CALGARY – National Women’s Team head coach and general manager Melody Davidson announced on Tuesday that Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, ON) has been added to Canada’s roster as an alternate for the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Championship.

The 17-year-old Johnston joins goaltender Sami Jo Small and defencemen Annie Guay and Cathy Chartrand as alternates, in addition to the 20 players named to the roster for the championship.

“Rebecca has had a year filled with tremendous experiences, and the world championship will continue to add to her resume as she strives to be a future member of the National Women’s Team,” said Davidson. “We’re very excited to have her as a part of our team for the IIHF World Women’s Championship in Manitoba.”

Johnston attended the National Women’s Team Fall Festival in Kenora, ON in November, 2006, recording three points (two goals, one assist) in six games.

She captured a gold medal with Ontario’s Under-18 team at the Canada Winter Games last week in Whitehorse, YT, finishing with eight goals and 13 points in five games. Johnston was also a member of Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team at the 2007 European Air Canada Cup in Ravensburg, Germany, where she registered nine points (three goals, six assists) in five games to help Canada win its fifth consecutive title at the event, and for a three-game series against the USA in Ottawa, ON in August, 2006, scoring once and adding an assist as Canada won two of the three games.

The 2007 IIHF World Women’s Championship takes place April 3-10 in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba. Tickets are still available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.ca/iihf and by calling 204-780-3333.