CALGARY, Alta. – The nation’s capital will serve as the backdrop for the Capital City Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring Canada’s National Women’s Team and three national men’s under-17 teams.

Preliminary-round action kicks off on Friday, Nov. 26 at TD Place Arena, home of the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League. Canada’s centralization roster will face Team Canada White in the tournament opener at 12 p.m. ET, followed by Team Canada Black taking on Team Canada Red at 7 p.m. ET.

The Capital City Challenge will serve as a one-time event to replace the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, while providing an opportunity for Canada’s National Women’s Team to compete as part of its centralization schedule.

“This is a unique opportunity for our 2005-born men’s players, who will step on the ice with Hockey Canada for the first time after only being able to connect virtually over the past few months,” said Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations with Hockey Canada. “We look forward to gathering in Ottawa as we begin to put our off-ice work into practice, and the Capital City Challenge provides an opportunity to introduce our under-17 athletes to the Program of Excellence while supporting Canada’s National Women’s Team in its preparations for the Olympics.”

Preliminary-round action concludes on Monday, Nov. 29, followed by the semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 30. The medal games will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 1.

“We are once again presented with an opportunity to face competition that will test us and challenge our team in different ways,” said Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, Que.), director of hockey operations with Hockey Canada. “In addition to our games against the United States, Finland and Junior A clubs, playing under-17 teams in this short-term competition gives us another layer of preparation and evaluation for our players and coaching staff.”

Full-event ticket packages for the Capital City Challenge can be purchased for $80 (plus applicable fees), while single-game tickets are available starting as low as $5. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. ET at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Hockey Canada fall event plan unveiled

Following the cancellation of its fall events in September, Hockey Canada has announced its plan to support its national team programs and events over the coming months.

• Regional women’s under-18 events to be hosted by Hockey Canada Members (ongoing)
• Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp – Dec. 9-12 in Calgary
• Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp – Dec. 26-30 in Toronto
• Spengler Cup – Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland (Canada’s National Men’s Team)
• 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship – Jan. 9-16 in Linköping and Mjölby, Sweden

The full season schedule for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will be announced next week.

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