TFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 6, 2005

ONTARIO WOMEN’S HOCKEY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES ITS 2005 UNDER 18 NATIONAL CHALLENGE ROSTERS

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO

Forty of Ontario’s best female hockey players have been selected to play for Team Ontario at Hockey Canada’s prestigious Under 18 National Challenge to take place January 26 to 30, 2005 in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Players are 17 years or younger as of December 31, 2004. 

The Championship is an eight-team competition featuring many of Canada’s prominent young players. Team Ontario Red will play in Pool B with Manitoba, Atlantic and British Columbia. Team Ontario Blue will play in Pool A with Saskatchewan, Alberta and Quebec Teams will play a round robin within their pool. The top two teams from each pool will move into cross-over games to decide who will advance to the gold and bronze medal games. The third and fourth place teams from each pool will play a final cross-over game.

In addition to showcasing exceptional players, the event will also feature high performance female officials from across the country. Hockey Canada has selected Jill Coombes ( Oshawa)as a Referee as well as Jodie Van Spronsen (Toronto) and Sylena Mutsaers (Kintore) from the OWHA to do the lines..

The Ontario Women's Hockey Association teams each consist of twenty players plus team staff. Participants were selected from over 200 talented players who participated in the selection process. There are several thousand players in the eligible age group who participate on competitive teams within the OWHA.

Team Ontario Red, which consists of the highest ranking players, includes Meghan Agosta, a forward who played for the National Women’s Team in their gold medal victory over Team USA in the 2004 Four Nations Cup. Other members of Team Red include Haley Irwin and Alison Domenico who, along with Agosta played for Team Ontario who were gold medal champions at the 2003 Canada Winter Games in New Brunswick.

Team Ontario Red Head Coach, Stephanie White notes, “ I am very excited to be a part of Team Ontario for the 2005 Women’s Under-18 Challenge. As a coaching staff, we’re all pleased with the talented group of players assembled. We are looking forward to a successful tournament.”

Stephanie is a long-time participant of the OWHA as both a player and coach and is fully certified at the NCCP Advanced 1 level with her Level 3 theory.  She is joined by assistant coaches Vern Ladouceur and Dave St. Germain. Head Coach, Stephanie White was an Assistant Coach with the OWHA’s Canada Winter Games gold medal team in 2003. Assistant Coach, Vern Ladouceur was assistant coach with Toronto Aeros who were 2004 Esso Women’s Nationals Champions.

TEAM RED

TEAM RED STAFF

Team Ontario Blue also consists of twenty exceptionally talented players who will challenge the competitors, including Team Ontario Red, for the medals. All players on this team are new to National level participation, but many have long lists of Provincial and League Championships behind them.

Team Ontario Blue Head Coach, Fay McLaughlin stated,  “The coaching staff is extremely pleased with the group of athletes chosen to represent Team Ontario in this National Championship.  Their talent, unwavering commitment to the game and their strength of character are the assets required to compete and contend in this high performance event.”

Fay has also participated in the OWHA for many years. She is fully certified at the NCCP Advanced 1 Level with her Level 3 theory. She is also an instructor with the OWHA in both the coach and trainers programmes.  Fay is joined by Assistant Coaches Craig Chandler and Ron Eadie.

TEAM BLUE

TEAM BLUE STAFF

Further information on the event visit the Hockey Canada web site :       www.hockeycanada.ca
For information on the Ontario Women's Hockey Association::              www.owha.on.ca
For further information, please contact:

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.