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Hockey Canada announces leadership changes, restructuring of National Teams department

Glen McCurdie, Scott Salmond earn promotions, join executive leadership team

NR.054.18
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July 10, 2018

CALGARY, Alta. – Two long-standing executives at Hockey Canada have joined the executive leadership team alongside CEO Tom Renney, president and chief operating officer Scott Smith, chief financial officer Brian Cairo, and chief business development officer Mike Ross.

Effective July 1, Glen McCurdie (Manotick, Ont.) was promoted to senior vice-president, insurance and risk management. McCurdie previously held the role of vice-president, membership services, and will continue to oversee the safety, regulations, transfers, and insurance programs for the organization. He first joined Hockey Canada in 1988 as a manager, and has increased his responsibilities and portfolio throughout his 30-year tenure. 

Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.) was also promoted effective July 1 to the role of senior vice-president, national teams. Previously, Salmond was vice-president of hockey operations and men’s national teams, a role he assumed in June 2014 during which time he helped lead Canada to gold medals at two IIHF World Junior Championships and two IIHF World Championships, one IPC World Para Hockey Championship, a World Cup of Hockey championship, and a Spengler Cup three-peat. Salmond joined Hockey Canada in 2001 and has held increasingly senior roles in high-performance during his tenure with the organization. 

“Glen and Scott have been tremendous assets to Hockey Canada, and we’re proud to recognize their contributions and growing breadth of responsibilities with not only a change in title, but by also welcoming them to the executive leadership team,” said Smith. “Hockey Canada prides itself in delivering gold-medal performances on and off the ice, and our employees all play a role in that delivery of excellence. Glen and Scott have been a part of our organizational success, and we look forward to having them continue to play impactful roles as mentors and leaders in our organization.”

As part of Salmond’s promotion, Hockey Canada has formed a new National Teams department, bringing about a series of leadership and structural changes to the former men’s and women’s high-performance departments. 

Shawn Bullock (Wainwright, Alta.) will now oversee the men’s program in the role of director, national teams – men’s, while Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, Que.) will lead the women’s program as director, national teams – women’s. 

Bullock previously held the position of senior manager of hockey operations and men’s national teams for four years, and has been with Hockey Canada since September 2008. He most recently led Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y., capturing a gold-medal.

Kingsbury has been director, women’s national teams for the last three years. She has been part of the Hockey Canada staff since July 2015 and assisted in managing the women’s high-performance department through the Olympic centralization period as well as during the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Kingsbury claimed two Olympic gold medals as a player with Canada’s National Women’s Team (2006, 2010). 

Both Bullock and Kingsbury will be responsible for the overall vision and objectives for men’s and women’s national teams, respectively, and will work directly with Salmond.

“Shawn and Gina have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure Hockey Canada’s men’s and women’s programs operate at a world-class level, and to ensure the gold standard of success we are consistently striving for,” said Salmond. “We are excited to bring together our men’s and women’s programs under the collective National Teams department, and I look forward to working alongside Shawn and Gina as we lead our national teams in the future.”

As a result of the formation of the new National Teams department, Melody Davidson (Oyen, Alta.) has transitioned to the role of head scout, national teams – women’s, where she will work with Kingsbury and continue to recruit personnel for all national women’s teams. Davidson has been with Hockey Canada since July 2004, and most recently served as general manager, national women’s team programs. She also coached Canada’s National Women’s Team to two Olympic gold medals (2006, 2010), and won gold as an assistant coach at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. 

“Mel has been a leading force in growing the women’s game not just in Canada, but internationally, and we look forward to having her continue to be a strong asset to our high-performance department in her role as head scout for the women’s teams,” said Smith. “Her dedication to Hockey Canada and to women’s hockey is unparalleled, and our program will continue to benefit from her involvement. We worked closely with Mel and Scott in determining the new high-performance structure at Hockey Canada, and fully support her transition to focus on scouting after dedicating so many years at the helm of the women’s national team programs.” 

Hockey Canada is also well along in its process of recruiting three positions to support the organization’s mission of delivering positive hockey experiences across the country. Postings for the positions of vice-president, grow the game, vice-president, operations, and vice-president, member engagement recently closed, and the organization looks forward to sharing details on those roles in the near future. 

