OTTAWA – Today Canada opens the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship against host-country Sweden, which will be broadcast at 1 p.m. (EST) on TSN and RDS. In 731 days, Canada’s best junior players will begin their quest for the 2009 world title in Ottawa, but there are only 21 days left to get ticket packages for the tournament before the public on-sale ends on Monday, Jan. 15.

“Since the ticket packages became available to the general public on Dec. 8, we’ve had a strong response, bringing us to a sold-out lower bowl at Scotiabank Place and at almost half of our goal of 397,000 tickets sold,” said Cyril Leeder, vice-chair of the 2009 championship’s host committee. “We’ve seen continued and growing interest from season-ticket holders, sponsors and the general public.”

Tickets packages are available in 31- and 17-game packages – no single-game tickets are available. The 31-game ticket packages start at $27.42 per seat per game and require only a $100 seat deposit. The balance can be paid in three instalments: on ; Nov. and . Ticket packages can be purchased at www.capitaltickets.ca by calling 613-599-FANS (3267) and at the Ottawa Senators box office.

Ottawa Senators and Ottawa 67’s season-ticket holders, Hockey Canada partners and sponsors, Canadian Hockey League teams and partners, IIHF world junior championship stakeholders and sponsors will still have the opportunity to purchase ticket packages after the January public deadline.

The 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be held from Dec.26, 2008, to Jan., features 17 games at Scotiabank Place and 14 games at the Civic Centre.