Canada to Open Defence of Gold Medal Against Slovenia in Halifax on May 2^nd

CALGARY - Hockey Canada has received confirmation from the IIHF on the approval of the schedule for the 2008 IIHF World Men's Championship, to be held from May 2-18, 2008 in Quebec City, QC and Halifax, NS. The 2008 event will mark the first IIHF World Men's Championship to be held in Canada. 

Canada, the defending gold medalists, will open the Halifax portion of the World Championship on Friday, May 2^nd, against newly-promoted Slovenia at the Halifax Metro Centre. Canada's preliminary round schedule also includes games versus Latvia on May 4^th and against the USA on May 6^th. All of Canada's preliminary round games will be played in Halifax.

Quebec City's schedule opens on May 2^nd with an afternoon match-up between Denmark and the Czech Republic and an evening game between Russia and Italy. The entire medal round will be played in Quebec City, including both semi-final games on May 16^th, the bronze medal game on May 17^th and the gold medal game on May 18^th.

Halifax and Quebec City will each be hosting two pools of teams for the preliminary round, as follows:

Halifax, NS				Quebec City, QC
Pool B		Pool C		Pool A		Pool D
CANADA USA Latvia Slovenia		Finland Slovakia Germany Norway		Sweden Switzerland Belarus France		Czech Republic Russia Denmark Italy

The 2008 IIHF World Men's Championship will consist of 56 games over 17 days, culminating in the gold medal game at Le Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City on May 18^th. Both of the semi-finals will take place on May 16^th in Quebec City, with the quarterfinals - two in Halifax, two in Quebec City - set for May 14^th.

Ticket sales have been strong in both markets and this is expected to continue when additional ticket packages are offered in both markets. Various ticket packages - which should suit the needs of all hockey fans - will be announced later this year for both Halifax and Quebec City.

"Halifax is getting excited about hosting thousands of hockey fans, media and dignitaries from across Europe in May 2008," says Fred MacGillivray, Chair of the 2008 IIHF World Championship. "Now that we have the schedule of games for the World Championship, the planning has begun to hold community cultural events for both our citizens and visitors to participate in together."

"Hockey fans of Quebec City are among the most passionate and they will have the chance to attend the IIHF World Championship for the first time in our city in May," said co-presidents of the Quebec organizing committee, Jacques Tanguay and Claude Rousseau. "The excitement of having this tournament, which is being held during Quebec's 400^th anniverary festivities, will represent one of the biggest sporting events ever. We know that a lot of people will attend games and they will witness a great calibre of hockey."

For more information on the 2008 IIHF World Men's Championship, visit www.hockey2008.ca.

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In addition, the 2008 IIHF World Championship will also serve as a qualifier for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada (February 16 - 28). The top nine teams in the IIHF World Ranking - determined immediately following the completion of the 2008 World Championship - will be automatically qualified for Vancouver 2010. The three remaining teams for the 12-team Olympic tournament will be determined following the Final Olympic Qualification Tournaments in February 2009.

The 2008 IIHF World Championship will be 4^th Major Hockey Event Halifax has Hosted (2004 Women's World Hockey Championship, 2003 World Junior Hockey Championship and the 2000 MasterCard Memorial Cup)

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Hockey Canada is pleased to also announce that in partnership with the IIHF and other national hockey associations, that they will be is hosting for the 1st time, a World Adult Recreation Challenge in both Quebec City & Halifax.

Teams will have the option of attending either the Halifax tournament which will take place May 5^th-10^th, or the Quebec City event which takes place May 8^th-11^th, 2008. Not only will this be a first class event, it will be in conjunction with the 100^th Anniversary of the IIHF, as well as being held during the IIHF Men's World Championship.

With over 140 adult recreation teams across the world, and four (4) divisions by age (19-35, 35-45, 45-55, 55- Plus), these two tournaments will be a life time experience for players and families from around the globe.

To date, over 34 teams have registered for the event in Halifax, of which, 15 are international teams and the remaining teams are from across Canada.

For more information on the World Adult Recreation Challenge, please contact Bryan Swain - Manager, Adult Recreational Hockey, Phone: 613-562-5677 ext. 2317 or hockeycanada.ca

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For Halifax Media wishing to speak to Fred MacGillivray, Chair, 2008 IIHF World Championship, please contact Leroy McKinnon, Event Manager at 902-421-1302, ext. 252.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Brad Pascall Sr. Director, Men’s National Teams & Communications Hockey Canada (403) 777-4556 hockeycanada.ca

André Brin Manager, Communications Hockey Canada (403) 777-4557 hockeycanada.ca

Chris Jurewicz Coord., Media Relations Hockey Canada (403) 777-4552 hockeycanada.ca

Jason La Rose Coord., Hockey Information Hockey Canada (403) 777-4553 hockeycanada.ca

 

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