OTTAWA – Game on! These words, usually heard at street hockey games in cities and towns across Canada, are the inspiration for a new school program aimed at harnessing youngsters’ daydreams to score a big win for education.

The Game On for Learning school program was launched today for students throughout the greater Ottawa area. Developed by the host organizing committee for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa and sponsored by Direct Energy, the hockey-themed educational curriculum will be available to roughly 147,000 students, in six English and French school boards, from junior kindergarten to Grade 8.

“The program was developed by teachers with a passion for hockey and a passion for learning,” said Barb Cameron, who teaches Grades 7 and 8 at Oxford on Rideau Public School and spearheaded the program’s development as a volunteer on the world junior championship’s host organizing committee.

“We worked throughout the summer to provide exciting and fun lessons and literacy blocks that include interactive read-aloud shared reading activities, guided reading, independent reading, and writing activities.”

The program is the first of its kind and comes complete with lesson plans and activities available for primary, junior and intermediate levels, designed to support learning outcomes for the Ontario educational curriculum.

“It would have been incredible to have this opportunity to learn through hockey when I was growing up,” said Bob Huggard, president of home and business services at Direct Energy. “From my own experience, I know that hockey plays a big part in the lives of many students. This program is an excellent way to draw this passion into the classroom, and Direct Energy is thrilled to be a part of it.”

The Game On For Learning school program also features five prize packages, giving teachers and their classes in eastern Ontario the opportunity to attend a game during the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.

“I believe it’s exciting and special for Hockey Canada and our world junior championship in Ottawa to be reaching out to more and more people through initiatives like the Game On For Learning school program,” said Bob O’Doherty, general manager for the championship.

“With more than 440,000 tickets already sold for the 31-game championship, another 75,000 fans are expected to attend the pre-competition games leading up to the opening day. And now with another 147,000 students taking part in the experience, this will be the most far-reaching IIHF world junior championship ever.”

About Direct Energy
Direct Energy is one of North America’s largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than five million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 22 states (plus DC) and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com.

For more information, please contact:
André Brin, Hockey Canada, 403-540-8444
Lisa Frizzell, Direct Energy, 403-290-6835
Phil Legault, 2009 IIHF WJC host committee, 613-599-0327