CALGARY, AB - Canada's National Women's Team will assemble on March 26th in Toronto, Ontario at the Beatrice Ice Gardens on the York University Campus to prepare for the 2001 IIHF Women's World Hockey Championship from April 2-8, 2001, in Minneapolis, the Canadian Hockey Association announced on Wednesday.

Head coach Danièle Sauvageau and assistant coaches Melody Davidson and Wally Kozak will run the team through daily practices during the camp that runs March 26-April 1. Canada will play two exhibition games, facing Finland at the Brampton Sports and Entertainment Centre, on March 28th and Germany at the Beatrice Ice Gardens, on March 30th. The Esso Schools Program will be in operation for the Canada-Finland game on March 28th, as 500 children and 500 parents will be receiving tickets to the game courtesy of Imperial Oil and the Esso Schools Program. Other development programs have also been scheduled, such as an Esso Fun Day and a pre-game Coaches Clinic on March 28th. Contact the OWHA (905-282-9980) for information or to register for the CHA Coaches Clinic.

"It has been a terrific season and we are now only days away from competing at the 2001 IIHF World Championship," said Sauvageau. "The players and staff are looking forward to taking on the challenge of facing the World's top women's hockey teams."

Canada has won all six Women's World Hockey Championships, and will be looking for a seventh in Minneapolis. Canada's overall record is 30-0-0 in World Championship play.

Players and coaches will be available for interviews on site after practices and games. All media requests for phone interviews can be directed to André Brin. Due to the team's schedule, phone interviews
will be limited.

All practices will take place at the Beatrice Ice Gardens. All times listed below are Eastern.

Monday, March 26 11 am - 12:30 pm Practice
5:45 pm - 6:45 pm Practice

Tuesday, March 27 10 am - 11:30 am Practice
7 pm - 8:30 pm Practice

Wednesday, March 28 9 am - 10 am Pre-game skate
5 pm Esso Fun Day (Brampton, ON)
5:15 pm Coaches Clinic (Brampton, ON)
7 pm CANADA vs. Finland in Brampton, ON

Thursday, March 29 10:30 am - Noon Practice
7 pm Finland vs. Germany in Caledon, ON

Friday, March 30 9 am - 10 am Practice
7 pm CANADA vs. Germany at Beatrice Ice Gardens, ON

Saturday, March 31 8:45 am - 10:15 am Practice
6 pm Practice (scrimmage)

Sunday, April 1 9:30 am - 10:45 am Practice

Practices are open to the public free of charge. Tickets for Canada's two exhibition games and a third international game between Finland and Germany, on March 29th at Teen Ranch in Caledon, ON are available by calling the OWHA's ticket hotline at 905-282-9980.