Team Canada to visit Ontario before 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, announced Wednesday that four Ontario cities will host pre-competition games this December prior to the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y., including three featuring Canada’s National Junior Team.

Canada is scheduled to play Switzerland in Oshawa on December 20, Sweden in Toronto on December 21 and Finland in Kitchener on December 23. A fourth pre-competition game between Sweden and Switzerland will take place in St. Catharines, also on December 23.

Game time for the Canada-Switzerland game December 20 in Oshawa and Sweden-Switzerland game December 23 in St. Catharines is 7 p.m. ET. The Canada-Sweden game December 21 in Toronto and Canada-Finland game December 23 in Kitchener both start at 7:30 p.m. ET.

“We’re pleased to work with the Canadian Hockey League to hold international games in four fantastic junior hockey communities leading up to this year’s World Junior Championship,” said Brad Pascall, vice-president of hockey operations/national teams for Hockey Canada. “The three additional games for our National Junior Team will give Canadian players a great chance to mesh on the ice, and face off against top calibre opponents, before heading to Buffalo.”

“On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League and our member teams, we are honoured to host Team Canada and a series of pre-competition games in our markets that will provide our fans with another opportunity to watch world class hockey in advance of the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship,” said CHL president David Branch.  “Our partnership with Hockey Canada is outstanding and provides our players and coaches with the chance to represent our country as they play against the best competition in the world.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Oshawa, Ont. – December 20, 2010 – Canada vs. Switzerland: Tickets for the Canada-Switzerland game on December 20 at General Motors Centre, home of the CHL’s Oshawa Generals, range in price from $25 to $50, plus services fees where applicable, and are available starting November 2 at the arena box office, by visiting the arena website at www.generalmotorscentre.com or by calling 1-877-436-8811.

Toronto, Ont. – December 21, 2010 – Canada vs. Sweden: Tickets for the Canada-Sweden game on December 21 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto range in price from $19 to $45, plus applicable services fees, and are available starting at noon ET on October 29 through TicketMaster, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 416-872-5000. Ticket packages for the Ultimate Junior Experience, which includes the Canada-Sweden game, in addition to the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be hosted in conjunction with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment on January 18 and 19, are also available at prices ranging from $40 to $86, plus HST and service fees.

Kitchener, Ont. – December 23, 2010 – Canada vs. Finland: Tickets for the Canada-Finland game on December 23 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, home of the CHL’s Kitchener Rangers are $26 plus services fees where applicable, and are available starting October 27 at the arena box office, at the Centre in the Square box office, by visiting the arena website at www.theaud.ca and by calling 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977.

St. Catharines, Ont. – December 23, 2010 – Sweden vs. Switzerland: Tickets for the Sweden-Switzerland game on December 23 at the Gatorade Garden City Complex in St. Catharines, home of the CHL’s Niagara IceDogs, range in price from $14 to $19.50, plus services fees where applicable, and are available starting at 10 a.m. ET on November 1 through all IceDogs ticket outlets, including the team office, the arena box office and through Ticketmaster, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 905-481-4444.

Hockey Canada will be announcing details on Canada’s National Junior Team’s selection camp and the selection camp roster over the coming two months. Selection camp dates will be from December 11-15, 2010 in Toronto, Ont.

For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team and the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca.