MONTREAL, QC – For the 4th consecutive year, ITECH and Hockey Canada are inviting kids from across Canada to draw an original Canadian-themed mask design that will be worn by Team Canada’s goalies during the upcoming 2007 World Junior Championship in Leksand and Mora, Sweden.

To make this year’s contest even more eventful, ITECH and Hockey Canada are proud to add NHL goaltenders José Théodore (Colorado Avalanche) and Manny Fernandez (Minnesota Wild), both former World Junior gold medal winners for Team Canada, to the exclusive voting panel of judges that determine the contest winners.

Based on the past success of the Design-A-Mask contest, this season’s competition will again generate two winners; one for the 13 and Older category, and one for the 12 and Under age group.

Apart from the thrill of having their designs chosen by the hockey industry’s top goalie aficionados and worn by Team Canada’s goalies, the two contest winners will also receive their very own duplicate, custom-painted ITECH goalie mask, which will be autographed by members of the Canadian National Junior Team.

To participate in the Design-A-Mask Contest, contestants must be Canadian residents 18 years old or younger.  All entries must reflect Canadian themes and include the Hockey Canada logo. To download the official Design-A-Mask Contest template, participants must visit hockeycanada.ca or itech.com. All completed templates must then be mailed back to ITECH from now until November 10th, 2006. Winners will be contacted and announced in early December.

Hockey Canada is the sole governing body for amateur hockey in Canada, including overseeing the national development programs for minor hockey coaches, officials and players across the country, as well as the operation of Canada’s men’s and women’s national teams and national and international hockey events held in Canada.

José Théodore won the 2004 World Cup of Hockey as a member of Team Canada which marked the third time that he had represented Canada internationally.  He also participated in the 2000 IIHF Men’s World Championship in St. Petersburg, Russia and won a gold medal at the 1996 World Junior Championship in Boston, US, where he also won the Directorate Award as the tournament’s top goaltender and was selected to the Tournament All-Star team.

Manny Fernandez captured a gold medal at the 1994 World Junior Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic as a member of Team Canada’s goalie tandem.

Mission-ITECH Hockey was created in May of 2004 following the merger of Mission Hockey and I-TECH Sport Products Inc. Mission’s strength in skates, sticks, gloves and pants evolves from its dominance of the roller hockey market, while ITECH's 20+ years of experience in head and facial product innovation accounts for its leadership position in the ice hockey industry today. Mission-ITECH Hockey is an official sponsor of Hockey Canada.