CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada announced Tuesday that tickets for the inaugural World Sport School Challenge, taking place Dec. 26-31 at the WinSport Canada Athletic and Ice Complex at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, will go on sale starting today.

The World Sport School Challenge was developed in line with a commitment made by Hockey Canada’s officers and branches, “to service sport schools and create a positive and flexible infrastructure that meets the needs of this Hockey Canada customer.” This is one of six priorities of focus the organization committed to in August.

Full tournament ticket packages for the 2011 World Sport School Challenge are available starting Nov. 1 via www.HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets, for just $40 each. That price includes admission to all 17 games, including nine preliminary round games, quarterfinals, semifinals, the bronze medal game and gold medal game. Single-game ticket prices will be announced at a later date.

This event will bring together six teams from western Canada, northern United States and Europe, including boys’ prep teams from Edge School for Athletes (Calgary, Alta.), Okanagan Hockey Academy (Penticton, B.C.), Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy (Kelowna, B.C.) and Shattuck-St. Mary’s School (Faribault, Minn.), along with national under-17 teams from Finland and Slovakia.

“Hockey Canada is excited to host the first-ever World Sport School Challenge in our new home at Canada Olympic Park,” said Scott Smith, chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. “We believe hosting this international tournament is a fantastic way to address one of Hockey Canada’s top priorities for the 2011-12 season and to foster and support our growing relationship with sport schools.”

“The World Sport School Challenge will give students attending Canadian sport schools the chance to play at a higher level, refine their skills and show the country they can excel internationally,” said Andy Oakes, event chair and president of Okanagan Hockey Academy. “Having Hockey Canada proactively work with sport schools to make this happen adds much to the development of many up-and-coming young players, who may one day end up wearing the maple leaf on their jerseys.”

Across the country, Hockey Canada currently endorses about 10 sport schools, which have formal partnerships with educational institutions with the aim to enhance learning opportunities for students while also developing their hockey skills.