CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Charlottetown, PEI is in the final preparations to host the 2003 Royal Bank Cup, Canada's National Junior “A” Hockey Championship, from May 3-11. All championship games will be played at the Charlottetown Civic Centre.

Five teams are taking part in this year’s championship: the Camrose (AB) Kodiaks from the Pacific region, the Humboldt (SK) Broncos from the Western region, the Wellington (ON) Dukes from the Central region, the Lennoxville (QC) Cougars from the Eastern region and the host team, the Charlottetown Abbies.

The teams will play round-robin games from May 3-8 with the top four teams qualifying for the playoff round. The semi-final games (first against fourth, second against third) will be held on May 10, with the Gold medal game scheduled for May 11th.

The Gold medal game will be played at 1:30 p.m. (Atlantic Time) 12:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Sunday, May 11 and will be broadcast live across Canada on the official broadcaster of the CHA, TSN and on RDS.

The individuals selected as the player-of-the-game from each team after every game in the tournament receive player-of-the-game trophies compliments of RBC Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey Association. Those chosen for the player-of-the-game awards during semi-final and medal games will also receive Timex watches, in addition to the individual award trophies.

Based on their individual performances during the six-day round-robin section of the 2003 Royal Bank Cup, six individual player awards will be presented.

The player judged by an independent panel as the outstanding performer will receive the Royal Bank Cup Most Valuable Player award. Along with the Most Valuable Player award, the individual will receive an MVP award package, including an ITECH sportswear package, compliments of ITECH Sports Products Inc.

The other individual awards include the Royal Bank Cup Top Scorer, Top Goaltender, Top Forward, Top Defenceman and Most Sportsmanlike Player. Each player will receive a 2003 Royal Bank Cup award, a Timex watch and a sports package courtesy of ITECH Sports Products Inc. for their accomplishments.

Noteable alumnus who have played in previous Royal Bank Cups include Rod Brind’Amour (Carolina Hurricanes), Scott Gomez (New Jersey Devils), Greg Johnson (Nashville Predators), Curtis Joseph (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Scott Pellerin (Dallas Stars).