TORONTO, ON – The National Women’s Team gathered in Toronto, ON for a couple of practices today in preparation for the 2005 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship in Sweden which starts April 2. Most of the team skated twice at the Ice Gardens at York University, with the exception of Gillian Apps, Cherie Piper, and Sarah Vaillancourt who are not expected in until Monday morning after spending the weekend competing at the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament.

Team Canada will skate once more on Monday from 11-12 before flying out at 4:30pm. The Women’s Team is gunning to tie the IIHF record for the most consecutive championship wins, with the current record at nine in a row by the Soviet Union’s Men’s hockey team.

Head Coach Mel Davidson is eager to bring together the group of 24 that will leave for Sweden Monday, “We are waiting on three more players to arrive, and we feel that we have a great group here that is excited about the opportunity to represent Canada”

Canada will open up the championship on April 3rd with a game versus Kazakhstan at 8:00 local time. All Team Canada games will be shown on Hockey Canada’s official broadcaster, TSN and RDS, please check local listings for details.