Ottawa, ON – Hockey Canada announced on Tuesday that in December 2008, Canada’s 2009 National Junior team will hold part of its training camp and pre-World Junior preparations at CFB (Canadian Forces Base) Petawawa, which is located about 150 km outside of Ottawa.

Once the final Canada’s 2009 National Junior team is selected following selection camp in mid December 2008 in the Ottawa area, the team will hold practices and pre-event preparations including meetings and team building activities at CFB Petawawa next December.

Details, including exact dates and details of the camp, of Team Canada’s training at CFB Petawawa will not be confirmed or announced until next fall.

“Canadian soldiers consistently serve as wonderful ambassadors for our country, so it’s great to have them play an important role in assisting our team to prepare for the World Junior Championship next December at CFB Petawawa”, said Hockey Canada President and CEO, Bob Nicholson. “It is important for our players to know the importance of representing their country, and there is no better way to experience that than surrounding our players with the great men and women of the Canadian Forces.”

“It is an honour for us to play our part in helping Team Canada win gold,” said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff. “The hockey community has shown fantastic leadership in demonstrating support for our Canadian Forces family – now Canadian Forces Base Petawawa will return some of that hospitality, and share our culture of pride, physical fitness and drive that great teams need to bring home gold.”

“Whether you are a hockey player on Team Canada or a front-line soldier on the Canadian Forces, there exists a bond defined by national pride and a driving desire to succeed on behalf of our country," said Eugene Melnyk, Chairman of the Host Organizing Committee. "With Hockey Canada's decision to select CFB Petawawa as a training site, we know that bond will be part of the winning formula to bring home the gold in 2009."