VIERUMÄKI, Finland – Canada’s National Women’s Team opens the 2011 IIHF 12 Nations Women’s Invitational Tournament on Wednesday, August 24 when it takes on Switzerland (7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT) in the first of six games for Canada at the tournament.

The 2011 IIHF 12 Nations Women’s Invitational Tournament was created as part of the IIHF initiative to grow the women’s game leading up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. The tournament will mark the first time outside the IIHF World Women’s Championship and Olympic Winter Games that the world’s top teams will face off. No medals will be awarded at this event.

The coaching staff for this event and the 2011 4 Nations Cup is comprised of head coach Dan Church (Toronto, Ont./York University, OUA) and assistant coaches Doug Derraugh (Arnprior, Ont./Cornell University, ECAC) and Danielle Goyette (St-Nazaire, Que./University of Calgary, Canada West).

There will be no TV or radio coverage of the event. Hockey Canada’s official website, www.hockeycanada.ca, is the place to find complete coverage of Canada at the tournament.