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

Canadian rosters named for 2024 Junior A World Challenge

Forty-four players to represent Canada East and Canada West in Camrose, Alberta

NR.089.24
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December 05, 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has named the 44 players from across the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada East and Canada West at the 2024 Junior A World Challenge, set for Dec. 9-15 in Camrose, Alberta.

Both teams were chosen following a three-day selection camp in Calgary that wrapped up Thursday.

The 22 players representing Canada East were selected from the CJHL’s five eastern leagues - the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ) and Maritime Hockey League (MHL). 

The 22 players representing Canada West come from the CJHL’s four western leagues - the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).

“Anytime there is an opportunity to bring together the best Junior A players from across the Canadian Junior Hockey League, we know difficult decisions will have to be made,” said Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. “We feel we have assembled two strong and competitive teams that will proudly represent Canada and compete for a gold medal.”

The communities of Drumheller and Wetaskiwin will host pre-tournament games on Dec. 7. Canada East will face off against Sweden at the Drumheller Memorial Arena at 3 p.m. MT, while Canada West will play the United States at 4:30 p.m. MT at Co-Op Place in Wetaskiwin.

The puck drops on the tournament at Encana Arena on Dec. 9 when Canada East, the 2023 silver medallist, opens against the United States at 3 p.m. MT, followed by Canada West, the defending gold medallist, facing Sweden at 7:30 p.m. MT.

Fans still looking to secure their seat for the 2024 Junior A World Challenge can purchase full-event ticket packages for $140, including fees, at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets. The package includes one ticket to all six preliminary-round games, both semifinals and the medal games. Mini-packages for the preliminary round and medal round are also available.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the bronze medal and gold medal games; check local listings for details.

All preliminary-round games and both semifinals will be available via Hockey Canada’s livestreaming partner at HNLive.ca.

Of the 16 gold medal games at the Junior A World Challenge, 13 have featured at least one Canadian team. Canada East will look to earn its first gold medal, having won silver eight times (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023) and bronze once (2008), while Canada West has won gold six times (2006, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2023), silver three times (2008, 2009, 2012) and bronze twice (2013, 2018).

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 Junior A World Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/WJAC, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

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Roster unveiled for 4 Nations Face-Off

23 NHL players to wear Maple Leaf at international event in Montréal and Boston

NR.087.24
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December 04, 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – Following the June unveiling of its first six players for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Hockey Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), has announced the full roster for the tournament, set for Feb. 12-20, 2025, in Montréal, Québec, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards were selected by general manager Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL), associate general manager Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL), assistant GM Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL) and director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL). Head coach Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL) and assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy (Ottawa, ON/Vegas, NHL), Peter DeBoer (Dunnville, ON/Dallas, NHL), Rick Tocchet (Scarborough, ON/Vancouver, NHL) and Misha Donskov (London, ON/Dallas, NHL) also provided input.

Hockey Canada’s executive committee, which includes Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), management group lead and general manager of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK/Anaheim, NHL), Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), president and chief executive officer, and Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy, also supported the roster selection process.

“Anticipation has been building around the Canadian roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and today we are thrilled to unveil the group of players who have earned the opportunity to represent Canada in Montréal and Boston in February,” Sweeney said. “We believe we have assembled a roster that features world-class talent, as well as success at the NHL and international levels, and we are confident this group will give us the best chance to accomplish our goal on the international stage.”

The roster includes 17 players who have suited up for Canada’s National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championship (Binnington, Cirelli, Crosby, Konecny, MacKinnon, Makar, Marchand, Marner, McDavid, Montembeault, Morrissey, Pietrangelo, Point, Reinhart, Sanheim, Stone, Theodore) and 19 who have played for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the IIHF World Championship (Binnington, Cirelli, Crosby, Hagel, Hill, Konecny, MacKinnon, Marchand, Marner, McDavid, Montembeault, Morrissey, Parayko, Pietrangelo, Point, Reinhart, Sanheim, Stone, Theodore). The players have won a combined 20 Stanley Cups, as well as three Olympic gold medals, 10 gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship, nine gold at the IIHF World Championship and five gold at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

“This is an exciting time for the NHL and international hockey, and we know our players are excited and grateful for the opportunity to play for Canada and take on the top players from the participating countries,” Cooper said. “This event is an important part of the process as we continue to build teams that can be successful on the international stage, and we look forward to our group gathering in February and competing for a championship in Montréal and Boston.”

