CALGARY, AB – Canada’s National Men’s Hockey Team announced on Friday that the Mid-West Islanders from Saskatchewan will represent Canada at the upcoming 2005 Nagano Cup, a Commemorative Hockey Tournament, held in the Olympic City of Nagano, Japan.  The 2005 Nagano Cup will be held January 28-30th, 2005 in Nagano, Japan and will feature three teams: Canada, Japan and Russia.

The Mid-West Islanders, formerly the Ministikwan Islanders, were the runners up at the 2004 Allan Cup, Canada’s National Men’s Senior Championship that was held in Saint-Georges, QC. 

The Islanders Nagano Cup squad includes fromer NHLers Blair Atcheynum (OTT, STL, NAS, CHI) and Joel Prpic (BOS, COL) and also includes NHL draftees Mike Hurley (DAL ’96, 4/90) and Russ Hewson (WPG ’93, 11/283).

The Islanders will also benefit from the addition of two Canadian players who are currently playing in the newly formed Asian Ice Hockey League for this tournament.  Joining the Islanders are Prpic of the Kukodo Lions, who is currently tied for third in league scoring, and Martin Kariya, brother of Paul Kariya, who recently signed with Japan’s HC Nikko Icebucks.

Hockey Canada staff is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on January 22 and the players are scheduled to arrive on January 23 where they will practice before leaving for Nagano on Wednesday, January 26.  The following is Team Canada’s schedule: