CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Thursday the 22 players that will make up Canada’s National Junior Team for the upcoming 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The team includes two players who won gold medals at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship and 16 members of Canada’s National Junior Team which posted a 7-0-1 record in the Canada/Russia Super Series in August/September 2007 in Russia and Canada. Twenty-one of the players have previous international experience, including 14 players who played with Canada’s National Under-18 Team and 14 who played with Canadian regional Under-17 teams at either the World Under-17 Challenge or the Canada Winter Games.

Seventeen of the players named to final roster were drafted in either the 20 NHL Entry Draft, including seven 1st round selections and six 2nd round selections. Four players are eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft while one player is eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

“Congratulations to the twenty-two young men that were named today to Canada’s National Junior Team roster,” said head coach Craig Hartsburg. ”As a coaching staff, we are looking forward to working with this group over the coming days and building these players into a cohesive unit that will make Canada proud in the Czech Republic.”

“This is an exciting day for the players, and Hockey Canada recognizes all the work that they have done to get to this point,” said Brad Pascall, Senior Director, Men’s National Teams and Communications. “Hockey Canada would also like to salute the Canadian Hockey League, the Hockey Canada branches, as well all the coaches, parents, officials and volunteers who have played such a large part in these players’ development.”

MEDIA AVAILABILITIES ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13th

When: 10 am

Where: Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire, Main entrance

When: 2:15 pm, prior to the team’s practice at 4:00 pm (a media availability will follow the practice as well)

Where: Father David Bauer Olympic Arena

MEDIA AVAILABILITY ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14th

This will be the team’s final media availability in Canada prior to departing for Europe

When: approximately 10:30 am – immediately following the team photo on ice

Where: Father David Bauer Olympic Arena, on-ice

PHONE INTERVIEWS

MEDIA INTERVIEWS WHILE IN EUROPE

Hockey Canada Manager, Communications André Brin, will be on-site with the team during pre-competition camp and the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship to assist with media requests. Please take note of the time difference between North America and Europe and make your request in advance to coordinate within the team’s schedule and media requests on-site. Priority will be given to media requests on-site.
André Brin’s contact information in Europe :
e-mail -  [email protected]
cell - 011 37 253 386 941

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Breakdown by the numbers:

Returning 2007 National Junior Team players: 2 - Karl Alzner, Brad Marchand

Program of Excellence experience:

Sixteen of the 22 players represented Canada in the 2007 Canada/Russia Super Series;

Fourteen of the 22 players have played for Canada’s National Under-18 Team;

Fourteen of the 22 players have been involved in Canada's Regional Under-17 Program of Excellence;

One player – Wayne Simmonds – will be taking part in his first international hockey experience.

By League:

8 players from the Western Hockey League (WHL)

10 players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

3 players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)

1 player from U.S. College Hockey (NCAA)

Hockey Canada branch breakdown :

8 – Ontario Hockey Federation

3 – BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Saskatchewan Hockey Association

2 – Hockey Quebec, Ottawa District Hockey Association

1 – Hockey Nova Scotia

Leadership:

players are alternate captains;

Vital statistics:

Average age: 18 years, 11 months, 28 days (as of Dec.);

By year of birth: 1988 (12 players); 1989 (8 players); 1990 (2 players)

Average height: 6’0”

Average weight: 187 lbs

Canada will play its first game of the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26th versus the Czech Republic at 2:00pm ET.

TSN/RDS, TSN HD and TSN.ca have live coverage of the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, airing December 26 to January 5 from the Czech Republic. Coverage features 11 games, including all Team Canada matches and the medal round games. Following each Team Canada game, TSN.ca will stream a live post-game show. All games will also be available on-demand on TSN.ca throughout the duration of the tournament.

Team Canada games will also be broadcast LIVE on the FAN radio network (check local listings).

Canada has medaled in nine straight World Junior Championships including: gold medal performances in 2007, 20, silver medals in 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999 and bronze medals in 20.