OTTAWA, Ont. – Several initiatives related to the safety, growth and development of hockey across the country will be discussed during Hockey Canada’s 96th annual meeting, which runs from Thursday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Westin Ottawa.

The event coincides with the 100th anniversary of Hockey Canada on Dec. 4; a gala evening will be held Thursday at the Ottawa Convention Centre to celebrate the milestone, and the Hockey Canada Board of Directors will hold a ceremonial meeting Thursday morning at the Fairmont Château Laurier, 100 years to the day after the first-ever meeting of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association.

More than 250 representatives from regional and provincial hockey associations are gathering in Ottawa for Hockey Canada’s annual meeting, with the Hockey Canada Board of Directors to be joined by Life Patrons and partner organizations, as well as councils that oversee female hockey, junior hockey, minor hockey, senior hockey and hockey development. These representatives come together annually to set Hockey Canada’s direction and help the growth of the game.

Hockey Canada’s annual meeting will address topics that include player recruitment and retention, technology, e-learning, player safety, national championship hosting, and regulation changes, and will also include the election of a new chairman and board of directors.

Due to governance changes, the Hockey Canada annual meeting has moved from its traditional late May dates to dates in the late fall, beginning with this week’s meeting.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Please contact Francis Dupont, Hockey Canada’s manager of communications, at [email protected] or 587-999-5681 if you would like to attend any of the plenary sessions or to interview delegates.

As Hockey Canada celebrates its 100th anniversary, the Century Tour is travelling across the country, celebrating Canada’s game throughout the season with support from Respect Group, Heritage Canada, TELUS, Samsung and Canadian Tire. Visiting 100 communities, the tour brings with it several interactive elements. From the Century Tour caravan powered by Samsung, to the TELUS Family Fan Zone and more, the tour has something for fans of all ages. At every stop, the Century Tour also honours a Canadian Tire Hero of Play, someone who has donated time and effort over several years back into their local hockey community.

To find out more about the Hockey Canada Century Tour, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/centurytour or follow through social media using #CenturyTour at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and @HockeyCanada on Instagram.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, and follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and www.instagram.com/hockeycanada.