CALGARY, Alta. – The City of Dawson Creek, B.C. will host Canada’s National Women’s Team for a conditioning camp from May 25 to June 17, the final team activity before centralization for the 2009-10 season begins in Calgary in August 2009.

Canada’s National Women’s Team will be based at the EnCana Events Centre in Dawson Creek for the 24-day camp. Twenty-six players have been identified for centralization for the 2009-10 season, and all will be in attendance for the camp. These players will be vying for one of 21 roster spots for the team that will represent Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C. from February 12-28, 2010.

The conditioning camp in Dawson Creek will include various on-ice and off-ice activities to prepare the players and staff for the upcoming season. More details will be announced in May and fans can check with the EnCana Events Centre or www.hockeycanada.ca for more information on sessions that will be open to the public.

“The players and staff members are excited to gather as a group in Dawson Creek at the end of May,” said Melody Davidson, head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team. “This will be an important camp for our team as we take the first step towards Vancouver.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our community,” said Dawson Creek mayor Mike Bernier. “At the same time, it will assist in the development of women’s hockey in the run up to the 2010 Winter Olympics.”

“To host Canada’s National Women’s Team at the EnCana Events Centre is a great honour not only for the facility but for Dawson Creek and the entire Peace Region,” said Ryan MacIvor, general manager for global spectrum facility management at the EnCana Events Centre.

A final schedule for the camp will be released in mid-May.

The full schedule for the 2009-10 season has not been finalized but details of a series of games against the U.S. and the 2009 Hockey Canada Cup were announced earlier this month. More details for the 2009-10 season will be announced in the coming weeks.

NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE IN CANADA FOR 2009-10

Aug. 31-Sept. Hockey Canada Cup UBC Thunderbird Arena/GM Place, Vancouver, B.C.

Canada vs. U.S. Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Victoria, B.C.

Canada vs. U.S. Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Alta.

Canada vs. U.S. Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Ont.