CALGARY, AB - Defenceman Chris Heid, of the WHL's Spokane Chiefs, is unable to attend Canada's National Junior Team's Selection Camp December 11-16, 2002 in Halifax, NS, due to a hand injury suffered last week, the Canadian Hockey Association announced on Wednesday.

CHA head scout Blair Mackasey announced that forward Nathan Horton of the Oshawa Generals (OHL) has been added to the camp roster.

Heid, 19, a native of Kamloops, BC, was one of twelve defencemen named December 2nd to the Team Canada Selection Camp roster. Heid sustained his hand injury during a November 27th game against the Swift Current Broncos.

Horton, 18, a native of Dunnville, ON, won a gold medal with Canada's National Under 18 Summer Team at the 2002 Eight Nations Cup in Slovakia this past August.

With these two announcements, the Canada's Selection camp roster boasts 34 players, including 4 goaltenders, 11 defencemen and 19 forwards.

Team Canada's selection camp, December 11-16, 2002, will serve to prepare and name the 22 players for Canada's roster for the 2003 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax and Sydney, NS from to .

Additional players may be invited to the attend the selection camp, but as per the CHA's National Junior Team policy, additional player announcements must be made prior to the start of the selection camp ().

Canada will be hosting the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship for the sixth time this year in Halifax and Sydney, NS. Other years Canada has hosted were: 1999 (Winnipeg, MB), 1995 (Red Deer, AB), 1991 (Saskatoon, SK), 1986 (Hamilton, ON), 1978 (Montreal, QC).

In the 1990's, Canada captured seven gold medals, with a record five gold medals in a row from 1993-1997, and one silver medal in 1999. Canada is the only country to medal at the past four World Junior Championships, with silver medals in 19, and bronze medals in 20.

Details regarding Team Canada's selection camp, Dec. 11-16 in Halifax, NS are:

• Daily Team Canada practices are free and open to the public (see attached schedule)

75$ ticket packages for 7 pre-Championship games at the Halifax Metro Centre are now on sale. The package includes two Team Canada Red-White Intersquad Games, two exhibition games Canada vs. Atlantic University Sport (AUS) All-Star Team, as well as three international exhibition games. Ticket packages can be purchased at the Halifax Metro Centre box office or charge by phone at 902-451-1221.