SALMON ARM, BC – The Women's Under-18 Hockey Challenge starts today in Salmon Arm, BC. The tournament runs from January 26 through January 30. The Challenge consists of a round robin format with two pools of four teams. It also includes a playoff round of two semi final games, a bronze medal game, and a gold/silver medal game.

Team Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and British Columbia, along with a representative from the Atlantic Provinces will join two teams from Ontario to compete for the National Challenge.

This is the first stage in the Female Program of Excellence. Many of these players will go on to play for Canada’s National Under-22 team, and the Senior Women’s team that compete at the World Women’s Championship and Winter Olympics.

All games will be covered by the Real-time stats program. For game scores and summaries, tournament leaders, and tournament standings, please visit the official web site of Hockey Canada at www.hockeycanada.ca