Halifax, Nova Scotia - March 23, 2002 - Fred MacGillivray, Chair, 2003 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship introduced the newest member of the World Junior Hockey Planning Team at the Halifax Mooseheads' second playoff game at Halifax Metro Centre on Saturday.

Champ the Otter will be the official Mascot of the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championship, working hard to get fans to "Join the Rush". Champ, the 6-foot hockey-loving Otter thrilled fans as he made his grand entrance at Halifax Metro Centre riding the Zamboni.

Champ is a typical otter. He's playful, mischievous and an all-round fun critter. He has a bit of a "tough guy" attitude, but deep down he's really quite nice - a "soft touch!" He's a huge hockey fan and can't get enough of the game. His hobbies include belly slides, making new friends and
collecting hockey pucks!

Champ will be seen on a regular basis at both the Halifax Metro Centre and Centre 200 during the tournament and many community events over the next 8 months. Fans, young and young-at-heart, will be entertained by Champ's antics as he shakes his tail and slides his way in and out of Halifax Metro Centre, Sydney's Centre 200 and lots of other events venues.

Said MacGillivray, "This Championship will be the biggest sporting event ever to be staged in Halifax. It will attract upwards of 300 local, national and international media reps.. We will sell 250,000 tickets for all the games, and the event will generate $13 million in direct spending in the economy. Believe me, this will be the best party Nova Scotia has ever seen, and Champ will be right up there helping us to celebrate!"