CALGARY, AB – Twenty-two of Canada’s top female hockey players will take to the ice in Calgary starting on Monday for Canada’s National Women’s Team January evaluation camp, Hockey Canada announced on Thursday. Canada’s coaching staff, led by Head Coach Peter Smith, will use this camp as another evaluation tool as it has done all season, selecting a number of players to attend camps and events, chosen from a large overall group of top women’s players in Canada.

The National Women’s Team evaluation camp next week is an important step leading towards Hockey Canada naming its team for the 2008 IIHF World Women’s Championship, April 4-13, 2008 in Harbin, China. Hockey Canada’s scouting and coaching staff will take into account its player evaluations and performances from a number of events when selecting the roster that will represent Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Women’s Championship – including the 2007 National Women’s Team Fall Festival in Prince George, BC, the 2007 4 Nations Cup in Leksand, Sweden, the 2008 January evaluation camp as well as Under-22 and Under-18 events. Smith will name Canada’s World Championship roster in March.

The January evaluation camp, which runs Monday through Sunday, January 27th, will be held at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary. Team Canada will practice daily and will also play four exhibition games against Calgary-based Midget AAA boys teams.

“Canada has no shortage of talented and experienced hockey players,” says Peter Smith, head coach of the National Women’s Team for the 2007-08 season. “As a coaching staff, we expect this camp to be fast-paced and very competitive. We’re moving closer to the world championship, which puts a lot of emphasis on this camp.”

Hockey Canada has announced roster changes for the January evaluation camp. Lara Perks (Trenton, ON/Mississauga, CWHL) was named to the original camp roster but cannot attend due to injury. She will be replaced by Kelly Bechard (Sedley, SK/Calgary, WWHL). Also, Marie-Philip Poulin (Beauceville, QC/Montreal, CWHL) has been added to the roster.
Bechard helped Team Canada win gold at the 2007 4 Nations Cup in November in Sweden. Poulin recently led the IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship in scoring with 14 points in five games as Canada won silver.

EXHIBITION GAME SCHEDULE (All games are at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena)
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008: Canada vs. Calgary Royals, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 25th, 2008: Canada vs. UFA Bisons, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 26th, 2008: Canada vs. Edge School, 1 p.m.
Sunday, January 27th, 2008: Canada vs. Calgary Buffaloes, 11 a.m.
TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets ($5) are available at the door prior to games. Children aged 12 and under get into games for free.

All practices are at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena and are open to the public free of charge

Note to media: Team Canada’s players and coaches will be available following practices and games only. There will not be media availability prior to practices and games, unless otherwise noted. Please contact Chris Jurewicz for more information. He can be reached at (403) 880-5819.