CALGARY, ALBERTA ' The Canadian Hockey Association is bidding to host the IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship for the first time ever in 2007, the CHA announced on Monday.

The IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship is the premiere annual international hockey event, bringing together the top hockey playing nations in the World, running every year from the end of April through mid-May. Teams are comprised of top players from European leagues and NHL players not involved in the NHL playoffs. Slovakia won the World Championship in 2002, while Canada finished fifth.

Since the World Championship was held for the first time in 1930, Canada has never hosted this event. Canada has captured a total of 13 gold medals, including gold medals in 1994 and in 1997.

On Monday, the CHA made bid guidelines available to potential Canadian host sites for the 2007 IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) Men's World Hockey Championship.

Key dates for the CHA's bid to host the 2007 IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship

• The CHA makes bid guidelines available to potential sites for 2007 IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship on ;
• A Letter of Intent from interested applicants indicating a bid application is due to the CHA by ;
• All bid applicants will be required to submit an Operations Plan by ;
• An in-person presentation of this plan to the IIHF Championship Committee will take place in January 2003.

In January of 2003, the IIHF will announce shortlisted bids for further presentations that will be made to the CHA. Canada will be one of many other countries vying to host the 2007 Worlds. The IIHF will approve a host country and a host site for the 2007 IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship no later than .

The 2007 IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship bid guidelines are available on request by contacting the CHA's Wendy Dubé, at 403-777-3623. All interested applicants will be required to provide the name and contact information for the lead contact person representing the bid committee.