CHL centres to host RE/MAX Canada/Russia Challenge
Toronto – The Canadian Hockey League today announced details surrounding the 2003 RE/MAX Canada/Russia Challenge that will be held in six CHL centers in November.
rThe London Knights will host the first game of the historic series at the John Labatt Centre on Monday November 17. The Sarnia Sting will host the second game of the series on Wednesday November 19. The Halifax Mooseheads (Thursday November 20) and Rimouski Oceanic (Monday November 24) will host the QMJHL games and the Calgary Hitmen (Wednesday November 26) and Brandon Wheat Kings (Thursday November 27) of the Western Hockey League will host the final leg of the series.
rAll six games will be broadcast nationally on Rogers Sportsnet.
rThe Canadian Hockey League is extremely pleased to host this historic series between two of the worldÆs great hockey countries,ö said CHL President and OHL Commissioner David Branch. ôThis is the final step in the identification of our countryÆs top players for the National Junior Team who will compete in the world Junior Championships in Finland this Christmas.ö
rThe CHL also announced that RE/MAX is the title sponsor of the six-game series.
rWe are very excited to be a part of what will be a historic, entertaining and skilled competition between the two great hockey powers,ö said Elton Ash, Vice-President, Regional Director RE/MAX Western Canada. ôThe CHL represents that grass roots dream as young men aspire to reach their goals. RE/MAX is part of grass roots Canada where hockey is king and is the game in town. We not only represent those home owners who spend countless hours in rinks but we as CanadaÆs largest real estate organization have our own hockey mom and dads, who spend those long hours supporting our own children at the local rinks as they aspire to be the best.
rThe RE/MAX Canada/Russia Challenge will be an integral part of the identification process for CanadaÆs National Junior Team final selection camp. Each league has a management team who will work with Blair Mackasey, Hockey CanadaÆs head scout, to select the roster of 22 players who will represent each regional league. The rosters will be announced in October.
rCanada and Russia have finished first and second in the World Junior Championships eight times in the past 18 years, including last January when Russia defeated Canada 3-2 to win the gold medal in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Russia has 12 gold medals in World Junior play, including each of the past two years. Canada is second on the all-time list with 10.
rWhenever you have a Canada versus Russia match-up it is exciting, said Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson. The tradition behind this rivalry is legendary, and it well known that any time these two countries face off, fans can expect a great game.
rThe QMJHL squad will be coached by Mario Durocher of the Lewiston MAINEiacs, the head coach for CanadaÆs entry at the 2004 World Junior Championships. Team Canada assistant coach Jim Hulton, head coach of the Kingston Frontenacs, will be behind the bench for the OHL team.
r2003 RE/MAX Canada/Russia Challenge
rSchedule of Games
rGame 1 – Monday November 17 at London, Ontario
rGame 2 – Wednesday November 19 at Sarnia, Ontario
rGame 3 – Thursday November 20 at Halifax, Nova Scotia
rGame 4 – Monday November 24 at Rimouski, Quebec
rGame 5 – Wednesday November 26 at Calgary, Alberta
rGame 6 – Thursday November 27 at Brandon, Manitoba
rFor More Information:
rCanadian Hockey League Ontario Hockey League
rAaron Bell
rDirector of Information
rTel: (416) 332-9711, ext. 228
rFax: (416) 332-1477
rE-Mail: [email protected]
rwww.chl.ca
rWestern Hockey League
rLeroy McKinnon
rDirector, Communications
rTel: (403) 693-3040
rFax: (403)693-3031
rE-Mail: [email protected]
rwww.whl.ca
rQuebec Major Junior Hockey League
rClaude RomprT
rCommunications
rTel: (450) 442-3590
rFax: (450) 442-3593
rE-Mail: [email protected]
rwww.lhjmq.qc.carrr
