CALGARY, Alta. – It’s the colour associated with Saskatchewan’s favourite sports team. And, soon, green will also be the colour of Canada’s National Junior Team.

Hockey Canada announced on Saturday that Canada’s National Junior Team will wear green jerseys during the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, in honour of Saskatchewan’s love affair with the CFL’s Roughriders and as a salute to the province. Also, the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship will mark the first time the tournament has returned to Canadian cities (Regina and Saskatoon) for a second time.

The green jerseys were unveiled during the Saskatchewan-B.C. Lions game in Regina on Saturday.

“Green is the colour … hockey is the game,” says Scott Smith, chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. “It’s exciting to release a special version of the Hockey Canada jersey. We believe fans in Saskatchewan, and throughout Canada, will rally around the green jerseys prior to and during the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.”

Canada’s National Junior Team will wear the jerseys twice – once in a pre-competition game and once during the championship. Canada is attempting to win its sixth-straight IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal.

“We’re thrilled with the tribute that Hockey Canada is giving to our province and our sports fans,” says Jack Brodsky, president of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship host organizing committee. “We expect these jerseys to be a hit and can’t wait to see fans wearing them in the seats during the championship.”

The green jerseys, which were designed by Nike, will be available at SportChek, official retailer of Hockey Canada and the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, Jersey City and through the event merchandiser on-site in Regina and Saskatoon during the championship. The jerseys are available while supplies last.

Hockey Canada has also announced that it will auction off the game-worn jerseys from the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship on www.ebay.ca. Details of the auction will be released in late December.

The 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship runs from to in Regina and Saskatoon. Pre-competition games will be held in communities throughout the province. Tickets are available