December 15, 2001
NR.116

NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM RELEASES FINAL FIVE PLAYERS
TO ARRIVE AT FINAL ROSTER OF 22 PLAYERS

NORTH YORK, ON - Canada's National Junior Team released five players on Saturday morning: goaltenders Shane Bendera and Ray Emery, forwards Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Michel Ouellet and defenceman Steve Eminger, Head Coach Stan Butler announced to arrive at the 22-player roster which will represent Canada at the 2002 World Junior Hockey Championship in the Czech Republic.

The five players were returned to their respective Canadian Hockey League teams, Bendera to the Red Deer Rebels (WHL), Emery to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL), Bouchard to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL), Ouellet to the Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL) and Eminger to the Kitchener Rangers (OHL).

Butler (Brampton Battalion, OHL) and assistant coaches Marc Habscheid (Kelowna Rockets, WHL) and Mike Kelly (North Bay Centennials, OHL), along with Barry Trapp, Canadian Hockey's Director of Scouting, have been evaluating the players through daily work-outs, two intra-squad games and two exhibition games.

Canada's National Junior Team will be introduced later Saturday morning for a team photo at the Beatrice Ice Gardens on the York University Campus at 9:15 am (ET). At that time, Head Coach Stan Butler will also announce his captain and assistant captains. The entire team will also be introduced at the Men’s Olympic Team Press Conference at the Hockey Hall of Fame at 12:30 pm (ET). The players and coaches will then be part of the pre-game ceremonies of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens game at the Air Canada Centre.

The official web site of Team Canada at the World Junior Championship is www.canadianhockey.ca. www.canadianhockey.ca will have the most up to date information on the WJHC from the Czech Republic, including a daily journal, behind the scene photos, contests, player profiles, and much more. Check out www.canadianhockey.ca for the latest information on Canada’s team at the World Junior Championship.