CALGARY, AB – Margot Page, of Stoney Creek, ON, will return as head coach of the Canada’s National Women's Under-22 Team for the 2003-2004 season, Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday.

Page, and NCCP Advanced I certified coach, was the head coach of last year’s National Under-22 Team that captured the 2003 European Air Canada Cup in February. Page was named head coach of the Under-22 team when Karen Hughes was named head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team last season.

Page, 39, has been the only head coach in the five year history of women’s hockey at Niagara (NY) University, joining them for the 1997-1998 season. Page led the Purple Eagles to its best ever result in 2001-2002, reaching the NCAA Final Four for the first time. As a player, she captured three gold medals with Canada's National Women's Team at the 1990, 19 Women's World Hockey Championships.

Page will be joined behind the bench by Lisa MacDonald (Head Coach, St. Mary’s University (CIS)) and Peter Smith (Head Coach, McGill University (CIS)).

MacDonald, 30, has been the head coach the St. Mary’s University Women’s Hockey Team for the past six seasons. The native of Westville, NS is an Advanced I level certified coach, and was a co-recipient of the CIS Coach of the Year for 2002-03. As a player, MacDonald represented Nova Scotia at the 1991 Canada Winter Games and at the 1996 Esso National Women’s Hockey Championship.
Smith, 50, has just completed his fourth year as head coach of the McGill University Women’s Hockey team, and holds an Advanced I level coaching certification. The native of Lachine, QC has led McGill to three consecutive appearances in the CIS National Championship, and was a co-recipient of the CIS Coach of the Year for 2002-03.

The coaching staff's first responsibility will be to run a National Under-22 Team Development Camp August 10-17, 2003 in Montreal, QC. The National Women’s Under-22 Team will also face the U.S. National Under-22 Team during a 3-game series in Montreal, QC from August 18-24, 2003. Further details will be announced in late July.

Hockey Canada launched the National Under-22 Program during the 1998-1999 season. The program gives younger players an opportunity to experience international competition, on the international ice surface and to experience everything that international hockey encompasses such as international travel, different playing styles and international officiating.