Canada will open the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Feb. 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at the Bell Centre in Montréal. It will also take on the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Montréal and Finland on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at TD Garden in Boston before the tournament concludes with the championship game on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Boston.

For more information on the 4 Nations Face-Off, please visit the official tournament page.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on FacebookX, Instagram and TikTok.

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Easton Cowan

Roster unveiled for Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp

32 players to compete for World Juniors roster spots in Ottawa

NR.086.24
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December 02, 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – With less than one month until the puck drops on the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, Hockey Canada has announced the 32 players who have earned an invitation to Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp, set for Dec. 10-13 at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario.

Four goaltenders, 10 defencemen and 18 forwards were selected by U20 head scout Al Murray (Regina, SK) and the management group, which includes Peter Anholt (Naicam, SK/Lethbridge, WHL) and Brent Seabrook (Tsawwassen, BC), with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), director of hockey operations, and player development coach Scott Walker (Cambridge, ON/Guelph, OHL). Head coach Dave Cameron (Kinkora, PE/Ottawa, OHL), U17 head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, AB) and goaltending consultant Dan De Palma (Kamloops, BC/Kamloops, WHL), as well as coaches and general managers from across the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), also provided input.

“We are excited to announce the 32 players who have earned invitations to selection camp in Ottawa, and begin the road to our ultimate goal of winning a World Junior Championship gold medal on home ice,” Murray said. “This is a talented group of young players that is determined to represent Canada with pride over the holidays, and we expect a highly competitive camp with several difficult decisions when determining our final roster.”

Among the 32 players competing for a chance to represent Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa are seven players who were named to the roster for the 2024 World Juniors (Bonk, Cowan, Molendyk, Ratzlaff, Rehkopf, Wood, Yager), as well as eight who won gold at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship (Beaudoin, Brunicke, George, Ivankovic, Luchanko, Martone, McKenna, Schaefer) and three who captured a gold medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Ivankovic, McKenna, Schaefer).

Selection camp will include a pair of games against a team of U SPORTS all-stars, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. ET and Dec. 13 at 12 p.m. ET. Fans looking to secure their seat for the selection camp games can purchase tickets at HockeyCanada.ca/WorldJuniors, with two-game packages starting at $52 and individual-game tickets starting as low as $35. Both games will also be livestreamed at HNLive.ca.

Following selection camp, Canada’s National Junior Team will travel to Petawawa, Ontario, for a four-day training camp at the Silver Dart Arena, Dec. 15-18, in preparation for the 2025 World Juniors. Team Canada will also take on Switzerland, Sweden and Czechia in pre-tournament action on the Road to the World Juniors.

“We are thrilled for the 32 players who have earned the opportunity to compete for a spot on Canada’s National Junior Team at the World Juniors, and we look forward to a starting the final piece of our evaluation process at selection camp,” Anholt said. “We are also excited to bring our team to Ottawa and Petawawa, and to give fans an opportunity to see the best under-20 Canadian players take on a U SPORTS all-star team before the start of the tournament.”

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship begins on Boxing Day with four games, which includes Canada taking on Finland at the Canadian Tire Centre at 7:30 p.m. ET. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will once again provide extensive coverage of the event, broadcasting all 29 tournament games and all three Team Canada pre-tournament games.

Hockey Canada has also announced the return of Canada’s Ultimate 50/50, presented by Tim Hortons, which is bigger than ever for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. For the very first time, fans in 11 Provinces and Territories can participate in the World Juniors and support grassroots hockey initiatives in their community by purchasing 50/50 tickets for three main draws (Dec. 4-26, Dec. 26-31, Dec. 31-Jan. 5). Net proceeds will support the growth and retention of hockey, women’s and girls’ hockey and initiatives that make the game safer. For more information, please visit HockeyCanada5050.ca.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Junior Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

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National Para Hockey Team roster announced for 2024 Para Cup

Eighteen players to wear the Maple Leaf in Charlottetown

NR.083.24
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November 29, 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the 18 players who will be a part of Canada’s National Para Hockey Team at the 2024 Para Cup, Dec. 8-14 in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Three goaltenders, five defence and 10 forwards were selected by head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, ON/York University, OUA) and Adam Janssen (Richmond Hill, ON), manager of hockey operations. Assistant coaches Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, AB), Mike Fountain (Gravenhurst, ON), Liam Heelis (Georgetown, ON), Boris Rybalka (Vernon, BC) and Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON) also provided input.

