs. White

Tuesday, October 5

9-10:15 a.m. Practice White

10:30-11:45 a.m. Practice Red

7:30 p.m. Game Red vs. White

TICKET INFORMATION

Canada West (Penticton, B.C.): All practices are free to attend. Tickets to the two Red-White games are available for just $5 (plus applicable charges). Tickets can be purchased by phone at 1-877-763-2849, online at www.valleyfirsttix.com and in person at the South Okanagan Events Centre box office.

Canada East (Whitby, Ont.): All practices are free to attend. Tickets to the two Red-White games are available for adults at $11 per game or $15 for both games, and for students and seniors at $7 per game or $10 for both games. All minor hockey players wearing their jerseys will be admitted for only $2. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 1-905-688-7765 and in person at the Iroquois Sports Centre.