MOSCOW – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, along with the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, announced today that the two rival hockey nations will compete in an eight-game series in late August/early September which will feature the best Under-20 World Junior players of each nation.

This eight-game series will begin with four games in Russia (August 27, 29, 31st and September 1st) and then four games in Canada (September 4, 6, 8 and 9th). Locations and game times will be announced in the coming weeks.

The four games being played in Canada is a partnership between Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League.

This late summer Canada/Russia series will feature the best players under the age of 20, who are eligible to compete in the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship in December in the Czech Republic.

This series was initiated to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Canada / Russia Summit Series, and this that will be a one-time only event.

Canada and Russia have met in five of the past six gold medal championship games at the past six World Junior Championships. Canada has won three straight World Junior Championships (2005, 20), beating Russia in all three championship games.

“Together with the Canadian Hockey League, we are very happy to announce this ground breaking event to celebrate the 35th anniversary of these two great hockey nations, and we know that world junior hockey fans all across our country will be very excited to hear the news of this series coming late this summer, “ said Bob Nicholson, President, Hockey Canada.

“We are extremely excited to partner with Hockey Canada to bring hockey fans in Canada the best that hockey has to offer – Canada vs. Russia with the best under 20 aged players. We appreciate the support of all of the club teams in the CHL for their support in this event, and we know that our fans will enjoy this series, “said David Branch, President, Canadian Hockey League.

No ticket information or confirmed venues are currently available for this series of eight games. At this time, proposals are being reviewed by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League for host venues for the four games to be played in Canada. In the coming weeks, Hockey Canada will announce the confirmed details. The Russian Federation will be announcing its venues and ticket information in the coming weeks.