January 21, 2005
NR.010

NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM TO OPEN CAMP ON SATURDAY

CALGARY, AB - Canada's National Women's Team is set to open its evaluation camp on Saturday, January 22nd and will run through to January 27th at the Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary, AB.

Twenty-three of Canada’s top women’s hockey players will attend the January camp in Calgary, which is the final evaluation opportunities for selection the 2005 World Women's Team competing in April in Linkoping, Sweden. The National Team held the Thanksgiving Festival in Kitchener, ON in October, and most recently won gold at the Four Nations Cup held in Lake Placid, NY in mid November. Different players and rosters were used throughout this season at these events to give the coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate a pool of players.

Players still eligible for Canada's Women's Under-22 program will not participate in the January Camp as they will be taking part in the Air Canada Cup in February.

Lara Perks and Therese Brisson were both named to the January camp roster but will be unable to participate due to injuries.

The National Women's team continues to evaluate a pool of 31 players that are under consideration for both the 2005 IIHF World Women's Championship and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.

Hockey Canada’s women’s program Head Scout Wally Kozak, along with Head Coach Melody Davidson and assistant coaches, Tim Bothwell and Margot Page will select in early March, Canada’s final roster for the 2005 IIHF World Women's Championship.

"We are anxious to get started with the January camp, and glad to get back a few players that have been out with various injuries, “ said Melody Davidson, Head Coach. “Looking ahead to the World Championship in Sweden, we think we can bring a good mix of experience and energy, and this camp will help us identify those players."

Canada's National Women's Team has won all eight previous IIHF World Women's Championships, and are the current Olympic gold medal winners.

» National Womens Team site