August 7, 2001
NR.074

CANADA'S NATIONAL WOMEN'S TEAM BEGINS
FULL-TIME TRAINING IN CALGARY

CALGARY, AB - Thirty of Canada's top women's hockey players have arrived in Calgary, AB as Canada's National Women's Team begins seven months of training in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the Canadian Hockey Association announced on Tuesday.

Head coach Danièle Sauvageau and assistant coaches Melody Davidson and Wally Kozak will run the players through on-ice and off-ice training, a total of twenty-one international exhibition games and eight games against Canadian Select Teams through funding from Sport Canada's Podium 2002 program.

Eleven of Canada's international matches will be held in Canada, with games in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland. Canada's National Women's Team will also be playing in various U.S. locations and in Finland for the 2001 Four Nations Cup.

Over the course of the 2001-2002 season leading to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Canada will face the U.S. a total of ten times, Sweden five times, Russia four times and Finland twice.

The team opens camp at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena on Wednesday, August 8th, with a first group on the ice from 1pm-2:30pm, and the second group on from 2:30pm-5pm.

Practice schedules will be on a week-to-week basis. For up-to-date information on the team's schedule, contact André Brin, Manager, Media Relations (403-777-3609/403-703-8791)

Players and staff will be available for interviews following each practice. Media requests should be directed to either Mr. Brin or J.J. Hebert, Coordinator, Media Relations (403-777-4552/403-830-9997).