CHL centres to host Canada-Russia Challenge

TORONTO, Tuesday, September 20th, 2005 (CHL) – The Canadian Hockey League today announced details surrounding the 2005 ADT Canada/Russia Challenge that will be held in six CHL centers beginning on November 21.

The Drummondville Voltigeurs will host the first game of the series at Centre Marcel-Dionne on November 21. The second game will be played at the Coliseum in Moncton, NB on November 23. The Kitchener Rangers will host the first OHL-based game on November 24 followed by the Peterborough Petes on November 28. The series will conclude in the WHL with the Saskatoon Blades hosting on November 30 and the Regina Pats hosting the finale on December 1.

All six games will be broadcast nationally on Rogers Sportsnet and the two QMJHL-hosted games will be broadcast live in Quebec on RDS.

We are very excited about hosting the third chapter in this very exciting event,” said CHL President David Branch. We have seen a dramatic improvement in the level of competition over the past two years and look forward to another outstanding series this year. The participating CHL players recognize that the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge is the final step in the evaluation process for our National Junior Team and will be anxious for the opportunity to compete in this prestigious event.”

Each league has a management team who will work with Hockey Canada to select the roster of players who will represent each regional league. The CHL rosters will be announced in October.

Anytime the two countries of Canada and Russia face-off in international hockey it is exciting because of the strong tradition of hockey in these countries," said Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson. "Hockey fans in Canada can expect some exciting hockey with this series, that only the international game can provide."

This is ADT’s second year as title sponsor of the ADT Canada/Russia Challenge. Last year’s series was a great success and we look forward to building upon that success in terms of recognition, attendance and the continued high caliber of competition” said Mike Snyder, President of ADT North America.

The Canadian Hockey League introduced the Canada-Russia Challenge in six CHL cities two years ago. The series drew capacity crowds last year in Mississauga, Barrie, Red Deer and Lethbridge along with strong attendance in Montreal and Quebec City. Thousands more tuned in to watch the series on Rogers Sportsnet and RDS. The CHL won four of the six games from last year and two games went to a shoot out. 20 of the players that played for Canada’s gold medal team in last years World Junior Championships played in the CHL Canada-Russia Challenge in 2004.

Canada and Russia have finished first and second in the World Junior Championships 10 times in the past 18 years, including last year when Canada defeated Russia 6-1 to win the gold medal in North Dakota. Russia has 12 gold medals in World Junior play. Canada is second on the all-time list with 11.

The 2005 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge is supported by CHL associate sponsors CGC, Bell, NAPA and Slam!

<b>2005 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge</b>
<b>Schedule of Games</b>

Game 1 – Monday, November 21 at Drummondville, Quebec
Game 2 – Wednesday, November 23 at Moncton, New Brunswick
Game 3 – Thursday, November 24 at Kitchener, Ontario
Game 4 – Monday, November 28 at Peterborough, Ontario
Game 5 – Wednesday, November 30 at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Game 6 – Thursday, December 1 at Regina, Saskatchewan