CALGARY, AB – Six of Canada’s top Midget teams have gathered in Arnprior, ON, set to do battle for the 2008 TELUS Cup, beginning Monday, April 21st. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the National Midget Championship.

The Ottawa Valley Titans (Host), Calgary Buffaloes (Pacific), Winnipeg Thrashers (West), Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves (Central), Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François (Quebec) and Cole Harbour McCains (Atlantic) will take to the ice at the Nick Smith Centre hoping to earn one of the two berths in Sunday’s gold medal game.

“Looking at the level of support that this event has received from not only the town of Arnprior but also the surrounding communities, we are very excited to see the 2008 TELUS Cup get started,” said Glenn Arthur, chair of the host committee. “We are honoured to play host to the 30th anniversary of the National Midget Championship and help add another chapter to Canada’s rich Midget hockey history next week.”

The gold medal game on Sunday, April 27th will be broadcast on TSN/RDS, the official broadcaster of Hockey Canada, at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT. Check your local listings for the broadcast time in your area. In addition, all of the round-robin games at the 2008 TELUS Cup, as well as the semi-finals and bronze medal game, will be available via webcast free of charge.

Athletes at the 2008 TELUS Cup will be competing not only for a national championship, but also to raise funds for local minor hockey. Over the course of the 19-game tournament, TELUS will donate $100 to the Arnprior & Ottawa Valley Titan minor hockey associations for every goal scored, up to $5,000. This program will encourage teams to give it their all while giving back to the community.

"TELUS is committed to building long-term partnerships with hockey organizations across Canada, helping athletes focus on developing their sport rather than fundraising." said Steve Podborski, executive director of sport for TELUS. "We would like to wish everyone taking part in this great event the best of luck."

A number of future NHLers have taken part in the National Midget Championship since its inception in 1979, including many who are currently taking part in the Stanley Cup playoffs:

Daniel Briere – 1994, Intrepide de Gatineau (PHI)
Ryan Clowe – 2001, St. John’s Maple Leafs (SJ)
Sidney Crosby – 2002, Dartmouth Subways (PIT)
Simon Gagné – 1996, Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy (PHI)
Olaf Kolzig – 1987, Dartmouth Forbes (WSH)
Kristopher Letang – 2003, Gaulois du Collège Antoine-Girouard (PIT)
Joffrey Lupul – 2000, Fort Saskatchewan Rangers (PHI)
Chris Mason – 1994, Red Deer Optimist Chiefs (NSH)
Joe Sakic – 1986, Burnaby Hawks (COL)
Brad Stuart – 1996, Red Deer Optimist Chiefs (DET)
Marty Turco – 1993, Sault Ste. Marie Legion (DAL)

2008 TELUS CUP TICKETS
Full-event passes $70
Single-day passes $15
Single game (non-premier) $5
Single game (premier) $10
Playoff games $20