“The Para Cup is an exciting event as we showcase our game to Canadians across the country, and we are thrilled to bring the tournament back to Charlottetown this year,” Herrington said. “We are anticipating strong competition from China, Czechia and the United States, but we have prepared a competitive group set to represent Canada next month.”

The roster features 16 players who won a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship in Calgary (Armstrong, Boily, Burnett, Cozzolino, Dixon, Dunn, Halbert, Henry, Hickey, Jacobs-Webb, Kingsmill, Kovacevich, Lavin, Lelièvre, McGregor, Watson).

Canada’s National Para Hockey Team selected its roster from the 32 players who participated in evaluation camp, Sept. 27–Oct. 2 in Elmira, Ontario.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the medal games on Saturday, Dec. 14; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and both semifinals will be livestreamed at HNLive.ca.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

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2025-26 Hockey Canada participant service fees

New fee structure ensures safety, sustainability and development of hockey in Canada

November 29, 2024

Effective for the 2025-26 season, Hockey Canada participants will notice a change in the structure of their annual service fees that directly support benefits provided by the national governing body, including sport safety and hockey development initiatives.

Participants will pay $41.41 in service fees next season, including insurance, which is an increase of $11.68.*

The majority of the increase is related to the participant assessment fee, which has not been raised in over 20 years.

The participant service fees will be structured as follows:

  • Assessment fee will increase from $3.00/participant to $10.00/participant
  • Sport Integrity fee will increase from $2.94/participant to $4.50/participant
  • Hockey Canada Registry fee will be $3.12/participant
  • Participant insurance fees will not increase for the 2025-26 season and remain $23.79/participant.

We thank you for your understanding of these changes to our service fees for next season that are necessary to ensure the development, sustainability and safety of Canada’s hockey system.

*In Quebec, participants will pay $39.00, which is an increase of $10.12, as they have a different fee structure based on provincial legislation.

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Hockey Canada and Force Sports launch The First Whistle program

In partnership with Force Sports, the new initiative looks to reduce entry barriers for officials

NR.085.24
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November 29, 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and Force Sports have announced The First Whistle, a new program designed to reduce barriers to entry for officials, including for women and individuals from underrepresented communities.

Primarily targeting newly certified officials, the program looks to increase registrations by using jerseys loaned to approved minor hockey associations and limiting the cost barriers for prospective officials.

“Officiating is such a tremendous way for participants of all ages to be involved in hockey and we recognize that across the country, there are existing barriers impacting entry-level opportunities for interested officials,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating for Hockey Canada. “In partnership with Force Sports, we hope that The First Whistle can help minor hockey associations recruit more officials and ultimately create lifelong engagement with hockey for participants in the program, which will benefit Hockey Canada, our Members and participants.”

“Through this program and our partnership with Hockey Canada, Force Sports hopes to reduce the barriers to entry for those wanting to try officiating,” said Dave Martin, president of Force Sports.

More information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program can be found here.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on FacebookX, Instagram and TikTok.

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Rosters announced for Junior A World Challenge selection camp

60 hopefuls vie for a spot on Canada East and Canada West rosters

NR.084.24
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November 28, 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 60 players from the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) who have earned invitations to Canada East and Canada West selection camp in advance of the 2024 Junior A World Challenge.

Beginning Dec.3, the invitees will gather in Calgary to participate in practices and play a pair of intrasquad games as part of the final evaluation process by management and coaching staffs.

The final East and West rosters will be named Dec. 5 in advance of the tournament, which runs from Dec. 9-15 in Camrose, Alberta.

The Canada East roster will be selected from the CJHL’s five eastern leagues: the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ) and Maritime Hockey League (MHL). Canada West will include players from the four western leagues: the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).

“This is the first time since 2022 we are taking the opportunity to hold a camp before naming our teams for the Junior A World Challenge,” said Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. “In partnership with the CJHL, we have identified the top 60 Junior A players in the country. We expect a competitive three days before we narrow our rosters down to the two teams that will proudly represent Canada in Camrose.”

Ahead of the tournament, the Canadian teams will play a pair of pre-tournament games on Dec. 7. Canada East will face off against Sweden at the Drumheller Memorial Arena at 3 p.m. MT, while Canada West will play the United States at 4:30 p.m. MT at Co-Op Place in Wetaskiwin.

