FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 15, 2006

The Ontario Women’s Hockey Association is pleased to announce details of the second annual PWHL (Provincial Women’s Hockey League) Championship Weekend. The event is being hosted by Windsor Wildcats with games being played Thursday March 16th through Sunday March 19th at Forest Glade Arena (All Days) and South Windsor Arena (Thursday only).

PWHL President Bob Bell notes, “We appreciate the City of Windsor laying out the red carpet for the PWHL teams. We know the residents of Windsor will enjoy some of the best hockey Ontario has to offer.”

“This league features the top level of competition at this age level anywhere in the world”, stated Fran Rider, Executive Director of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association. “Many players have played for Provincial Championship as well as the OWHA’s National Under 18 Championship Teams. Many more are vying for future positions for various universities and Team Canada.”

The PWHL, backed by founding sponsor, The Home Depot, operates under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association and features many of the world’s best players at the 21 years and under age level. Team Canada Olympic Gold Medalist, Meghan Agosta, played on the Windsor Wildcats team in the 2004-05 season. We are pleased to announce that Meghan will be honoured at the banquet on Thursday, March 16th.

The competition over the weekend will feature thirty-one games with the first puck drop on Thursday, March 16th at 11:00 am. Sixteen teams participated in regular season play with the top four advancing to the “A” pool in the Championship series. The bottom four teams were relegated to “B” pool. The 5th to 12th placed teams, in regular season play, were paired off in best of three series with the four winners advancing to pool A. The four teams losing the series will play in pool “B”.

Participating “A” Pool Teams

Participating “B” Pool Teams

PWHA CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND GAME SCHEDULE

SW - South Windsor Arena              FG - Forest Glade Arena

This league also showcases the Ontario Women's Hockey Association elite officials who have been specially selected to work PWHL games. Many of these officials have Provincial, National and International experience. The officiating program is under the direction of OWHA, Referee-in-Chief, Laurie Taylor-Bolton who has an extensive background as an Instructor, Supervisor and On-Ice official. She refereed at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano.

The Provincial Women’s Hockey League features superb competition that is unmatched throughout the world.

Please watch the PWHL website for general information and games schedules.
www.pwhl.ca

For further information on female hockey in Ontario and a link to the PWHL
www.owha.on.ca

Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA)
5155 Spectrum Way Building # 3, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5A1
Tel: (905) 282-9980 Fax: (905) 282-9982 email info@owha.on.ca

OWHA VALUES
Fair Play, Fun, Excellence, Good Citizenship,
Integrity & honesty, Equity.

OWHA MISSION
Through a provincially unified, collective voice, the OWHA promotes, provides and develops opportunities for girls and women to play female hockey in Ontario.