CALGARY – It is the goaltenders turn in the spotlight as Hockey Canada celebrates Goaltending Week in week three of Puck Drop ’07, the kick-off to the 2007-08 hockey season.

Do you want resources to make you a better goaltender – drills and tips?

Information on the goaltender equipment changes that will come into effect for the 2008-09 season?

How about articles from National Men’s Teams goaltending consultant Corey Hirsch and other goaltenders?

“Canada has a history of producing some of the world’s best goaltenders,” says Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson. “With the resources we have in place, and the instructors we have from coast to coast, we feel we can continue on this path.”

Goaltending Week will also feature the launch of the popular ITECH Design-A-Mask contest. For the fifth consecutive year, Canadians 18 years old and younger will have a chance to see their designs worn on the masks of Canada’s goaltenders at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Two winners, one in the 12-and-under category and one in the 13-to-18 category, will be chosen by ITECH’s goaltender advisory staff and will receive their own hand-painted mask with their winning design, autographed by every member of Canada’s 2008 National Junior Team.

Check out www.hockeycanada.ca and www.itech.com for more information.

Hockey Canada, in participation with its 13 Branches and thousands of minor hockey associations across the country, will celebrate the more than 550,000 players who take to the ice each season, along with the coaches, officials and administrators who shape the game, during the five-week event. Each week during Puck Drop ’07 will be themed differently, celebrating unique aspects of the game.

PUCK DROP ’07 THEME WEEKS

September 8th to 16th – Volunteer Week

September 17th to 23rd – Coaching Week

September 24th to 30th – Goaltending Week

October 1st to 7th – Officiating Week

October 8th to 14th – Facilities Week