The puck drops on the tournament Dec. 9 when Canada East, the 2023 silver medallist, opens against the United States at 3 p.m. MT, followed by Canada West, the defending gold medallist, facing Sweden at 7:30 p.m. MT.

Of the 16 gold medal games at the Junior A World Challenge, 13 have featured at least one Canadian team. Canada East will look to earn its first gold medal, having won silver eight times (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023) and bronze once (2008), while Canada West has won gold six times (2006, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2023), silver three times (2008, 2009, 2012) and bronze twice (2013, 2018).

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 Junior A World Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/WJAC, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

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Hockey Canada and Canlan Sports extend partnership through 2027

Organizations are continuing to work together to grow recreational hockey across Canada

NR.082.24
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November 27, 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced a three-year partnership extension with Canlan Sports through the 2026-27 season that will continue to welcome over 80,000 adult recreational hockey participants to Canada’s sanctioned hockey system, and allow both organizations and Hockey Canada’s Members to collaborate on initiatives to grow the game across the country.

In addition to its adult recreational programming, Canlan runs learn to skate and select introductory hockey programs for participants, helps to deliver minor hockey tournaments, and provides practice and game ice for minor hockey associations across Canada with its 11 sports complexes in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

“Hockey Canada’s partnership with Canlan is critical to helping us grow the game at all levels and we are excited to work with them to introduce more youth and adults to hockey,” said Darren Cossar, senior vice-president of member engagement for Hockey Canada. “Together with our Members, we have a tremendous opportunity to build on our partnership with Canlan to enhance the programs offered to participants and learn from the successes of the Adult Safe Hockey League (ASHL) and ASHL Affiliate Leagues.”

The partnership between Hockey Canada and Canlan began in 2011 and will celebrate 15 seasons during the 2025-26 campaign.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Hockey Canada as we look to highlight all of the positive benefits the game of hockey has to offer participants and the growth opportunities for the sport with different audiences across the country,” said Joey St-Aubin, president and CEO for Canlan Sports.

Throughout the partnership, Hockey Canada and its Members will continue to work with Canlan to welcome new participants to the game, including women and girls, new Canadians, families facing financial barriers, and equity-deserving groups.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on FacebookX, Instagram and TikTok. To learn more about Canlan Sports, please visit canlansports.com.

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National Women's Development Team Roster Named for Women's Euro Hockey Tour

23 players to compete for Canada in tournament for first time in December

NR.081.24
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November 26, 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 23 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team as part of the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour, Dec. 11-15 in Tampere, Finland.

Three goaltenders, seven defence and 13 forwards were selected by Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of scouting and player development, in consultation with head coach Alison Domenico (Ottawa, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA), as well as assistant coaches Rachel Flanagan (Pontypool, ON/Toronto, PWHL) and Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE), and goaltending consultant Katie Greenway (Guelph, ON/University of Guelph).

“The 23 players that will represent Canada are a testament to the depth we have within our program and our ongoing effort to continue developing our athletes at all levels,” Piper said. “The Women’s Euro Hockey Tour will give our staff a unique opportunity to assess our development athletes in international competition, and we look forward to watching these players compete in Finland and evaluating player growth this season.”

The roster includes eight players who captured gold at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Madison, Wisconsin (Adam, Amos, Baxter, Henderson, Law, MacLeod, Murphy, Swiderski), as well as seven players  who won gold at the 2023 U18 Women’s Worlds in Östersund, Sweden (Amos, Baxter, Kraemer, Law, Murphy, Pais, Venusio) and three players (Kraemer, Murdoch, Venusio) who won bronze at the 2024 edition of the tournament in Zug, Switzerland.

The six-team tournament features Canada in Group B with Czechia and Sweden, while Group A includes Finland, Switzerland and the United States. Canada will open the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour against Sweden on Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT and will take on Czechia to wrap up the preliminary round on Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

“The Women’s Euro Hockey Tour is a fantastic opportunity for our National Women’s Development Team to gain valuable experience on the international stage,” said Dylan Rockwell (Calgary, AB), senior manager of hockey operations. “This tournament will be an important step in the development and assessment of our athletes for the future of Team Canada looking ahead to the Olympic quadrennials in 2030 and 2034.”

