CALGARY, ALBERTA - Canada's National Under 18 Team begins a four-day pre-competition camp Monday, August 7, 2000 at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena, in Calgary, AB, in preparation for the Four Nations Under 18 Hockey Tournament in Slovakia, and three exhibition games in the Czech Republic, the Canadian Hockey Association and the Canadian Hockey League announced Friday.

The twenty-two players that make up the team were announced on June 15th, 2000. Head coach Ken Babey, head coach of the SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) Trojans , will be assisted by Rich Brown, head coach of the OHL's Sarnia Sting and Christian LaRue, assistant coach with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats. The players were selected by the Canadian Hockey Association's Director of Scouting, Barry Trapp.

The 2000 National Under 18 Team is comprised entirely of players born in 1983. The Under 18 National team is part of a three stage Program of Excellence beginning with the under 17 regional teams and ending with the World Junior team. The primary objectives of the under 18 program are to identify, evaluate and condition players to the rigours of international competition by giving them their first exposure to international hockey, international officiating, larger ice surfaces, and travel.

Any interview requests can be made on site at the Father Bauer Olympic Arena, or by calling André Brin, Manager, Media Relations at 403-777-3609 or 403-703-8791.