NR121

August 31, 2005
NR121

FIVE GAMES ADDED TO THE 2006 WORLD UNDER-20 PRE-COMPETITION SCHEDULE;
TEN GAME PRE-COMPETITON SCHEDULE NOW SET FOR DECEMBER IN BC

CALGARY – Hockey Canada and the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship Organizing Committee announced on Wednesday the final series of pre-competition games that will take place in British Columbia. With the addition of the five games announced on Wednesday, a total of 10 pre-competition games will take place in nine different communities across British Columbia in December in advance of the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship. 

Five pre-competition games that were announced on Wednesday will take place in Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster and Victoria, adding to the games in the previously announced locations of Kelowna, Powell River, Kamloops, Chilliwack and Vernon. 

All 10 countries participating at the World U-20 Championship are now confirmed to be hosting their pre-competition camps and games in British Columbia in December.

“We are happy to have the participation of all ten teams in the pre-competition camps and games” said Stuart Ballantyne, GM of the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship.  “It is a privilege for us to have the support of the communities throughout British Columbia and we are looking forward to working with them to host a great pre-competition schedule leading up to the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship beginning December 26.”

2006 World Under 20 Pre-CompetitionGame schedule/ticket information:

• Tuesday, December 20 | CAN – CZE
  Kelowna Arena (Prospera Place) - 7:00 pm PT
  TICKETS ON SALE NOW: (as part of a package) via Select Your Tickets @ (250)762-5050

• Wednesday, December 21 | FIN – LAT
  Burnaby (Bill Copeland Arena - 7:00 pm PT
  Tickets:  Call the Burnaby Express Hockey Club office at 604-473-4625 or visit www.burnabyexpress.com

• Wednesday, December 21 | USA – SWE
  Victoria (Bear Mountain Arena) - 7:00 pm PT
  Tickets: Ticket package of two games will go on sale October 10, 2005 and are available at the Salsa/Grizzlies box office at Bear Mountain Arena (250) 385 1555

• Thursday, December 22 | SVK – LAT
  New Westminster (Queen’s Park Arena) - 7:00 pm PT
  Tickets:  For tickets information call Queen’s Park Arena at (604) 777 5111

• Thursday, December 22 | NOR – USA
  Powell River Recreation Complex - 7:00 pm PT
  Tickets: Can be reserved now. Will go on sale September 1, 2005.Call Powell River Recreation Complex Box Office at: (604)485-7550 Attention Lisa Porter for Ticket Info

• Thursday, December 22 | CAN – RUS
  Kamloops Arena - 7:00 pm PT
  TICKETS ON SALE NOW (as part of a package) via the Interior Savings Centre Box Office at (250)828-3339

• Thursday, December 22 | CZE – SUI
  Chilliwack Arena (Prospera Centre) - 7:00 pm PT
  Tickets: Call Barry Douglas (604) 795-7300. Ticket go on sale on October 17

• Friday, December 23 | RUS – SUI
  Vernon Multi-Use facility - 7:00 pm PT
  Tickets: Call Vernon Multi-Use Facility Box Office at (250)542 5623

• Friday, December 23 | FIN – SVK
  N. Delta (Sungod Recreation Centre) - 7:00 pm PT
  Tickets: Tickets will go on sale the week of October 3rd.  Call the Delta Parks, Recreation and Culture customer service office at (604) 952-3000

• Friday, December 23 | SWE – NOR
  Victoria (Bear Mountain Arena) - 7:00 pm PT
  Tickets: Ticket package of two games will go on sale October 10, 2005 and are available at the Salsa/Grizzlies box office at Bear Mountain Arena (250) 385 1555

Teams will train in the following communities in December, prior to the World Junior Championship:

(Dates TBD)
Czech Republic – Chilliwack
Finland – Burnaby
Latvia – New Westminster
Norway – Powell River
Russia – Vernon
Slovakia – Ladner/Delta
Sweden – Victoria
Switzerland – Mission (no game, training camp only)
USA – Victoria

For more information on the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship, visit the official website of the event and Hockey Canada: www.hockeycanada.ca .

» 2006 National Junior Team Site

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Brad Pascall
Director, Communications
Hockey Canada
403-777-4556
bpascall@hockeycanada.ca

Sean Kelso
Coordinator, Media Relations
Hockey Canada
403-777-4552
403-880-5819
skelso@hockeycanada.ca

Mathieu Litalien
Coordinator, Media Relations
Hockey Canada
403-777-3609
mlitalien@hockeycanada.ca