Canada’s National Women’s Development Team will participate in the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour for the first time. With joint commitment from Czechia, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, the December stop on the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour will feature Canada and the United States annually through 2028, aside from the 2026 Olympic year.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

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Fan Fest headlines free activities in Ottawa during 2025 World Juniors

Canada’s National Junior Team hopefuls to play two games against U SPORTS All-Stars in Ottawa

NR.080.24
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November 16, 2024

OTTAWA, Ontario – Hockey Canada has announced that beginning Dec. 26, fans in the National Capital Region will be able to experience the excitement of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship with free admission to Fan Fest, which is open to fans of all ages throughout the tournament.

Open each game day at Aberdeen Pavilion from 2-10 p.m. ET, Fan Fest is a licensed venue and will host watch parties for all games and include live bands, DJs, hockey programming, exhibits, merchandise kiosks and much more.

On Dec. 31, Fan Fest will broadcast Canada’s preliminary-round finale against the United States at 7:30 p.m. ET and remain open until midnight, when New Year’s Eve fireworks will light up the sky. 

“The most exciting part about Fan Fest at the World Juniors is that there truly will be something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of one of the competing teams in the tournament or a family looking to celebrate having one of the most iconic hockey events in the world being hosted in Ottawa,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “With Fan Fest taking place steps away from TD Place and the Ottawa Christmas Market, we anticipate there will be no better place to gather and watch the World Juniors than at Aberdeen Pavilion from Boxing Day to when the gold medals are handed out on Jan. 5.”

More information about Fan Fest can be found here.

Exhibition games against U SPORTS All-Stars

Hockey Canada has also announced that as part of Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp in Ottawa, Team Canada hopefuls will play two games against the U SPORTS All-Stars on Dec. 12 and 13.

Tickets will go on sale at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets on Nov. 20 following a presale for Hockey Canada Insiders.

Livestream information will be announced in the coming weeks.

Indigenous engagement

Hockey Canada has collaborated with the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and Mohawks of Akwesasne, three local Indigenous communities to integrate Indigenous elements into all facets of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Each community will receive a minimum of 100 tickets for their youth to attend games and have activation space for cultural showcases at Fan Fest.

As well, Esso will present each player of the game with specially designed canoe paddles, while all 350 TELUS volunteers will receive beaded belt bags.

There will also be a Team Canada jersey designed by an Indigenous artist showcased throughout activations during the tournament.

First game program for New Canadians

More than 150 New Canadians will be welcomed to their first hockey game at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Families will receive tickets, transportation to and from the game, Hockey Canada merchandise and in-game recognition as part of the program, which is being added to the World Juniors for the first time.

Community engagement events

Hockey Eastern Ontario will also run development sessions leading up to and throughout the World Juniors, including skill sessions and instructional streams in five of the communities hosting competing teams before the World Juniors.

Additional initiatives that will increase accessibility and sustainability will be announced in the coming weeks, with the World Juniors vying to achieve certified sustainable event status from the Council for Responsible Sport.

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship was awarded to Ottawa in June 2023 following a successful bid partnership between the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), Ottawa Tourism, Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), the City of Ottawa and the Province of Ontario.

Tickets remain available for select World Juniors games.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on FacebookX and Instagram.

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For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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BFL: Celebrating the best behind the bench
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HCF: Assist Fund in Action – Simon
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HCF: Dreams Come True in Membertou
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MWC: Highlights – SWE 4, CAN 2 (Bronze Medal)
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MWC: Highlights – SUI 3, CAN 2 SO (Semifinal)
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MWC: Highlights – CAN 6, SVK 3 (Quarterfinal)
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MWC: Highlights – CAN 4, CZE 3 OT (Preliminary)
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MWC: Remembering the wild ride in Riga
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Centennial: Highlights – Collingwood 1, Melfort 0 (Championship)
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MWC: Highlights – CAN 3, SUI 2 (Preliminary)
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MWC: Highlights – CAN 5, FIN 3 (Preliminary)
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NMT: Evason brings passion and pride to Prague
Schedule
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San Jose, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Boise, ID | Halifax, NS | Summerside, PE
Date: Nov 6 to Feb 8
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Camrose, AB, Canada
Date: Dec 9 to 15
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Ottawa, ON, Canada
Date: Dec 10 to 13
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Tampere, Findland
Date: Dec 11 to 15
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Davos, SUI
Date: Dec 26 to 31
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Ottawa, Ontario
Date: Dec 26 to Jan 5